The longest day in the life of Jesus

There has never been a person like the Lord Jesus! John the apostle said that if everything Jesus did was recorded, “The world itself could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25). We only have about 65 to 70 days of the life of Jesus in the New Testament. One such day- the longest day- gives us profound insights into the life and ministry of Jesus.

The day began with Jesus healing a man. Matthew 12:22 says, “Then a demon possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Him, and He healed him, so that the man spoke and saw.” The people were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” Jesus healed the man. He was no longer demon possessed. He could see. He could speak. It was an incredible moment!

Unfortunately, the Pharisees led the people in rejecting Jesus. His actions were clearly supernatural. The Pharisees as the spiritual leaders of Israel only had two options. The power of Jesus either came from the Holy Spirit or from Satan himself. The Pharisees said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this Man casts out demons” (verse 24). The Pharisees made the absurd claim that Satan was casting out his own demons!

At this point the nation of Israel made a tragic choice. They followed the Pharisees and rejected Jesus. The tension was so great the family of Jesus came to lead Him away (Mark 3:21). It was a moment of high drama.

The day continued with Jesus teaching the multitudes in parables (Matthew 13). Jesus taught the people. He explained the nature of His kingdom program. It was a long and exhausting day. Matthew 13:1-2 says, “That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about Him, so that He got into a boat and sat down.” There were so many people Jesus had to teach from a boat.

Mark 4:35 says, “On that day, when evening had come, He said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’” As they crossed the Sea of Galilee a great windstorm arose. The waves were breaking into the boat. The boat was filling with water. The Sea of Galilee is long, narrow and shallow. It is surrounded by steep hills. Storms with high winds come quickly.

Jesus was exhausted from the long day. He was asleep in the front of the boat. His apostles woke Him and said, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38). Jesus rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Verse 39 says, “And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” His disciples were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” (verse 40).

On reaching the other side, two demon possessed men confronted Jesus. These men intimidated everyone. No chain could hold them. They lived among the tombs and the mountains. They were naked. They cut themselves with stones. Jesus asked the demon his name. He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many” (Matthew 5:9). A Roman legion consisted of between 3,000 and 6,000 men. These men were impacted by many demons.

Earlier Jesus was accused by the Pharisees of being demon possessed. That very same day the Bible shows us what a demonically controlled person looks like. Satan does not heal people. He destroys people. The devil does not teach the truth. Jesus faithfully taught the truth. Jesus healed the man who was blind, demon possessed and mute. The two demon possessed men’s lives were destroyed by these many demons.

Jesus cast out the demons. Mark 5:15 focuses upon one of the men. The man was, “Sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they (the people) were afraid.” The man begged to follow Jesus. Jesus said, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you” (verse 19).

Three great lessons flow from this longest day in the life of Jesus. First, Jesus was a man of action. Jesus was not just man. He was also fully God. One person said, “Jesus is not a man we could invent neither is He a man we would invent if we could.” Jesus is clearly supernatural. Healing the blind, casting out demons, teaching the truth, calming the storm and all in one day! Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God.

Second, no person can be neutral about Jesus. Every person must choose either for Him or against Him. The Pharisees were the spiritual leaders of Israel. They were responsible for leading the nation astray. God has provided more than enough evidence. We must weigh the facts and choose for ourselves. Our faith and trust for salvation and life must be in His Son.

Third, our God is a God of mercy. Jesus showed mercy to the demon possessed man. Jesus has shown mercy to you and me also. Jesus left heaven, came to earth and lived a perfect life. He died for our sins. He died in my place and in your place. He died as our substitute for our sins. Won’t you turn and place your trust in Him today? The best news is that the perfect righteousness of Christ can be credited to your life by repentance and faith.

Ethan Hansen is the pastor at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake