2012 Fall Investigation: Who are You? November 4, 2012
Luke 8:26-39 26
Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 And when He came out onto the land, He was met by a man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs. 28 Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.” 29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, and yet he would break his bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert. 30 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. 31 They were imploring Him not to command them to go away into the abyss. 32
Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain; and the demons implored Him to permit them to enter the swine. And He gave them permission. 33 And the demons came out of the man and entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was d r o w n e d . 34
“What do You want with me?“ Luke 8:26-39 ________________________________________
“Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” Luke 9:51-56 Week 6 -- Page 1 of 9
When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they ran away and reported it in the city and out in the country. 35 The people went out to see what had happened; and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened. 36 Those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was demon-possessed had been made well. 37 And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to leave them, for they were gripped with great fear; and He got into a boat and returned. 38 But the man from whom the demons had gone out was begging Him that he might accompany Him; but He sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. (Updated NASB) Week 6 -- Page 2 of 9
What Do You Want with Me? Luke 8:26-39 What do I have to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? (NASB) What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? (NASB update) What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? (NIV) What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? (NKJV)
The Question The question the demon possessed man asked is notoriously difficult to translate since the Greek version is ‘What to me and to you, Jesus . . . ?’ (The same question comes up in Luke 4:34.) But what do you take to be the force of the question from the translations given above?
The Story What details of Jesus’ meeting with the man on the shore can you reconstruct from verses 26-29?
Does the question come from the man or from the demons? How does the context help us answer that?
What do you think are the important elements in the exorcism in vv. 30-33? Application
Verses 34-37 give an account of the people’s reaction. Why were they afraid now that the demon possessed man was in control of himself?
We may not have asked the same question as the man in the story, but have we asked similar questions when the Lord has challenged us about something?
Do we sometimes respond to a situation by thinking, ‘I know what the Bible teaches, but we have to live in the real world’?
What does the man’s reaction tell us about Jesus and his effect on people?
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What steps can we take to avoid responses like these?
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Luke 9:51-56
Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?
When the days drew near for Him to be taken up, He set His face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And He sent messengers ahead of Him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for Him.
Insights from the story in Luke 9:51-56
51
Luke 9:51 begins the section of the Gospel (extending to 19:28) about Jesus’ _________________ to __________________ .
53
But the people did not receive Him, because His face was set toward Jerusalem. 54
And when His disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But He turned and rebuked them. 56 And they went on to another village.
Luke 9:51 says, “When the days drew near for Him to be taken up…” To what does the term “taken up” refer? (Some versions translate “received up” or “ascension”.)
But what had to come before He was “taken up”?
To a Jew, Samaritans were _______________ and ______________.
Who were James and John?
In the Bible, fire is often a symbol of ____________________ .
Many people were still asking Jesus, “Who are You?” But James and John had come to the conclusion that Jesus was the Judge. Were they right or wrong?
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Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them? Further Personal Study in Luke 9:51-56 As you examine these Scriptures, what further insights strike you about Jesus’ focus?
Of all the things James and John could have thought to do to stubborn or sinful people, why do you think they thought about calling down fire from heaven?
Do you suppose they thought these stories were setting a precedent for them to follow? 2 Kings 1 Numbers 16:35 Leviticus 10:2 1 Kings 18:25
When I “call down fire” on someone…
Which two biblical prophets were involved in the instances of fire noted in the references above?
Which two biblical prophets had James and John just seen immediately prior to this event on the mountain when Jesus was transfigured before them? See Luke 9:28, ff.
How do you think James and John thought Jesus would respond to their question in 9:54?
As you examine the following Scriptures, why do you think Jesus rebuked James and John for their question? John 3:17; Luke 5:31-32; Matthew 9:13; Luke 19:10, Week 6 -- Page 7 of 9
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What Old Testament prophet was offended by God’s grace to sinful people?
Concerning Samaritans, what irony(s) do you note in the story in Acts 8:5-25?
Do you find that you whole-heartedly embrace God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness when it’s dispensed to you and to those you love?
Yet how heartily do you embrace His grace, mercy, and forgiveness toward belligerent, vile, blasphemous sinners?
To help us align our hearts with God’s on this matter, it might be helpful to begin a collection of Scripture texts for the purpose of reminding us how patient and gracious God is toward sinners like ourselves. Here are a few to get you started: Psalm 103:8-18; Matthew 5:44-45; Luke 13:6-9; Romans 12:19 1 Timothy 1:12-16; James 1:13; 2 Peter 3:9
When we lose sight of God’s patience and grace toward evil or disobedient people, it often begins to show up in our behavior: * We ask God to punish them rather than extend His grace, mercy, and patience toward them. * We stop praying for them. * We secretly or openly rejoice when calamity or hardship befalls them. * Ever so subtly, we begin to feel that we are better than them -after all, we’ve at least had the sense to repent of our sins!
Ask the Lord Jesus to show you if He sees these or other wrong attitudes in you. Resolve to adopt His attitude toward “Samaritans” rather than calling down fire from heaven on them. Week 6 -- Page 9 of 9
