Fri.’s Devo - The Power of a Testimony

Read Luke 8:35-48 Jesus has just taken down the stronghold of the city and the people are a little afraid. They heard the stories of the shepherds who saw the demons come out of this man and go into their pigs who ran off the cliff. What a story! What I want to know is what a Jewish shepherd is doing raising pigs that are lawfully unclean. Anyway, the city came out to see the crazy man with clothes on and in his right mind sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to his teaching. They didn’t know what to think of this supernatural act so they were afraid. That is usually the reaction of something supernatural - fear. They surrounded Jesus and asked him to leave. The man who had been delivered begged Jesus to take him with him but Jesus told him to go back to his house and tell them what God did for him. It seemed like a strange thing to tell a new convert who is wanting to be discipled, but Jesus knew best. This man went back and did what Jesus said and when Jesus came back the whole town was ready and waiting to hear what Jesus had to say. They had seen with their own eyes that what happened to this man was real and there was no denying the miracle. Because their faith had been stirred they could receive many miracles. Jarius, a ruler of the synagogue came and fell at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come to his house and see his twelve year old daughter who was dying. On his way the crowds were pressing in on him and a lady who had been bleeding for 12 years approached him from behind and touched the border of his garment. She was instantly healed. Jesus could feel the virtue leave his body and go to someone else and stopped to ask, “Who touched me?” The disciples thought that was a strange question since everyone was touching him. But Jesus was talking about a certain person. The lady knew it was herself so she confessed with fear and trembling. Jesus encouraged her and told her that her faith had made her whole. She was worthy of him pointing her out. Lord, this story reminds me that you are never too busy for us and you always notice what we do in faith. It also shows us what power there is in our testimony. May we share it with others today.