CAC LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR MAY 24, 2022 : TOPIC – PIG OR MEN?
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Christ Apostolic Church Living Water Daily Devotional Guide
Day 144/365
Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
PIG OR MEN?
READ MATTHEW 8V28-34
28 KJV:And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
29 KJV:And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
30 KJV:And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
31 KJV:So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
32 KJV:And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
33 KJV:And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.
34 KJV:And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.
Memorise: KJV:And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.
(Matthew 8v34)
Exposition
It was a peculiar scene, Jesus just helped the entire city drive out powerful demons, but surprisingly, all people wanted was for Jesus to quite their community. Why? Most likely, they weren’t happy how Jesus drove the demons into the herd of pigs that reluctantly perished in the sea, under powerful demonic influence. Witnessing such a scene, the herders fled and told all in the city (Mk.8v32-33), but obviously gave a report skewed in their driven out the demons made them heavily lose their possessions (pigs) that were their source of livelihood. The city could be in fear that they could lose more, if Jesus had stayed. In a way, it was preferred that the demon-possessed men stayed that way for the herdsmen to keep their pigs.
By asking Jesus to leave, the city-dweller made a choice. They preferred not to have witnessed God’s power to losing whatever the world could offer. It is easy to judge them, anyway. It is easy to say that they were foolish to have missed the Messiah, and given in to fear. Yet, we can just be as foolish, at times. Don’t we sometimes easily choose possessions over Jesus? Be objective: Hope you won’t choose those “pigs” over and against the salvation of fellow humans? We behave this way when we cower at the inconvenience of caring for people around us, or when we prefer spending time at work to witnessing to unbelieving friends or family members. We do this when we pretend to be pious Christians but deep down, we can bearly part with what we have, for the sake of the Gospel. We do this when we prefer to protect our self-interest than to risk it for the sake of Christ kingdom.
Would you prefer holding back “your resources” at the expense of the dying souls? Pigs, or men? Make your choice today? Either way comes with rewards.
Prayer points
1. Let us pray that God will help us to choose Him and His will ahead of what we think is important to us.
2. Help us, Lord, to have faith in You, and seek Your kingdom first in all things.
3. Pray that the blood of Jesus will destroy satanic veils shielding people from embracing the Gospel.
Extra Reading for Today: Nehemiah 1-4
HAVE A WONDERFUL TUESDAY AS YOU STAY SAFE 🥰 ….. SHALOM!