Mt.8:28-34, A Soul More Precious Than the Whole World

Mt.8:28-34, A Soul More Precious Than the Whole World

Mt.8:28.When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way.
29."What do you want with us, Son of God?" they shouted. "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?"
30.Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding.
31The demons begged Jesus, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs."
32.He said to them, "Go!" So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.
33.Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.
34.Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.

Today's passage shows how precious and valuable Jesus considers each human life.
1. Jesus seeks out those who are completely abandoned(28, Mk.5:1-2)
Upon arriving in the region of Gadara, Jesus encountered two demon-possessed men living among the tombs. They were completely abandoned, without human dignity or a future. No one could control them, and people avoided them. But Jesus sought them out. The woman at the well in John 4 is a similar example. Jesus has also come to us today.

2. Jesus restores abandoned lives to new life!(29-32a)
The Lord commanded the demons to go into a herd of pigs, and He restored the demon- possessed men to new life. The Lord seeks and saves the lost. Lk.19:10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” We too have received new life through faith in Jesus.
2Cor.5:17, “...if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;...the new has come!”

3. We are lives more precious than 2,000 pigs (32b-34, Mk.5:13,20)
The 2,000 pigs(worth about $4 million) into which the demons entered drowned in the sea. The people were shocked. They asked Jesus to leave their town. However, the Lord, who gave His body, flesh & blood for us, sees us as lives worth more than anything else. “You are as precious as My own body.” Are you certain of this fact?

4. A life transformed by encountering Jesus becomes a life that proclaims the Lord(Mk.5:19 -20). The two healed men were clothed&fully restored(Mk.5:15). They became missionaries, proclaiming the great things Jesus had done, the gospel of Jesus. Hallelujah!

5. Applying this to myself today: 1) Let's entrust my wounds, addictions, guilt, despair,& suffering to Jesus. Jesus still comes to even the darkest places. 2) Let's discern between worldly values&God's values. Choose Jesus over the herd of pigs. "Your soul is as precious as My own body." 3)Let's invite Jesus to be the center of my life. Let's not let fear of loss cause me to turn away from Jesus, like those people did. Let's embrace the Lord&enjoy eternal life.

6. Conclusion: I am a life more precious than the whole world(Mt.16:26).
"You too are still a life more precious than the whole world, I have restored." Today, I make this commitment again: "I will choose Jesus over results, faith over safety, and even if there is loss, I will keep the Lord at the center of my life."

7. Prayer of Commitment/Loving Lord, before Your word, I see the value of my life again. Although I was like the chief of sinners, I thank You for forgiving me with Your body&blood. Thank You for saying, "You are more precious than the whole world." May I receive Jesus as my Lord&live my life proclaiming Jesus with faith until the end. I will follow&choose Jesus. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.