A silk purse out of sow’s ear! -- Matthew 8:28-34
A silk purse out of sow’s ear! -- Matthew 8:28-34
By Pastor Lee Hemen
August 11, 2019
The idiom “You can’t make a silk purse out of sow’s ear” means that one can’t make something good out of something inherently bad, however, with enough ingenuity it is possible to make a very passable “silk” purse out of a sow’s ear. In 1921 Massachusetts industrialist Arthur D. Little (who discovered acetate) obtained glue made from the skin and gristle of pig’s ears, and had it filtered and forced through a spinneret into a mixture of formaldehyde and acetone. The glue emerged as 16 fine, colorless streams that hardened and then combined to form a single composite fiber. Little soaked the fiber in dyed glycerin. Then he had the resulting thread woven into cloth on a handloom, and the cloth fashioned into an elegant purse.
There are certain individuals who are seen as unredeemable by society at large. And here in Matthew’s gospel we find several men who were considered such by their peers. The other synoptic gospels of Mark and Luke relate that it was only one man, but the number is unimportant because what happens to the unredeemable is far more interesting. In fact we discover Jesus making a “silk purse out of sow’s ear” spiritually so-to-speak. Let’s discover what happened…
READ: Matthew 8:28-34
I have always found it curious that silk is made from the web of a worm but then again we discover…
I. Silk can be found in the strangest places! (Vv. 28-29)
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?”
1. The area is Gadarenes in Matthew, and Gerasenes in Mark and Luke. The simple explanation of this difference is that Gadarenes and Gerasenes are different names for the inhabitants of the same large district, so called from Gadara and Gerasa, two cities of that region; while Gergesenes is the name of the people of a smaller district within the other, and named from the city of Gergesa. It was an area that wasn’t often visited by pious Jews because of its inhabitants. Yet, “When [Jesus] arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him.” We find it difficult to come in contact with the mentally-ill or drug-addicted homeless person who is aggressive but Jesus comes face-to-face with two demon-possessed men! Again there are those who try to lessen this incident by proclaiming they did not know about the mentally ill and would refer to them as “possessed”. While this could be true, I am quite certain Jesus knew the difference being God and all and we discover that they were indeed possessed individuals. And in fact we find that “They were so violent that no one could pass that way.” These two men had a reputation and folks were probably unlikely to willingly go the way Jesus and his disciples did so as not to confront these men but isn’t interesting that Jesus does just that? He deliberately goes where these deranged demon-possessed men lived. We see why folks were reluctant to go by the tombs where these men were because they shout to Jesus “What do you want with us, Son of God?” Sin does not like to be exposed and often gets angry at those who live lives of godliness because their lives are seen for what they truly are in stark contrast. Plus these guys knew who Jesus was. They immediately go on the defensive and demand “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” Isn’t it interesting that demons readily admit there will be a day of reckoning but we often can’t bring ourselves to admit that there will be such a day? An “appointed time” where both sinful mankind and those demonic forces are judged? Yet in all of their brash, harsh, and loudness Jesus sees them for who they truly are: men in need of a Savior. Silk can be found in the strangest places!
EXAMPLE: Haddon Robinson asks, “When you think of the term evangelism, what picture flashes onto the wall of your mind? A large stadium filled with people? A small booklet with a set of diagrams? A Christian wearing a pin with the symbol of a fish? A zealous believer playing intellectual chess with a pagan opponent? A salesman convincing a reluctant person to ‘try Jesus’?” Evangelism isn’t about being a huckster who cons people into buying what they don’t need. It has nothing to do with grabbing people by the lapels and shoving faith down their unsuspecting throats. “Evangelism is simply sharing with others what we know about Jesus. No tricks. No deception. Speak the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth—in love. Then leave the results with God.” Why? Because if we share like Jesus did we will discover that silk can be found in the strangest places!
Isn’t it interesting that the web of an ugly worm is dyed and made into some of the most beautiful garments and it is all because…
II. Silk is woven best by the hands of a master! (Vv. 30-32)
Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 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.
1. Sometimes convenience, coincidence, or circumstance dictates how we respond. And perhaps this was the case here. But I think not. This region was inhabited by non-Jews, gentiles, who raised pigs. It just so happens that “Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding.” I have wondered if sheep would have worked instead of pigs but the irony is found in it being pigs. In the Hebraic mind and in ours as well, demons deserve no better receptacle than a porcine repository. We discover that it’s as if they know what’s coming so “The demons begged Jesus, ‘If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.’” If he drives them out, of course he will. The whole scenario is set up for this moment. Jesus was there in that area for these men so they could be freed from their imprisonment. The demons were going to find a different abode whether they liked their new found accommodations or not. So in this instance Jesus grants a demonic request and “He said to them, ‘Go!’” I have found it kind of humorous how often today’s theatrics enters into the made up power of God at the hands of those who claim to have it. Arms are waved, specific intonations are made, and catch phrases are used in order to gain the attention of the unsuspecting audience. In some incidences they are even provided a sound track and dramatic lighting. It’s all about the show. But here it was all about the men who needed rescuing. With a simple word from God (Jesus) the demons “came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.” They drowned. It was perhaps the first cured ham. I guess they were the pigs who couldn’t do anything but what God (Jesus) commanded. Herein is the truth of this situation: Jesus was in total control. From where he sailed, the storm that brought them to this shore and where he decided to walk that day. The men who ran out under the influence of demons were now face-to-face with the Son of God. They understood his power and Jesus was weaving a tapestry that would be told over and over of how these demon-possessed men were rescued by the Son of God! Silk is woven best by the hands of a master!
EXAMPLE: An artist was once falsely accused of a crime and thrown into prison. Although allowed to take his brushes and paints with him, he had no way of obtaining a canvas. One day in desperation he asked a guard for something to paint on. The guard picked up a dirty old handkerchief and tossed it to him. He retorted, “There, see what you can do with that soiled rag!” The artist painted on it his concept of Jesus’ face. He thought he would show it first to the man who had given him the dirty rag. When the guard looked at the beautiful image he was moved and tears welled up in his eyes. The painting became famous. If one man could take an old, soiled rag and make it a masterpiece, just think what the Master Artist could do with your life. Silk is woven best by the hands of a master!
If you look at a silkworm under a magnifying glass they look terrifying and grotesque but here in Matthew’s gospel we discover that…
III. Sometimes silk frightens those who need it most! (Vv. 33-34)
Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
1. You may think it strange but not everyone likes it when people are cured, and especially when they are saved. Those who have had drug-addicted or alcoholic spouses often become co-dependent emotionally and spiritually to their addicted spouse and have a hard time adjusting to what a normal life with them should be like. The same is true for a family member who turns to Jesus and is changed. It was true for my life. My family struggled with it until they realized that God had done something they could not explain and came to grips with the fact. And it is true here in this incident as well because we find that “Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.” You would think they would have been happy, excited, or even a bit curious at the sudden cure of the two men. However business can overcome curiosity and when a whole heard of pigs is lost to a community that depends upon the porcine productivity of the local farmers this was indeed frightening. Add to this that there were demons and drowning involved! We do find that “Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus.” But it wasn't to praise him or to thank him for what had occurred because instead “when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.” Years ago I had a woman whose husband had come to Christ and was dramatically changed beg me to “change him back!” Of course I could not nor would I if I could. Just like we find with the Gadarene townspeople we find that sometimes silk frightens those who need it most!
EXAMPLE: “You can’t make me!” the youngster vehemently declared. She needed to take her medication but adamantly refused because she had choked on a pill before. All she could remember is the pill getting stuck in her throat and how it had made her gag. But the pill was necessary in order for her to get over her pneumonia. It can be quite disconcerting when your child refuses to do something that you know is ultimately good for them. Knowing that they will be okay is not comforting to the child in such circumstances because it can be quite frightening. Yet a good parent will persist because even though it may frighten the child, they need their medicine to get better. Here we learn that sometimes silk frightens those who need it most!
Conclusion:
Silk can be found in the strangest places! Silk is woven best by the hands of a master! Sometimes silk frightens those who need it most!
---
This article is copyrighted © 2019 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission.
By Pastor Lee Hemen
August 11, 2019
The idiom “You can’t make a silk purse out of sow’s ear” means that one can’t make something good out of something inherently bad, however, with enough ingenuity it is possible to make a very passable “silk” purse out of a sow’s ear. In 1921 Massachusetts industrialist Arthur D. Little (who discovered acetate) obtained glue made from the skin and gristle of pig’s ears, and had it filtered and forced through a spinneret into a mixture of formaldehyde and acetone. The glue emerged as 16 fine, colorless streams that hardened and then combined to form a single composite fiber. Little soaked the fiber in dyed glycerin. Then he had the resulting thread woven into cloth on a handloom, and the cloth fashioned into an elegant purse.
There are certain individuals who are seen as unredeemable by society at large. And here in Matthew’s gospel we find several men who were considered such by their peers. The other synoptic gospels of Mark and Luke relate that it was only one man, but the number is unimportant because what happens to the unredeemable is far more interesting. In fact we discover Jesus making a “silk purse out of sow’s ear” spiritually so-to-speak. Let’s discover what happened…
READ: Matthew 8:28-34
I have always found it curious that silk is made from the web of a worm but then again we discover…
I. Silk can be found in the strangest places! (Vv. 28-29)
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?”
1. The area is Gadarenes in Matthew, and Gerasenes in Mark and Luke. The simple explanation of this difference is that Gadarenes and Gerasenes are different names for the inhabitants of the same large district, so called from Gadara and Gerasa, two cities of that region; while Gergesenes is the name of the people of a smaller district within the other, and named from the city of Gergesa. It was an area that wasn’t often visited by pious Jews because of its inhabitants. Yet, “When [Jesus] arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him.” We find it difficult to come in contact with the mentally-ill or drug-addicted homeless person who is aggressive but Jesus comes face-to-face with two demon-possessed men! Again there are those who try to lessen this incident by proclaiming they did not know about the mentally ill and would refer to them as “possessed”. While this could be true, I am quite certain Jesus knew the difference being God and all and we discover that they were indeed possessed individuals. And in fact we find that “They were so violent that no one could pass that way.” These two men had a reputation and folks were probably unlikely to willingly go the way Jesus and his disciples did so as not to confront these men but isn’t interesting that Jesus does just that? He deliberately goes where these deranged demon-possessed men lived. We see why folks were reluctant to go by the tombs where these men were because they shout to Jesus “What do you want with us, Son of God?” Sin does not like to be exposed and often gets angry at those who live lives of godliness because their lives are seen for what they truly are in stark contrast. Plus these guys knew who Jesus was. They immediately go on the defensive and demand “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” Isn’t it interesting that demons readily admit there will be a day of reckoning but we often can’t bring ourselves to admit that there will be such a day? An “appointed time” where both sinful mankind and those demonic forces are judged? Yet in all of their brash, harsh, and loudness Jesus sees them for who they truly are: men in need of a Savior. Silk can be found in the strangest places!
EXAMPLE: Haddon Robinson asks, “When you think of the term evangelism, what picture flashes onto the wall of your mind? A large stadium filled with people? A small booklet with a set of diagrams? A Christian wearing a pin with the symbol of a fish? A zealous believer playing intellectual chess with a pagan opponent? A salesman convincing a reluctant person to ‘try Jesus’?” Evangelism isn’t about being a huckster who cons people into buying what they don’t need. It has nothing to do with grabbing people by the lapels and shoving faith down their unsuspecting throats. “Evangelism is simply sharing with others what we know about Jesus. No tricks. No deception. Speak the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth—in love. Then leave the results with God.” Why? Because if we share like Jesus did we will discover that silk can be found in the strangest places!
Isn’t it interesting that the web of an ugly worm is dyed and made into some of the most beautiful garments and it is all because…
II. Silk is woven best by the hands of a master! (Vv. 30-32)
Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 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.
1. Sometimes convenience, coincidence, or circumstance dictates how we respond. And perhaps this was the case here. But I think not. This region was inhabited by non-Jews, gentiles, who raised pigs. It just so happens that “Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding.” I have wondered if sheep would have worked instead of pigs but the irony is found in it being pigs. In the Hebraic mind and in ours as well, demons deserve no better receptacle than a porcine repository. We discover that it’s as if they know what’s coming so “The demons begged Jesus, ‘If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.’” If he drives them out, of course he will. The whole scenario is set up for this moment. Jesus was there in that area for these men so they could be freed from their imprisonment. The demons were going to find a different abode whether they liked their new found accommodations or not. So in this instance Jesus grants a demonic request and “He said to them, ‘Go!’” I have found it kind of humorous how often today’s theatrics enters into the made up power of God at the hands of those who claim to have it. Arms are waved, specific intonations are made, and catch phrases are used in order to gain the attention of the unsuspecting audience. In some incidences they are even provided a sound track and dramatic lighting. It’s all about the show. But here it was all about the men who needed rescuing. With a simple word from God (Jesus) the demons “came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.” They drowned. It was perhaps the first cured ham. I guess they were the pigs who couldn’t do anything but what God (Jesus) commanded. Herein is the truth of this situation: Jesus was in total control. From where he sailed, the storm that brought them to this shore and where he decided to walk that day. The men who ran out under the influence of demons were now face-to-face with the Son of God. They understood his power and Jesus was weaving a tapestry that would be told over and over of how these demon-possessed men were rescued by the Son of God! Silk is woven best by the hands of a master!
EXAMPLE: An artist was once falsely accused of a crime and thrown into prison. Although allowed to take his brushes and paints with him, he had no way of obtaining a canvas. One day in desperation he asked a guard for something to paint on. The guard picked up a dirty old handkerchief and tossed it to him. He retorted, “There, see what you can do with that soiled rag!” The artist painted on it his concept of Jesus’ face. He thought he would show it first to the man who had given him the dirty rag. When the guard looked at the beautiful image he was moved and tears welled up in his eyes. The painting became famous. If one man could take an old, soiled rag and make it a masterpiece, just think what the Master Artist could do with your life. Silk is woven best by the hands of a master!
If you look at a silkworm under a magnifying glass they look terrifying and grotesque but here in Matthew’s gospel we discover that…
III. Sometimes silk frightens those who need it most! (Vv. 33-34)
Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
1. You may think it strange but not everyone likes it when people are cured, and especially when they are saved. Those who have had drug-addicted or alcoholic spouses often become co-dependent emotionally and spiritually to their addicted spouse and have a hard time adjusting to what a normal life with them should be like. The same is true for a family member who turns to Jesus and is changed. It was true for my life. My family struggled with it until they realized that God had done something they could not explain and came to grips with the fact. And it is true here in this incident as well because we find that “Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.” You would think they would have been happy, excited, or even a bit curious at the sudden cure of the two men. However business can overcome curiosity and when a whole heard of pigs is lost to a community that depends upon the porcine productivity of the local farmers this was indeed frightening. Add to this that there were demons and drowning involved! We do find that “Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus.” But it wasn't to praise him or to thank him for what had occurred because instead “when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.” Years ago I had a woman whose husband had come to Christ and was dramatically changed beg me to “change him back!” Of course I could not nor would I if I could. Just like we find with the Gadarene townspeople we find that sometimes silk frightens those who need it most!
EXAMPLE: “You can’t make me!” the youngster vehemently declared. She needed to take her medication but adamantly refused because she had choked on a pill before. All she could remember is the pill getting stuck in her throat and how it had made her gag. But the pill was necessary in order for her to get over her pneumonia. It can be quite disconcerting when your child refuses to do something that you know is ultimately good for them. Knowing that they will be okay is not comforting to the child in such circumstances because it can be quite frightening. Yet a good parent will persist because even though it may frighten the child, they need their medicine to get better. Here we learn that sometimes silk frightens those who need it most!
Conclusion:
Silk can be found in the strangest places! Silk is woven best by the hands of a master! Sometimes silk frightens those who need it most!
---
This article is copyrighted © 2019 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission.
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