Magic, Miracles and Options in between

Our New Testament studies so far have centered on Jewish territory - Jerusalem, Galilee, and Samaria (perhaps less Jewish, but still under strong Jewish influence). This week we follow Jesus across the sea to a place where Judaism was just one option among many, and probably not the preferred option. A world not so different from our own perhaps?

(33) The Difference between Magic and Miracles

Jesus is a man of action as well as words. Now, having preached to Galileans in and around Capernaum, he sets of in a boat for “the other side.” It’s not just the other side of the lake—it’s the other side of the world; a place where the Jewish faith is not dominant; it’s just one of many options; a place where the “pearl of great price,” which Matthew described in one of last week’s parables, will make perfect mystical sense.

Read Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25

1.       One boat or several? In practice you would probably need more than one boat to carry Jesus’ followers.

2.       “Lord save us,” or “Teacher, don’t you care?” Which one most closely echoes your prayers? When and why?

3.       What sort of faith would we need to not cry out “Lord save us?”

4.       Why do the disciples seem more impressed with this than, say, with a healing miracle? What impresses us?

Read Matthew 8:28-29, Mark 5:1-7, Luke 8:26-29

1.       One demoniac or two? (Matthew also mentions two blind men—Matthew 20:29-30, Mark 10:46, Luke 18:35) What is the significance of the number two? (Read Matthew 18:16)

2.       Gergesene, Gerasene, or Gadarene? (Gergesene means someone who comes from a pilgrimage or fight. But Gerasa and Gadara were both cities to the south-east of the Sea of Galilee (Geresa is further from the coast)).

3.       What is the demoniac’s situation when he meets Jesus? (Compare with, say Mark 1:23-35)

a.       How does this compare with modern-day illnesses?

b.      Is it important to interpret this as demonic rather than mental or physical illness?

4.       Read Mark 5:8-10, Luke 8:29-31 Who spoke first—Jesus or the demoniac?

a.       Why might Matthew not tell us this?

b.      What do you think of the demons’ name?

5.       Read Matthew 8:30-32, Mark 5:11-13, Luke 8:32-33.

a.       Do you feel sorry for the pigs?

b.      Why might the demons want to enter the pigs? (And why are they arguing with Jesus in the first place?)

c.       What significance might the pigs have had, in human terms and in spiritual terms?

d.      The local people are probably not Jewish (since they keep pigs), but are probably well aware of Jewish culture. How might destroying the pigs make them view Jesus?

6.       Read Matthew 8:33-34, Mark 5:14-17, Luke 8:34-37

a.       Why might a healing frighten the people?

b.      Why might losing their pigs frighten the people?

c.       Are we more easily influenced by spiritual, physical, or social threats?

7.       Read Matthew 9:1, Mark 5:18-20, Luke 8:38-39

a.       Did Jesus go home or continue to travel in the Decapolis (and does it matter?)

b.      Why doesn’t Matthew mention the man wanting to follow Jesus?

c.       Who might we not want to imagine following Jesus?

In what sense would both these events be undeniably miraculous, rather than the product of magic (skill, wisdom, …)