June 20-Priorities 

Happy Thursday. It is supposed to be a beautiful day here in Southwest Missouri and one I’m sure we will fill up full! We have had lots of discussions on “what we should do next” because there are as many ideas are there are kids. Everyone has their own priorities as to how the day should go.


When Jesus was in Capernaum, He healed Peter’s mother-in-law, and lots of sick people. To the point He had a teacher of the law approach Him and say “I’ll follow you anywhere” until he heard Jesus had no home and another wanted to first complete the year of burial for a loved one. Lots of people wanted to follow Jesus but they had other things they wanted more that got in their way. 

Afterwards, Jesus and the disciples got on a boat to cross the sea and He went to sleep. The storm arose and the disciples were scared silly. Jesus rebuked then for being afraid when He was with them and the He calmed the storm. 

The boat landed in Gentile territory around the Kursi Valley. It was here that Jesus encountered two demon-possessed men living in the tombs. Immediately when they saw Him, they knew who He was. 

“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. “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”” Matthew‬ ‭8:28-29‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” 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.” Matthew‬ ‭8:31-32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

When the people from town heard, they begged Jesus to leave their town. You see, they too had things more important than Jesus. It didn’t matter that he had restored these men. What mattered most was a herd of pigs. 

At this place Kursi, you can stand on the top of the ridge over looking the the Sea of Galilee and see across the lake where the Jews let Him down. Then, you look to the side and see the tombs on the side of the hill where the possessed men lived. As I stood there, I wondered “Do I have more important things than Jesus in my life or is the restoration of people a priority for me?” I think we have probably all made promises to Him that we haven’t kept. “I’ll read my Bible everyday” or “I’ll always put you first!” And yet, so how life creeps in and the promise of keeping our Lord first slips. Praise God for His grace that restores us, right? And I think that’s the lesson of this place...to do our best to make sure God takes His rightful place in our lives and not let homes or jobs or whatever keep God from His rightful position in our lives. To love God with all our hearts, minds and souls means that nothing should come before Him. 


Jesús be the Lord of my life. Help me to trust you enough that nothing comes before you and I am completely guided by your hand. We pray for peace in the hearts of those we know who are troubled and we pray for healing for those friends and family who are battling illness. Teach us Lord to be more like you and to love people the way you do. You are a great God who cares for us and keeps us. We love you Lord and we lift our praise to you this day. Amen and amen. 

Love you dear friend,

Pam

Pictures of Kursi are on FB

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