DCLM Daily Manna 23 January 2022 — Between Christ and Swine
DCLM Daily Manna 23 January 2022 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Between Christ and Swine
TOPIC: BETWEEN CHRIST AND SWINE
TEXT: Matthew 8:23-34
23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.
26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
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?
30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
32 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 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.
KEY VERSE:
“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 8:34)
MESSAGE:
In life, we cannot avoid making choices. Much of the progresses we have made in life have come because of our decisions and choices. It is human to make wrong choices occasionally because of our limited knowledge. But there are some mistakes that are too foolish to be tolerated, especially when they have dire consequences.
Also Read: DCLM Daily Manna 22 January 2022 — Believers’ True Riches
Such was the poor case of the inhabitants of Gergesenes. When Christ arrived at their region, two demon-possessed people who lived in a graveyard met Him. They were so fierce that no one dared cross their path. The demons in them quickly recognised Christ as the “Son of God” and pleaded to be allowed to relocate into a nearby herd of swine, which at once rushed down a steep slope and perished in the water. The frightening report of the swine herders drew the inhabitants of the city to the scene. The people unanimously requested Christ to leave their coast. They cherished the swine more than their souls.
Also Read: Open Heaven 22 January 2022 — Let There Be Light VI
The Jews preferred Barabbas, a condemned notorious robber, to Jesus their Messiah. They opted for Christ’s crucifixion. This goes to show the extent of the fickleness of the human heart. Today, due to political, economic and social gains, many are still rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ. They would rather have their “swine” than have the only Saviour of the world and the salvation of their souls.
Unfortunately, many worldly-minded and covetous people profess to be Christians but they have little or no appetite for spiritual things. Whereas, genuine, heaven-bound believers constantly crave Christ’s presence and power.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Light will always dispel darkness.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Acts 20-21
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
