Luke 8:40...

8:22–9:50 Authority and Identity of Jesus. Not unlike what God did in the ancient exodus event, Jesus performs a miracle over the water (8:22–25), several healing miracles (8:26–56), and a feeding miracle (9:10–17).

8:22–25 Jesus Calms the Storm. This story begins a cycle of three miracles that highlight Jesus’ power and authority (vv. 22–25, 26–39, 40–56), and

it paves the way for 9:1–9, where Jesus gives his disciples “power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases” (9:1).

Jesus’ calming of the storm lends insight to the identity of Jesus in light of the OT teaching that God alone can control the waters (; ; ; ; ; ).

Here’s what we read in —Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee.

8:26–39 Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man. Extending the previous presentation on Jesus’ power and identity, this account declares that Jesus is the “Son of the Most High God” (v. 28).

Verse 40 is when Jesus returns to Galilee.

— So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him.

So, to show the freeness and the sovereignty of His grace, Jesus goes over to the Gadarenes and saves one who will go and tell others (v39).

Essentially Jesus withdraws from that place where He isn’t wanted. Wisdom abandons those who refuse her counsels.

Since I called out and you refused, extended my hand and no one paid attention, 25 since you neglected all my counsel and did not accept my correction, 26 I, in turn, will laugh at your calamity. I will mock when terror strikes you, 27 when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when trouble and stress overcome you. 28 Then they will call me, but I won’t answer; they will search for me, but won’t find me. 29 Because they hated knowledge, didn’t choose to fear the Lord, 30 were not interested in my counsel, and rejected all my correction, 31 they will eat the fruit of their way and be glutted with their own schemes.

Our text reads that “the multitude welcomed Him”. When Jesus is waited for and welcomed, He delights to come.

This is an important question to ask ourselves as a congregation: Do we welcome Christ?

As a household, do you welcome Christ?

Let’s think first about

A. This BEAUTIFUL SIGHT. “they were all waiting for Him.”

What does a gathered congregation look like who’s waiting upon the Lord? Turn over to .

Let me read a sample of verses while we turn to Hebrews.

We eagerly wait in the midst of sufferings, looking forward to glory.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed.

In , we are to follow Paul’s example, even though there are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, who are described as being focused on earthly things

“... we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. (v20)

(cf. ; ).

So in we read the words, “Beware, brethren”

Watch out brothers and sisters, that you do not follow the unbelieving example of the exodus generation!!!

— Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;

This is the danger that faces any congregation.

Does anyone here have an evil heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God?

Biblically an “evil heart” is characterized by those who willfully follow their own plans rather than God’s purposes. (;

O’Brien, P. T. (2010). The Letter to the Hebrews. Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

This evil heart expresses itself in turning away from the living God.

How do we guard against apostasy?

— but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

The warning is now balanced out with a positive counsel.

There’s our word, “exhort” which means “encourage”.

On a daily basis, which of your brothers and sisters are you encouraging?

Texts, phone calls, emails, etc.

To make sure that an evil heart of unbelief does not appear in any one of them,

the gathered people of the Lord,

as a whole

as well as each member within it

is to be vigilant and constant in their care for others by mutual encouragement.

Flip to chapter 10. We find here that Christ is waiting for what? (v13) [waiting till His enemies are made His footstool]

And based upon His offering, God puts His laws into our hearts and in our minds and will not remember our sins and lawless deeds any more.

So then, brothers and sisters what are we going to do in v19-23?

Then we are told to hold fast the confession of our hope and how do we do that? (v24-25)

This is a congregation that is waiting properly.

1. How does this compare to people who hop from church to church and do not really form any real relationships?

They cannot really be encouraged or held accountable.

They are not really being stirred up to love and good works!!

How about those whose attendance isn’t really regular?

Those who are late to the house of the Lord!?

How about a prayerless church? Is that a congregation that is all waiting for him?

Many times these are signs that Jesus isn’t waited for!

2. I think of that praying church, praying in earnest, looking for revival and prepared to co-operate together to labor for it.

3. What about a seeking sinner, sighing for mercy, searching the Scriptures, hearing the Word, asking other believers questions, , constantly praying, and thus “waiting for Him.”

4. I think of some of our departed saints who repeat something of what Jacob said, “I have waited for Your salvation, O Lord!” ().

Waiting on the Lord to take him or her home!

It’s good for us to behold such things.

So it’s a BEAUTIFUL SIGHT

It’s also a

B. A SURE ARRIVAL. “when Jesus returned”

It is a sure thing and certain thing that the Lord will graciously appear to those who are “all waiting for Him”, since...

His Spirit is there already… — Not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits—we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

His heart is there, in sympathy with us, desiring to bless us:

— 17 Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

— 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

3. His work is there (among those waiting for Him) so He promises to be there: Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

4. It’s His delight to be there: — I was rejoicing in his inhabited world, delighting in the sons of men.

C. It is a HEARTY WELCOME. “the multitude welcomed Him” “welcomed” means to receive as a friend or guest!

Their fears made Him welcome. Perhaps them thinking they’d never see Him again:Psalm 77:7 “Will the Lord reject forever and never again show favor?

Their hopes made Him welcome. They trusted that now their sick would be cured, and their dead would be raised to life again!

Their prayers made Him welcome. Those who pray that Jesus may come and glad when He comes!

Their faith made Him welcome. Jairus now looked to have his child healed ().

Their love made Him welcome. When our heart is with Him, we rejoice in His appearing.

Jesus never disappoints those who wait for Him. Jesus never refuses those who welcome Him. Jesus is near us even now: will you not open the doors of your heart to receive Him?

— See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.