Word@Work 053 - Mark 5:1-5
Published: Fri, 02/01/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 5:1-5 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no-one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. For 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. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. (NIV)
The storm has been stilled, and the disciples taught vital lessons in faith. The next challenge was a demonised man! From overwhelming waves - to a face to face encounter with a man who nobody could tame. These verses provide graphic evidence of his wild violence. Superhumanly strong, but at the same time he had been robbed of his God-given dignity. Inside, he was a mess ... disturbed and distraught: outside he was self mutilating. This man had a problem that nobody could control, and nor could he. He was propelled away from the living to make his home among the dead.
His problem was an evil spirit who had assumed the right to dominate him; body, mind and spirit. And it is clear from the way which Jesus dealt with that spirit (as we will see in the next reading) that He had no doubt that evil personalities (demons) can take over people's lives. This was not a defect of the man's mind, but an invasion of his spirit. So why did the man come to meet Jesus? Satan's nature is bent on confronting God, attempting to prove his petty power. That was the essence of the wilderness encounter. If Satan can get Jesus on the ropes ... then all hell is let loose.
But what a sad specimen Satan's victim had become. Indeed, all who swallow his evil lures are unable to be at peace with others or even themselves. So Jesus has come to set such people free - and by a far greater power than they are bound by. That is the promise of the Gospel for all who will come to Jesus. So when the Lord gets you involved and out of your depth, remember that Jesus has come to destroy the works of the Evil One (1 John 3:8b). Don't back off, in the power of the Holy Spirit administer truth in the Name of Jesus!
Prayer: Heavenly Father. I bring to you those who I know who are unable to control themselves; I believe that you can release them and set them free. When things get too much for me to handle, I know that Your power is more than sufficient to meet the need. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
The storm has been stilled, and the disciples taught vital lessons in faith. The next challenge was a demonised man! From overwhelming waves - to a face to face encounter with a man who nobody could tame. These verses provide graphic evidence of his wild violence. Superhumanly strong, but at the same time he had been robbed of his God-given dignity. Inside, he was a mess ... disturbed and distraught: outside he was self mutilating. This man had a problem that nobody could control, and nor could he. He was propelled away from the living to make his home among the dead.
His problem was an evil spirit who had assumed the right to dominate him; body, mind and spirit. And it is clear from the way which Jesus dealt with that spirit (as we will see in the next reading) that He had no doubt that evil personalities (demons) can take over people's lives. This was not a defect of the man's mind, but an invasion of his spirit. So why did the man come to meet Jesus? Satan's nature is bent on confronting God, attempting to prove his petty power. That was the essence of the wilderness encounter. If Satan can get Jesus on the ropes ... then all hell is let loose.
But what a sad specimen Satan's victim had become. Indeed, all who swallow his evil lures are unable to be at peace with others or even themselves. So Jesus has come to set such people free - and by a far greater power than they are bound by. That is the promise of the Gospel for all who will come to Jesus. So when the Lord gets you involved and out of your depth, remember that Jesus has come to destroy the works of the Evil One (1 John 3:8b). Don't back off, in the power of the Holy Spirit administer truth in the Name of Jesus!
Prayer: Heavenly Father. I bring to you those who I know who are unable to control themselves; I believe that you can release them and set them free. When things get too much for me to handle, I know that Your power is more than sufficient to meet the need. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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