What do you do with Jesus?

Rev Enoch Thompson | March 13, 2023 | Matthew 8:28-34

KEY VERSE:

Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region. Matthew 8:34 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

What do we have to do with the Lord Jesus, or what does He have to do with us? These are important questions that must be asked and answered by people everywhere. Pilate asked a similar question in Matt 27:22, "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" NIV. The demons in the two possessed persons in our text raised that question, and the people of the region where the miracle of the deliverance from demonic oppression took place dealt with the question. We also need to consider the question, “What do I do with Jesus the Christ?”

Satan, his demons, and humans who have given themselves over to him raise the question posed by the demoniacs, "What do you want with us, Son of God?”,"Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?" Matthew 8:29 (NIV). They know the identity of the man called Jesus, that He is more than an ordinary human being. He is the Son of God, meaning He is God who took on human form, as properly understood by those who understood the language that was used (reflect on John 10:22-33; 19:7). The Jews understood by their culture, religion and language that by claiming to be the Christ, the Son of God, Jesus was claiming to be God! The demons understood that too when they referred to the Lord as the “Son of God.”

The people of the town responded to the question of what to do with the Lord Jesus by deciding to send Him away from their community. The loss of their pigs, their business, and their income was sufficient grounds to get rid of God in their midst. They did not consider the benefit of the deliverance of two souls from satanic enslavement, they valued their pigs more than the souls of their fellow humans. Therefore, Jesus must go!

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Give the Lord your word of assurance, that though the whole world rejects Him you will always crown Him King of your life, and that there is room in all of your heart for Him, all of the time.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord and Saviour Jesus, I am privileged to know you as such. I crown you Lord over all, and covenant to yield my life to you as your throne. Live in me and live through me. May I never place any other thing or person over and against your kingship in my life. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!