Scripture
Luke 8:1b-3 (ESV) – “He took his twelve disciples with him, 2
along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among
them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; 3 Joanna, the
wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were
contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.”
Luke 8:26-29 (ESV) – “Then they sailed to the country
of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 When Jesus had stepped out on
land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time, he had
worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. 28 When
he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice,
“What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do
not torment me.” 29 For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of
the man.
Luke 8:43-48 (ESV) – “A woman in the crowd had suffered for
twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. 44 Coming up
behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding
stopped. 45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said,
“Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.” 46 But Jesus said,
“Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” 47
When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble
and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why
she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. 48 “Daughter,”
he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
Observation
Luke was a Gentile (Greek) Christian and a
doctor and the only author of the New Testament that was non-Jewish. He is
writing the gospel from a different perspective, especially from the viewpoint
of non-Jewish religion where “outsiders” and women were marginalised or looked
down upon.
Throughout the gospels Jesus made a point of breaking
the human and cultural traditions that were harmful so some people by reaching
out to the marginalised groups – the lepers, the tax collectors,
demon-possessed, women, and roman soldiers, amongst other. In the events
written down in Luke chapter 8 it is no different.
Jesus was a rabbi and took the women (Mary of
Magdalene) to travel with him and the disciples. He saw them, He valued them,
He delivered them from evil. Out of love and appreciation they followed Jesus,
learned from His teachings and took care of Him and the disciples.
The demon possessed man who was naked and lived
alone among the tombs did not deter Jesus, in fact we read that Jesus already
commanded the evil spirits in the man to go, even before the man saw Jesus.
Further down in the passage we read that the man was sitting at the feet of
Jesus, clothed and sane. Not only did Jesus deliver the man, but He also
clothed and took him under His wing, allowing the man to sit at His feet.
The woman with the issue of blood was cast out of society, because she was perceived unclean, yet when she touched the garment of Jesus out of desperation, he did not despise her. She was instantly healed and He showed compassion on her and admired her faith in Him. And He blessed her to GO IN PEACE (untroubled, undisturbed).
Application
I also once felt like a marginalised cast-out,
but when I truly met Jesus and entered into a relationship with Him, He
accepted me, healed my wounds and brokenness. He wants to do the same for each
and every one of you.
Jesus will not despise or reject any person who
comes to Him. In John 6:37 Jesus said: 37 All that My Father gives Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to
Me I will most certainly not cast out [I
will never, never reject anyone who follows Me].
Cling to this promise today and come to the One who deeply
loves you and cares for you.
Prayer
Abba Father, Lord Almighty thank you that You care for each
one of us deeply, that we matter to you, that our lives matter to you. Help us
to surrender fully into your everlasting love and care, so that we might live a
life fully surrendered in obedience to Your will. Amen.
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PAS HESMA - JCRC SA
