Daily Bread 2010 - Mark 5
Daily Bread 2010 – Mark 5
Mark 5
The Healing of a Demon-possessed Man
1They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. 4For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
6When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!" 8For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"
9Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"
"My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." 10And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
One of the distinctive aspects of Mark’s gospel is the display of Jesus’ power. Mark begins in chapter 1 by saying, “The Kingdom of God is at hand”, and then proceeds to show how Jesus walks in this kingdom power and authority. This is illustrated so well in the story of the man who was oppressed by many demons. The word used is “legion”, which means an army or many. Apparently Legion was a leader or commander of many other demons (2,000).
But the bottom line is that these demons recognize power when they see it. Although they have some power to harass, it doesn’t compare with the authority and power Jesus has. That is why right away they plead with Jesus to be easy on them. In the end, Jesus rids the man of the many demons and disposes of them into some nearby pigs. The legion rush into the lake are drowned. Instead of rejoicing at this man’s deliverance the people are more concerned about losing the pigs.
As Jesus walks in this power we may be tempted to say, “Well that’s Jesus, of course he has this kind of power, He is God!” But as we will see in the coming chapters, Jesus wants his disciples (including you and me) to live and operate in this same authority and power as sons and daughters of God, and princes and princesses of the King!
Prayer; Jesus thank you for showing us how to use power for good, and not for evil. Thank you for being the ultimate authority figure. As we discover and own our authority and power as your disciples, help us to use it for the sake of Your Kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Mark 5
The Healing of a Demon-possessed Man
1They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. 4For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
6When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!" 8For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"
9Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"
"My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." 10And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
One of the distinctive aspects of Mark’s gospel is the display of Jesus’ power. Mark begins in chapter 1 by saying, “The Kingdom of God is at hand”, and then proceeds to show how Jesus walks in this kingdom power and authority. This is illustrated so well in the story of the man who was oppressed by many demons. The word used is “legion”, which means an army or many. Apparently Legion was a leader or commander of many other demons (2,000).
But the bottom line is that these demons recognize power when they see it. Although they have some power to harass, it doesn’t compare with the authority and power Jesus has. That is why right away they plead with Jesus to be easy on them. In the end, Jesus rids the man of the many demons and disposes of them into some nearby pigs. The legion rush into the lake are drowned. Instead of rejoicing at this man’s deliverance the people are more concerned about losing the pigs.
As Jesus walks in this power we may be tempted to say, “Well that’s Jesus, of course he has this kind of power, He is God!” But as we will see in the coming chapters, Jesus wants his disciples (including you and me) to live and operate in this same authority and power as sons and daughters of God, and princes and princesses of the King!
Prayer; Jesus thank you for showing us how to use power for good, and not for evil. Thank you for being the ultimate authority figure. As we discover and own our authority and power as your disciples, help us to use it for the sake of Your Kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
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