God healed many people and freed many souls from the clutches of Satan’s power and we saw demons being driven out of people. We came across a man, demon possessed, named Legion. He was controlled by many demons, hence his name Legion.
He arrived at my feet, wild, bleeding and screaming obscenities. His naked body was cut and he was racked with pain. He had been in this condition for a long time and with the strength of the madness in his mind he tore himself from the chains that had been used to try and contain him.
Thank you gospelimages.com
The demons flung him to the ground and shrieked for me to leave them alone. Being in Satan’s power enabled them to recognise who I was and they begged me to let them go and to enter a herd of pigs who were quietly feeding on the hillside, there were about two thousand in all.
When I agreed, they left this pitiful creature and entered the pigs, the entire herd plunged down into the lake. Legion was instantly released from the spirits. His gentle smile touched my heart. We had no choice but to leave the area at once, the incident with the pigs had scared the village people and they begged us to go.
Many people showed enormous faith. They brought their sick relatives and some even believed that by touching my cloak would enable them to be healed. God used His power in this wonderful way and the numbers coming to Him were increasing daily.
Lazarus
The crowds were flocking to hear me speak and the message God wanted me to teach, was about sacrifice, following the lesson in sharing food, by the young boy. God will bless our gifts and multiply them in order to minister to the needs of others, just as He did when He blessed the food which was given when He fed the five thousand.
I wanted my disciples to appreciate that although food for the body is important – food for the soul is what really matters. “I am the bread of life, no one who comes to me will ever be hungry again. Those who believe in me will never thirst.” (John 6:35) “He who believes in me already has eternal life.” (John 6: 47) These were the things I said when I was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
Thank you gospelimages.com
Despite the miraculous signs that my disciples had witnessed first-hand, they were doubtful and in ignorance rejected the things I was trying to teach them. “You who come to me are chosen by my Father, but one of you is a devil.” I was referring to Judas Iscariot, who would betray me. I continued to teach in the villages around Galilee, my home town. The Jewish leaders had now begun to plot against me in earnest.
After my brothers had left for the festival of shelters, I also went, but in secret for my own safety. The people there were afraid to speak about me favourably and they exhibited very mixed views.
The Jewish leaders were amazed by my knowledge because of my lack of studying. I explained that my words came directly from God and I was not seeking any recognition for myself. To be honest that seemed to inflame them further against me.
Their animosity was growing and they began quoting the laws of Moses, pointing out how it was wrong to heal anyone on a Sabbath. They began discussing whether I could be the Messiah. Those who knew my origins disputed it, but some who had seen miracles happen said that no ordinary man would have been able to accomplish them.
There was a lot of arguing and I was in real danger of being arrested, but the time was not yet right. I slipped away, my breath coming in tense gasps as I tried to control it.
As we were travelling within the country, news arrived concerning my dear friend Lazarus. He was very sick, my first instinct was to leave straight away and hastily go to him, but I had so much still to teach and it was a further two days before we finally left to go to Judea.
I had to tell people about God’s love; my purpose could not be put aside despite the call from my heart. I continued to minister to the crowds and hence I had no choice but to delay going to my friend. My heart had somersaulted when I received the news from Mary and Martha about their brother’s illness and I longed to drop everything and rush to his side.
Thank you uffiziartworks. Christ in the house of Martha, Mary and Lazarus
They were all my dear friends and I loved them dearly. They were right to expect an immediate response from me and I’m sure were acutely disappointed when I delayed travelling to be with them. But I had to put my Fathers work ahead of my personal feelings. My disciples were unaware that Lazarus had already died and they tried to dissuade me from returning to Judea.
It was only a short time before that my life had been in danger from the Jewish leaders. I knew though that the time hadn’t quite arrived for me to be arrested and that for now I would be safe. Once the decision was made, we began our journey and covered ground, travelling as swiftly as possible. God’s glory would be seen when I raised Lazarus from the dead! It was as it should be.
On our arrival in Bethany we were met by many grieving people. We were told that my dear friend had been placed in a tomb, four days before. Many friends and relatives had travelled a great distance to support Mary and Martha and their arrival before mine must have really hurt Lazarus’s sisters.
Tears cascaded unhindered down my cheeks. To be torn between my love to serve my Father and His people as opposed to my love for my friends had been a very difficult choice for me to have to make.
The mourners travelled behind us at a respectful distance. Mary and Martha both addressed me, saying that their brother would not have died if I had been present. Mary spoke a little accusingly, I understood her words were uttered in grief but it pulled at my heartstrings when she voiced it. Martha who had the greater faith, believed that God would, ‘even now,’ grant whatever I asked of Him.
My own deep grief was evident as I mingled with the other mourners. My eyes were brimming with the tears that I couldn’t stop from flowing freely. My chest was heaving with sadness and compassion as we shared in feelings of loss and distress.
My own death flashed across my thoughts and highlighted the misery my own friends and family would have to endure when that happened. It added enormously to my grief. Witnessing the emotion around me increased my own great sadness. With trembling legs and a heavy heart, I walked silently to the tomb.
I asked for the stone to be rolled back so that I could see into the dark place. Martha was immediately concerned about the strong stench of death which would be instantly released if the stone was removed after so many days. I reiterated my words to her. “Didn’t I tell you, you would see God’s glory, if you believed?”
Gazing up into heaven, in a strong commanding voice, whilst silently thanking God, I said “Lazarus, come out.”
The Raising of Lazarus by Carl Bloch Thank you freechristimages.com
At once my friend stood up, still wrapped in grave clothes, he came out into the bright sunlight. The joy which transpired amongst those present couldn’t be contained. That day many bowled down and worshiped God!
I thanked God again. My delay in being with Lazarus before he died, had ensured that God’s timing would reinforce a belief in resurrection. I knew that later after my crucifixion, they would remember that I have victory over death. This act had again displayed God’s power and I knew that my disciples would indeed recall these events.
There was however a huge weight in my heart. I realised that this public incident would fuel the inevitable movement of the authorities, against me. The time was approaching and I would be arrested and subsequently put to death, instigated by my own people, the Jews and prophesy would be fulfilled! From that moment on, the Jewish leaders were determined to get rid of me.
My time here amongst my sheep was coming to an end. I needed to warn my disciples about the future. I knew their hearts would be dispirited and their minds would fearfully reject the prediction of my death.
Carole Crossley
Chapter One – Jesus Leaves Home
Chapter Two – The Temptations of Jesus
Chapter Three – Jesus Looks for his Disciples
Chapter Four – Jesus’ Ministry
Chapter Five – The Miracles of Jesus
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