Matthew 8:28–9:1; Mark 5:1–21; Luke 8:26–40
(Still Day 3 on the Itinerary!)
| Goal: Today we are going to dive into the scripture and discover the significance of a place in Israel, known as Kursi. |
| According to Wikipedia, (https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Policy:Terms_of_Use) Kursi has two names: “Chorazin (Greek: /koʊˈreɪzɪn/ or Korazim in Hebrew. This was an ancient village in the Roman periods. The land is famous, because Jesus healed two demon possessed men. |
We are going to be looking in the Christian gospel today! How exciting? The word of God is living and is true! But this account is frightening! It is frightening, because we are discussing demonic possession. A demon actually takes a human host? Yes! It is recorded here in Matthew, but also Luke and Mark.
A side note we should consider before we go on with our study: Here in Matthew, Luke, and Mark, the demons were able to freely roam the Earth. For example, the Holy Spirit lead me to another scripture and it is in the book of Jude. Here scripture informs us that one Demond is imprisoned.
Let’s read what that scripture Hass to say!
Jude 1:6 “6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great “
The Two demon possessed men, took residence in a cave, because people were afraid of them. Today, Israel has put an outside church there; so that, when Christians visit, they have a place to study.
| The graveyard stood on the Korazim Plateau in the Upper Galilee on a hill above the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee 2.5 mi (4.0 km) from Capernaum is what is now the territory of modern Israel |
Right here, in this land, two demon possessed boys, were healed by Jesus. The story is all inspiring and worth our investigation.
Scripture informs us that Jesus and his disciples were coming from Capernaum. They traveled 2.5 miles to Kursi. So, if you could run all the way you would have to be good physical health. You could’ve made it to Kursi in about 40 minutes.
In addition, we can note that Kursi is on the left of the Sea of Galilee.
Let’s begin todays reading in Matthew chapter 8.
Matthew 8 Jesus and his disciples came over to Kursi on a boat ride. He performed a miracle of calming the sea in the storm. Today, in the land of Israel, the government has built a temple in remembrance in scripture. Of course, this is to attract attention, and Christians visiting the holy land. Standing in the temple, you can see the caves in the background.
28 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 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?
Now, when Jesus entered the scene, something amazing happened. The two demonic men made a beeline for Jesus. Anyone else that came into the graveyard would have been met with hostility.
Today, people like to capture demonic beings on camera, and share their videos. Getting up close and personal with a Demond is not a good idea, because they can really put a hurt to you. According to scripture, they can possess and take over a human being.
Scripture tells us that when the two men came to Jesus and dropped to their knees. God was able to reach deep inside the soul. It’s interesting, that demons know who Jesus is, but humanity, and specifically the unsaved question Jesus’s every move.
So, from this scripture, we can infer that there are demons walking to, and fro on the earth. Now, I have been taught that demon possession is real. However, going against popular beliefs, Christians cannot be demon possessed. Why? Do you ask, because the devils tremble at the sheer presence and verbalization of the word Jesus.
James 4:7 (New Living Translation) “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
In addition, if you are a child of God your soul is already taken. Scripture tells us that we are in dwelled and filled with the Holy Ghost!
Ephesians 5:18 urges us, “Be filled with the Spirit.” What does that mean? Don’t we get filled with the Spirit when we’re saved? Jesus said, “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thrust.”
Also, 1 John 5:18 records the following information: 1 John 5:18 (King James Version) “18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
At this point, Matthew seems to abbreviate the events. For this reason, I would like to continue the story in the book of mark.
In the book of Mark focuses on the main demon. People, mainly skeptics, have told me this is where the Bible has a contradiction. However, the book of Matthew and the Mark complement each other. For example, when I was a teacher, and had to break up fights, the description was always slightly different. The story was slightly different, because the bystanders remember different things about the event. It was also different, because of the position; in which, the bystander was standing.
Now, I would like for us to turn to the book of Mark where we will continue the same account. Mark: one says the following:
“4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”
Cutting yourself with stones is a horrible way to live. I have known a few people who cut and it’s horrible. They often hide the scars, but worst of all it’s usually followed by the return ov guilt and shame.
It is one thing to live in a jail cell, but it is a whole other way to live life in chains. In a confined area you can get up and move freely, but chains and cuffs further restrict boldly movement.
We can even imprison ourselves. Many of us live in jail cells we constructed for ourselves.
Let’s get back to the lesson and read verse number nine.
“9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.”
Jesus called the demon out of the man and asked him for his name. What is your name? The man’s name was Legion, because there was an army of demons, living inside and possessing the man.
11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” 13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. 14 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened.”
Scripture is true, especially in this account, because the graveyard sat above the sea of Galilee; which, happens to be in the mountains. Therefore, the Bible accurately describes this account, because the pigs traveled downhill into the water.
I don’t know if you have seen a herd of animals being scared and having a stampede, but this would have been much worse. The demons would have been in control of the pigs. The pigs could’ve been making weird noises and weird movements. Therefore, I can understand why the shepherds were afraid.
I can only imagine how these pigs were acting being possessed of devils. Therefore, the shepherd of the pigs ran to the village, and told the account to the villagers. Then, the towns people became angered!
Now, we have to remember that these people did not have the Holy Spirit to give them discernment. We would have done the same thing we would’ve done! Absent of the Holy Ghost, there is no fruits of the spirit. Could you imagine the world without the fruits of the Spirit?
We find these listed in the following scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 (New International Version) “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
The people who lived in Chorazin when Jesus cast out these demons had no compassion or love, or they were not of chained up the men in the mountains. Then, they were mad at Jesus for destroying their food and economy.
Next scripture tells us that the men were made hole. Jesus gave them freedom. Let’s read the next few verses together!
“15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.”
See here, that people reported seeing the demon possessed man go free.
Now, I don’t know how you felt when you were saved and Jesus took all of your burdens away, but I became free. However, when I did become free, I felt like chasing after Jesus. When you were saved it, you are set free and set on fire for the Lord. It’s no wonder, That this man wanted to go with Jesus.
“18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis[b] how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.”
Then, mark records, that Jesus sent the man back to his village to evangelize. This is exactly what God calls us to do. Jesus sat is free, but he gives us a job. Our job is to go, to seek, and present the gospel.
The influence the demon possessed man had on humanity was amazing. So, don’t think that your journey does not impact others. God has planted some of us in Elkview, some of us in Charleston, some of us in Bell, some of us in Saint Albans, some of us in South Charleston, and God has also placed men and women in different parts of the country, and the world for the purpose of our testimonies. Our testimonies are important, because our testimonies of God allows the Holy Spirit to draw all humanity to God. They prove the power of God. Casting out demons changed a man’s life, he was thankful, and he presented Christ too many people. This influence them to accept Jesus.
The goal is to pull humanity out of bondage and Hell.
The goal is to restore humanity back to God.
This can only be done through acknowledgment of Jesus Christ,
through acceptance of Jesus Christ,
through confession of our mistakes,
and acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
A man!
Hallelujah!
Glory to God!
Today, let us take away from this message: that you matter!
You, matter to your family!
you matter to your community!
you matter to the world!
And above all you matter to God.
God has given you a ministry of your own. Now, let us, bloom where God has planted us.
Let us not be stagnant!
Let us grow and mature!
Let us be sanctified (set apart from the world for the use and purpose of God and his heavenly kingdom.)
This lesson appears in the book: The Holy Land Companion Guide Biblical Sermons & Lessons to guide you through the Holy Land and Egypt. By: Pastor and Christian Author Jessica Linhart available @ Amazon.com: Jessica Linhart: books, biography, latest update
