New Testament Share It!

In Mark 5 and Luke 8 we read about a man possessed by evil spirits and how he was healed by Jesus. In each of these accounts we learn how the man came to Jesus and fell at his feet (Mark5:2, 6; Luke 8:28) and Jesus said for the unclean spirit to come out of him. We then discover that there were many unclean spirits in this man and eventually, these unclean spirits are permitted to enter a herd of swine, and upon doing so, "the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea and were choked in the sea" (Mark 5:13). This is a wonderful example of Christ's power over Satan and his followers, and we learn much of Christ's ability to heal us, not only physically, but mentally and spiritually as well. "Then they... found the man, out of whom the devils were  departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind" (Luke 8:35).  But  I think we often miss an important part of this story, what happens after the healing.  The man comes to...

How did Peter, a sinful man (Luke 5:8), go from being a fisher of fish to a fisher of men? How is it that he and others could forsake all to follow Christ? I believe the answer comes as we look at the invitations given by the Lord to Peter.  Peter had been out fishing, toiling all the night, and taking nothing in (Luke 5:5). He had been working on his own with no success.  Then entered Jesus.  With simple invitations, the Savior invited Peter to act in faith. First, He asked Peter to "thrust out a little from the land" (Luke 5:3). Then, He asked Peter to "launch out into the deep" with a follow up invitation to "let down [his] nets for a draught" (Luke 5:4). Peter, despite being tired and maybe a little doubtful, acted in faith and did as the Savior asked. This act of faith led Peter to witnessing a miracle, the nets were filled, and they were filled so full, that the nets brake (Luke 5:6). Peter was astonished (Luke 5:9), He  received for himself a person...