Know the source of that which comes to you.
Mark 5:2 – And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
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Have you ever had something given to you that after a short time you realized it was broken, or didn’t work, or was not what it appeared to be? In today’s market, there are lots of things that look like something expensive, but they are really what is called a “knock off.” That means they were made to look like something valuable or expensive, but were only cheap imitations designed to fool the unwary customer. You spend your money, not only on something that is a fake, but it will be proven faulty and worthless, a waste of your money. Simple wisdom would call upon one to know the source of what they buy, what they believe, what they accept, and the source upon which they may, in fact, base a major portion of their life.
The same is true in the realm of the spirit. In our Text for Today, Jesus has come into the region of Gadara. It was common knowledge that those who lived there were not Jewish. It was common knowledge that swine farming and marketing were part of the culture. And the presence of the demoniac of Gadara was also common knowledge in the region. I am personally convinced that Jesus had a definite purpose in His heart when He said to His disciples, “Let us pass over unto the other side.” He knew where He intended to go, He knew what was waiting there, and He was going there with a definitive purpose in mind. He knew the source of the things He was about to face.
When the storm arose, He knew the source, and was so unmoved by it that He went to sleep in the back of the ship. Though His clothes were soaked, He slept. Though the wind howled, He slept. Though the waves rocked the boat, He slept. Though the boat was filling with water, He slept. Though a demon possessed man awaited Him in Gadara, He slept. He knew the source of what was coming against Him, and in His mind, the source was of such small significance, He slept.
But keep in mind, more importantly than knowing the source of what was coming against Him, He knew the source of His overcoming. He was one with Father. He was full of Holy Ghost. He was the Word made flesh. He was full of faith; completely without fear. And for us, this is crucial. We are to imitate Him in this situation, NOT His disciples. Are you a child of God? Is Jesus your Lord? Then you are one with Father and Son. Are you filled with Holy Ghost? Then you have divine ability. Are you filled with the Word? Then you are filled with light and knowledge. I don’t know where you’re going, but He does. So, on the way, rest in Him so you’ll be fresh when it’s time to handle any problems.
Manna for Today – Mark 5:1-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; Mark 11:22-24; John 14:12-14; John 15:7; Deuteronomy 28:1-14
My Second Miler by Dr. Beechard Moorefield 