Before the Lord healed them, He wanted to
give them some instructions. He wanted them
to be able to keep there healing (deliverance).
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the
word of God. Jesus knew his words would
help create faith in their hearts.

Being desparate for healing, is different from
having faith. They were desparate and deter-
mined to see. They pressed their way until
they were in front of Him.

Their desparation brought faith, when asked
they said, "Yes, Lord."

Jesus touched their eyes saying, "According
to your faith be it done unto you."

Faith is essential to receiving healing.

He strictly told them not to say anything, not
thinking that obedience is better than sacrifice.

They went on and told what had happened to
them.

The news of their healing would cause more
harm than good, even hindering His purpose

After the little girl was cared for, Jesus
left their house. He didn't say anything to
the crowd that was waiting to hear what
was happening.

But later as He was on His way else where,
He came across two men that were blind.
They were persistent and continued to
follow Him crying, "Thou Son of David,
have mercy on us." Matthew 9:27

They followed Him to the house where He
was staying so Jesus could not turn them
away.

From this Jesus is telling us that if we keep
our faith (because it is our faith that makes
us whole or brings the answers) we will
received the answer.

It seems like many times when we pray if
our need is immediate, urgent and/or grave,
while we are waiting for the manifestation
of the answer, we see others around us getting
theirs answered. And we get to thinking that
we will not get ours, that it's hopeless or even
too late.

We have to battle the devil over what we see,
hear and feel (our senses) and do as Jesus said
fear not, believe only.

"While he yet spake, there cometh one from
the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to
him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the
Master. " Luke 8:49

While waiting for Jesus who was speaking to
the woman who had touched Him, here comes
one who tells him that his daughter is dead.

Again. imagine how he must have felt and
what he must have thought of being ignored
when his need was so grave. Wouldn't it be
hard not to be upset or even resentful?

"But when Jesus heard it, he answered him,
saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall
be made whole." Luke 8:50

Jesus assured him that it wasn't over or
hopeless. Fear not, believe only.

Jesus took only Peter, James and John with
Him. He spoke to the girl to 'arise' and her
'spirit came again' and she 'arose'. He charged
them 'give her meat' and to 'tell no one what
was done.'

"But as he went the
people thronged him.
And a woman having
an issue of blood

twelve years, which

had spent all her

living upon physicians,

neither could be

healed of any, Came

behind him, and

touched the border of his garment: and

immediately her issue of blood stanched."

Luke 8:40-42

Imagine how this man must have felt and

what he must have thought. Here his little

girl was dying and this woman stops Him

by touching his garment. Jesus takes His

time and questions who touched Him.

Her touch didn't pollute Him but instead it

cleansed her.

Her faith had made her whole. Read the

remaining verses in Luke 8:42 on to see

what she said and did that healed her.

"And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was
returned, the people gladly received him:
for they were all waiting for him.
And, behold, there came a man named Jairus,
and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he
fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that
he would come into his house: For he had one
only daughter, about twelve years of age, and
she lay a dying."
Luke 8:40-42

After the feast at Matthew's ended, a ruler of the
synagogue, came to Jesus. His daughter was
dying and he was anxious for Jesus to come and
heal her.

He fell at Jesus' feet in great anguish because his
daughters condition was dire and immediate.

With His great compassion Jesus responded
quickly...!

God's Christmas Gift

'Twas the night before Christmas

and in Heaven above,

The angels were watching with such

intense love!

For the Prize of all Heaven was coming

to earth.

And, a manger was chosen as His place

of birth.

Mary, his mother (so weary and worn),

Was glad Joseph found a place cozy and warm.

And now, as she labored, a new life began ...

Destined to bring life to each willing man.

While out on the hillsides, the angels sang,

"Glory!" ...

Shepherds stood, trembling, as they heard

the story.

Quickly, they followed the angel's clear way ...

Finding baby Jesus upon the clean hay.

Down from the heavens, there came a new light.

A star born anew on that very night!

Softly, the mother sang sweet lullabies ...

'Til sweet baby Jesus closed His little eyes.

Humbly, the shepherds gave worship and praise;

Bowing down softly where God's baby lay.

They told how the angels had spoken to them,

"Joy to the world and peace to all men!"

The wise men were coming, having followed the star.

They were bringing the Savior their gifts, from afar.

And up in God's Heaven, a great sigh was heard;

As the Angels looked down on God's own Living Word.

They had to come closer. They loved Him so much!

Their wings swept by Him, for just one more touch.

Then they nestled by legions, above His wee bed,

And spread out their wings; enclosing the shed.

Yes, trials would follow. A plan was engaged.

But just for tonight, the angels would say,

"Oh, men of earth, who struggle in vain ...

Seek here and find release from all shame.

Peace on the earth! Oh, learn it anew.

Peace! God has sent His own Son to you!"

© by Joan Clifton Costner

THE STAR

The star which lead the wisemen

o Christ without delay,

Reminds me of the Word of God

which is our guide today.

And we will read the Word with faith,

believe each promise true

then it will be a precious guide,

for us our whole life through.

If all would love the Holy Book,

it's great commandments heed,

we'd try to show all men our love

and help them in their need,

no matter what temptations come

Or what the world may say,

we shall be loyal to God's Word

and read it every day.

The Scriptures should be read with prayer

which seeks God's will to know,

as wisemen followed faithfully

that star of long ago.

O, if the Bible is our guide
and we its words obey,

we'll surely serve both God

and man in every kindly way.

And as we serve our whole life through,

it still will beckon on

to guide us to our Heavenly home

where Christ shall say "Well Done"

Later that day, Jesus went to Matthew's
house, (after having called him to be one
of His disciples) for a feast that Matthew
had prepared.

Matthew had invited some of his personal
friends and the Pharisees and scribes who
had seen Jesus earlier was watching. They
had great misgivings of the company He
was keeping.

But the regular people were realizing that
Jesus was the great prophet they were
waiting for. They as well as the disciples
had the idea that the Messiah would set
up His earthly kingdom soon.

When Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Man,
thy sins are forgiven thee", He knew there were
Pharisees and doctors of the law among them.
He knew that His words to forgive the man had
not gone over too well with them. He saw the
looks and the glances they made to each other
as they whispered.

Luke 5:22-24 "But when Jesus perceived their
thoughts He......."

Anyone can say "Thy sins be forgiven thee" but
who knows if it is true? If someone says "Arise
and walk" and they do, He must have authority.

If God gave Him power to heal the man, was that
not proof that He also gave Him the power to for-
give sin? The Pharisees would not accept that
explanation.

Though they opposed, many others praised and
glorified God. Then the man arose healed, took
his bed leaving them also praising God.

When Jesus said that He saw their faith, it tells
us that faith can be seen (by our actions and
words). There is such a thing as group faith in
which the faith of many combined will make
manifested the thing desired.

The very opposite was found in Nazareth when
Jesus was there. He could do no mighty work
there because of their unbelief. (Mark 6:5)

Jesus, instead of rebuking them for tearing up
the roof was pleased with their faith.

The words their faith is important because we
find that when the person needing healing is
unable to believe for themselves others can
supply the faith needed to get them well.

Jesus and His disciples
went back across the
sea of Galiliee. The trip
back was calm and
normal.

A crowd was forming
on the shore as they
arrived.

Jesus went to a house (which could
have been Peter's) and started teaching.

Like what often happened, He would then
minister to the people that were gathered
all around Him.

Some men brought a man on a bed and they
couldn't get near Jesus so they got the idea
to go up on the roof, removed a portion of it,
and lowered the man down in front of Jesus.
Read Luke 5:17-20

Jesus saw their faith "and said unto him,
Man, thy sins are forgiven thee"

The Gardarenes reacted differently than other
places. It is not said if they didn’t believe the
deliverance or about the power of God. Their
swine had perished and so had their livelihood.
They just wanted to be left alone like the demons.

It cost them too much to accept that Jesus may
have been a prophet and even the Messiah.

Men are given free choice as to serve Him or
not. But one day Christ will be their judge and
they will not have a choice.

Jesus did not leave the people doomed. He
knew there would be some who would accept
Him. The healed man “prayed him that he
might be with him” Mark 5:18.

Jesus suffered him not because He had a job
for him to do. Mark 5:19 He obeyed Jesus
and became His missionary. Jesus
never went back to the Gadarenes.

Demons, when they leave, seem to have
unusual power. When leaving this man of
Gadara, they moved in an invisible swarm.

We are not told how many actually went
into the swine., but those that did caused
them to become wild and stampede. The
swine couldn’t live with the demons, so
they “ran violently down a steep place into
the sea and perished:”

The man being rid of the demons became
quiet and in his right mind. The spirits of
nudity and exhibitionism left and he desired
to be dressed, possibly by an extra garment
given to him by one of the disciples, and
began talking to Jesus and the disciples
normally.

The owners of the swine saw what happened
with their herds and saw what happened to
the man that had been possessed with the
demons. Instead of being happy, they were
afraid of what their masters would do because
of the loss of the animals and the loss of the
money they wanted.

In Mark 5:10 the demons of the Gadarenes
asked that Jesus “would not send them
away out of the country”. They wanted to
stay there.

They knew many of the people of that country
were ungodly and they would be able to find
others to live in.

They asked to be sent into a herd of swine
(pigs) that were near, Mark5:12 “Send us into
the swine, that we may enter into them” WHY?
More than likely because they knew that
according to the Law the people would not eat
the swine. (not until Acts 10:9-16 did God do
away of that law) or because they knew that it
would be easy for them to leave the swine and
continue roaming the country.

The people of that country were in disobed-
ience to the Law of Moses just by raising the
swine and selling it to those who did not observe
it either.

Demons (evil spirits) were afraid that Jesus
would cast them into the Abyss or Bottomless
Pit.

Luke 8:31"And they besought Him that He
would not command them to go out into the
deep".

We do not know if Jesus ever cast them into
the Pit. They insisted that their time had not
come. (Matt. 8:29)

But Satan and his Demons will eventually be
locked up in the Bottomless Pit at the end of
the age. They will not be able to deceive any
more until the end of the thousand year reign
of Jesus Christ. (Rev. 20:1-3)

Rev. 9:1-3 and Jude 6 tell us that there are
demons already confined but many are roaming
the earth. They know that they must obey the
authority of Jesus or face the punishment
(the Pit) which they are afraid to go.

One question that has been asked many times
is “How many demons can be in a person at one
time?” Luke 8:2 tells us that Mary Magdalene
had seven devils cast out of her.

We know that spirits show their presence in
people. God told us that ‘mediums’ let evil spirits
operate through them. When in a body, they are
able to talk and communicate.

Without a body, they are able to throw things
(appearing to fly); make noises (knockings, doors
opening, etc); cause people and things to float
(levitate); and even copy or imitate voices.

To possess a person, they attached themselves
to parts of the body (like the nerves, eyes, ears
and brain, etc) to force actions of the person.

They do not have bodies, so they long to find
someone to be able to do their work through.
Luke 11:24-26 says they ‘seek rest’; they can’t
rest until they are in a body. That is also why
they resist being cast out.

The demon argued his right to stay in the man.
But Jesus said, “Come out the man, thou unclean
spirit”.

Jesus showed that the demon had to leave. But
He noticed that there were many others present
also. So Jesus demanded that they give their
names and how many were there.

The first one said, “My name is Legion: for we
are many.” The name ‘legion’ means many or
a great number. Jesus wanted the whole lot of
them to be cast out.

Often when several demons are cast out there
are others hiding in the person not wanting to be
detected or even pretending to leave. Later it
will show that the person was not completely
delivered.

Demons know that they are damned spirits
and they have no hope of redemption. They
are tormented being in the presence of Jesus.

They are reminded of their lost condition and
know of their loss in inheriting the blessings
of the redeemed. They know their future is
doomed.

Demons have no right to possess human
beings made in the image of God. However,
if people, through sin, get outside of God’s
protection and power, allow demons that are
around to take advantage of the situation.

Jesus even said that if a man were to leave
God’s protection., that not long after that the
demon ‘seeing that the house being “swept
and garnished”, would take seven other spirits
with him and the man’s last state would be
worse than the first.’
Read Luke 11:24-26

“And they came
over unto the
other side of the
sea, into the
country of the
Gadarenes.
And when he
was come out
of the ship,
immediately
there met
him out of the
tombs a man
with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling
among the tombs; and no man could bind him,
no, not with chains; Because that he had been
often bound with fetters and chains, and the
chains had been plucked asunder by him, and
the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any
man tame him.
And always, night and day, he was in the
mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and
cutting himself with stones.
But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and
worshipped him, and cried with a loud voice,
and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus,
thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee
by God, that thou tormentest me not.”
Mark 5:1-7

There was no rest when they reached the
other side. Nearby was a cemetery and
apparently the area wasn't livable, but they
were met by a man who was demon possessed
that recognized Jesus.

Jesus’ words
had not sunk
into the disciples
because they
were saying,
“What manner of
man is this, that
even the winds
and the sea obey
him?”
Even though they were human, they decided they
wanted to have the faith that Jesus had. They lived
where faith lived by walking and talking with Jesus.

They began to see His miracles. They listened to His
words. They learned how He did it. Then one day they
didn’t marvel any more but did the works themselves
and others marveled at them.

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John,
and perceived that They were unlearned and ignorant
men, they marveled, and they took knowledge of them,
that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

Jesus arose and took control by commanding the
wind ‘Peace be still’

they saw that He showed no fear or alarm at the
situation at all. In their fear they had accused
Jesus of not caring. Jesus said, “Why are ye so
fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?”

Jesus had not yet shown His power over the devil
so the disciples were relieved to see that they were
in good hands with Him. Their faith was being
developed to be dependent on Him.

Nothing would be able to stop His mission, devil or
man, until He and the Father decided, and then He
give it, they didn’t take it away from Him.

Even while in the flesh He was so powerful that
nothing could harm Him or those who trusted in
Him.

Jesus, wanting some time of rest, asked them
to get the boat ready to go over to the other
side. They then set sail for the other side of
the lake. (Mark 4:37-39)

Jesus laid at the rear of the boat to get some
sleep. About the time they reached the center
of the lake the wind and waves were really
beating against the boat to cause concern and
distress to the men. They did every thing
they knew to keep the boat upright.

At their alarm and request, Jesus got up and
took authority over the situation. They were
amazed that He had power over the winds and
the waves.

It is certain that the storm was caused by Satan
to try to destroy the whole group, for he didn't
know what power Jesus has over his works.

Matthias was born in Bethlehem.
He was one of the 70, then was
chosen by lot to take Judas' place
as one of the Twelve Apostles.
(Acts 1:23)

Matthias preached the gospel in
Judea, then Ethiopia. There is also a report of him
miraculously escaping from prison for preaching in
Macedonia. He continued his ministry by returning
to preach in Judea with signs and wonderings following.

The high priest Ananias tried him and condemned him
to death. He was stoned to death by the Jews. Then they
took an axe and severed his head in 63 A.D. This was a
Roman form of execution.

Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus.

At the Last Supper, Jesus announces
that one of his 12 closest followers will
betray him. All deny it or wondered
who it could be but Jesus knew Judas was the one.

He led a group of armed men to a garden
where Jesus was praying and identified him
with a kiss.

The Jewish leaders paid Judas a bribe "thirty
pieces of silver". When they would not accept
the money back "with the reward he got for his
wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell
headlong, his body burst open and all his
intestines spilled out" according to Acts.

Judas called Jesus "teacher", he never called Him
Lord or master as the other apostles did. While
the others wondered what kind of man Jesus was,
a man that could calm the sea by a word, Judas
accepted him only as Rabbi. Not being at Jesus'
death and resurrection like the others, Judas
never got a real sense of His Lordship.

Thaddaeus was one of the
12 Apostles. It is believed
that he was also known as
Judas or Jude, brother of
James the Lesser (not to be
confused with Judas Iscariot,
the man who betrayed Jesus). He is also

the brother of Jesus.Thaddaeus, was another

lesser known disciple.

Jude, Thaddaeus, is author of an epistle (letter)

Jude in the New Testament.

Jude preached the gospel in Mesopotamia where

he was joined by Simon. From there, they missioned

in Persia, where they suffered martyrdom. About

65 A.D. Jude was beaten to death; Simon was sawed

into pieces.

Simon the Zealot was born in Cana of Galilee.
He is also called Simon the "Canaanite", which

means zealot.

Those that had been called as disciples were

called just before Passover of 27 AD.

Jesus' miracle of turning water into wine at the

wedding caused him to leave all and to follow Him.

He was one of the original followers of Christ and

was with the other apostles on all occasions.

He was also martyred, his body was

said to have been

sawed to pieces

in about 65 A.D.

James, son of Alpheus, was also known as James

the Lesser. This not James the brother of John,

the sons of zebedee, known as the Greater.

This James was also one of the apostles. He is the

James the brother of Jesus and is the James who

wrote the Book of James in the Bible.

James was either stoned and beaten to death with

clubs in 62 A.D

Thomas was one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. He
doesn’t do much in the gospels but becomes
important towards the end of John.

Thomas lived in Galilee, along with most of the
other apostles and most of Jesus’ disciples, since
that is where his ministry was.

He was absent when the
Lord appeared to the
other apostles one
evening after He had risen,
and refused to believe that
Christ had indeed risen until
he had seen him for himself,
but when he had seen Him,
he said to Him, "My Lord and My God."
(John 20:19-29)

Not much is known about his life or death. It is
recorded that he died in 72 A.D. being killed by a
spear.

Matthew was sitting at
a tax collection post one
day when Jesus walked
by and said, "Follow me."

And Matthew stood up
and followed Him, and
became one of His twelve
apostles. Tax collectors
in those days were social
outcasts.

He was a member of the tribe of Levi and often
called Levi. Jesus chose disciples of a wide variety
of backgrounds.

He has been given the credit to writing the
Gospel of Mattehew. The Gospel itself does not
say who wrote it.

When summoned by Jesus, Matthew arose and
followed Him and gave Him a feast in his house,
where tax-gatherers and sinners sat at table with
Him and His disciples. This drew a protest from
the Pharisees whom Jesus rebuked in these words:
"I came not to call the just, but sinners".

How he died is not known. It is said that he was
martyred, and others say he died of old age.

Bartholomew (also known as Nathanael) was
one of Christ's twelve original apostles. He was
born at Cana of Galilee. Jesus saw him under
the fig tree before Philip brought him to meet
Jesus. Nathanael was awed over the experience.

After the Holy Spirit arrived on the Day of
Pentecost, it fell by lot to Bartholomew and Philip
to preach the Gospel in Syria and Asia Minor. In
their preaching they wandered through various
cities, and then met up again.

Traveling to some of the cities, they underwent
much hardship and tribulations, they were stoned
and they were locked up in prison. In one of the
villages they met up with John and together they
set off through the region. Bartholomew and Philip
confirmed their preaching with many miracles.

They were sentenced to death. Suddenly there
was an earthquake, and the earth swallowed up
many of the priest and those killing the apostles.
Others rushed to take them down from the crosses.
Bartholomew was taken down quickly but Philip
died. Later Bartholomew left the area and moved on
preaching the Word of God as he went to India.

Bartholomew is said to have been crucified again.
But this time he continued preaching the good news
about Christ the Savior from the cross. So on orders
of Astiagus, he was skinned alive and beheaded, in
68 A.D.