_Into the country of the Gadarenes._ THE COUNTRY OF THE GADARENES I spent a night and part of two days in the vicinity of the Lake of Tiberias. My tent was pitched near the Hot Baths, about a mile south of the town of Tiberias, and, consequently, near the south end of the lake. In looking across th... [ Continue Reading ]
_But when he saw Jesus afar off._ THE SINNER’S PLACE Jesus is afar off in the sinner’s apprehension, and the sinner is in very deed far off from God. 1. As to character. What a difference between the demoniac and Jesus. 2. As to knowledge. The demoniac knew Jesus, but knew little of His love. 3... [ Continue Reading ]
_What have I to do with Thee, Jesus, Thou Son of the most high God: _ JESUS CONFRONTING DEMONS I. The devil cries out against the intrusion of Christ. 1. Christ’s nature is so contrary to that of the devil, war is inevitable when they meet. 2. There are no designs of grace for Satan; as, therefo... [ Continue Reading ]
_My name is Legion._ THE LEGION OF SIN Truly the name of sin is Legion. It is anger, malice, intemperance, murder, impurity, unfaithfulness, dishonesty, equivocation, dissimulation, falsehood, hypocrisy, ingratitude, disobedience, impatience, discontentment, envy, covetousness; it is profanity, fo... [ Continue Reading ]
_Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them._ THE DEMONIZED SWINE To clear away the difficulty presented by this miracle of judgment, we must remember- (1) Pork was forbidden for food to Israel and with good reason. The pigs and the dogs are the scavengers of Syria; the pig itself is vas... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind._ THE JOY OF FREEDOM FROM SATANIC TYRANNY At the death of Queen Mary of England, several Protestants were in the prisons awaiting martyrdom. Who can tell their joy when it was announced that the tyrant was dead and they were free! But what is deliveranc... [ Continue Reading ]
_To depart out of their coasts._ THE SAVIOUR SACRIFICED RATHER THAN SINFUL GAIN A great many men cannot afford to have Christ. Here is a man who is renting his buildings for the most obscene and abominable purposes in the world; his revenues depend upon lust and vice; and, if the Spirit of God come... [ Continue Reading ]
_Prayed Him that he might be with Him._ THE UNANSWERED PRAYER I. The probable reason that led this restored demoniac to offer this prayer. 1. A vague but very dreadful fear may have taken possession of him that, perhaps, in the absence of Christ, his deliverer, these demoniac powers might again r... [ Continue Reading ]
_Prayed Him that he might be with Him._ THE UNANSWERED PRAYER I. The probable reason that led this restored demoniac to offer this prayer. 1. A vague but very dreadful fear may have taken possession of him that, perhaps, in the absence of Christ, his deliverer, these demoniac powers might again r... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jairus by name._ A PROPER PRAYER Better prayers, perhaps, had been offered. He would have shown more faith if he had prayed like the centurion (Luke 7:7). But, though he does not show such strong faith, yet it is a good prayer. For it is (1) humble: he falls at Christ’s feet; (2) believing: he... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jairus by name._ A PROPER PRAYER Better prayers, perhaps, had been offered. He would have shown more faith if he had prayed like the centurion (Luke 7:7). But, though he does not show such strong faith, yet it is a good prayer. For it is (1) humble: he falls at Christ’s feet; (2) believing: he... [ Continue Reading ]
_And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years._ THE POWER OF FEEBLE FAITH I. Very imperfect faith may be genuine faith. It was intensely ignorant trust. Again, her trust was very selfish. It was also weakened and interrupted by much distrust. II. Christ answers the imperfect fait... [ Continue Reading ]
_And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years._ THE POWER OF FEEBLE FAITH I. Very imperfect faith may be genuine faith. It was intensely ignorant trust. Again, her trust was very selfish. It was also weakened and interrupted by much distrust. II. Christ answers the imperfect fait... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jairus by name._ A PROPER PRAYER Better prayers, perhaps, had been offered. He would have shown more faith if he had prayed like the centurion (Luke 7:7). But, though he does not show such strong faith, yet it is a good prayer. For it is (1) humble: he falls at Christ’s feet; (2) believing: he... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be not afraid, only believe._ ONLY BELIEVE The circumstances in which our Lord uttered these simple but memorable words … Did He say this for the sake of Jairus alone? Nay, surely not! I take these precious words of our Lord, and now especially apply them to one who is seeking forgiveness, but wh... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jairus by name._ A PROPER PRAYER Better prayers, perhaps, had been offered. He would have shown more faith if he had prayed like the centurion (Luke 7:7). But, though he does not show such strong faith, yet it is a good prayer. For it is (1) humble: he falls at Christ’s feet; (2) believing: he... [ Continue Reading ]