Day 14Thursday March 4 2010

Day 14 Thursday March 4, 2010

TODAY’S INTRO
Last weekend, I took a group of 8th grade students to Washington DC for their confirmation retreat. It is a weekend of service which culminates in a walking tour of DC to feed the homeless on the street. In all the years I have done this, we have always had a good experience- our kids have done well and every homeless person we have encountered has been gracious.

This year, the first person we met will leave a lasting impact on me (as well as the kids). We were walking toward McPherson Square in DC and there was a man on a park bench- all huddled up with a suitcase of “dirty stuff” and a cardboard box surrounding his upper torso. He was probably 20 feet from a smaller museum building. From the looks of him, I would have guessed that he’d been homeless for a fairly long time. He was happy to get a meal (which my daughter handed to him). As we walked away, we all saw the 50+rats scurrying about around the edges of the building. A sight to disturb these suburban kid, their pastors and chaperones. The proximity to this man on the bench was so disturbing, so hopeless. When hope is not present, life is so difficult. Today, Jesus encounters 3 situtations where hope appears to have vanished!


TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 8:26-56
26 Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes,d which is opposite Galilee. 27As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worne no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. 28When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me"-- 29for Jesusf had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) 30Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" He said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. 31They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss. 32 Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demonsg begged Jesush to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. 33Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. 34 When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. 35Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 36Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. 37Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenesi asked Jesusj to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. 38The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesusk sent him away, saying, 39"Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.
A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed
40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41Just then there came a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus' feet and begged him to come to his house, 42for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying. As he went, the crowds pressed in on him. 43Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians,l no one could cure her. 44She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. 45Then Jesus asked, "Who touched me?" When all denied it, Peterm said, "Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you." 46But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me." 47When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." 49 While he was still speaking, someone came from the leader's house to say, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any longer." 50When Jesus heard this, he replied, "Do not fear. Only believe, and she will be saved." 51When he came to the house, he did not allow anyone to enter with him, except Peter, John, and James, and the child's father and mother. 52They were all weeping and wailing for her; but he said, "Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping." 53And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54But he took her by the hand and called out, "Child, get up!" 55Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then he directed them to give her something to eat. 56Her parents were astounded; but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened.

TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES

Just as my story at the beginning, I am sure that each of you can think of situations that appear hopeless, especially people who are hopeless. Without hope- the future is bleak, uncertain, and confusing. With hope, there is power. Hope is “believing in spite of the evidence and watching the evidence change” as one activist likes to say.

One of the things I am mindful of today is that Jesus is the one who brings hope. In 3 different situations he “brings hope” to people who have no apparent future. He intervenes in their lives instills hope and new life.

The stories today are dramatic but there is no doubt in my mind that Jesus (and his followers) are called to “instill hope” in the world around them. Today, I am going to leave this pretty open ended and ask you to ponder the unique ways in which you can be a “messenger of hope” for others. What are the simple things you can do to help another? Think of someone specifically who is going through difficulty. Is God sending you to them in some way? Instill hope. It’s a needed resource in this world and in abundant supply from the God who provides.

Jesus, you are hope for the hopeless and rest for the weary. Build us up to be messengers of hope for others. When we feel the weight of the world on our heart and soul, send messengers of your hope to us- to remind us that we are not alone. We pray for those in our world in extremely difficult circumstances especially those affected by natural disasters. Send a flood of hope – tangible, spiritual, and emotional. Amen

FRIENDS ADDED

Gerasene Demoniac
Woman with Hemorages
Little Girl and her parents (Jairus is dad)

OPPONENTS
The owner of the pigs has gotta be a bit fired up
Many in the town want Jeus out of their


CAUSES
Instilling hope to the hopeless

I love how the Gerasene Demoniac wanted to follow Jesus on journey but Jesus said, "stay put and be a witness" where you are. One whom had hope restored is often a powerful witness in their local setting!

OTHER NOTES

Join me as we start a new Devotion Series in April and May called “The Ripple Effect” at http://www.ripplingout.blogspot.com/ (an exploration of Acts)