Word@Work 055 - Mark 5:9-13
Published: Tue, 02/05/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 5:9-13 Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. (NIV)
Interestingly, Jesus never rebukes demonised people, but spoke to the evil spirit and demanded its name. His authoritative command forced evil to reveal its nature. There was not one demon but many. Jesus had selected a man terrorised by a legion of spirits - a seething pot of evil. Jesus was to show that He had power to heal the most wickedly corrupted person, and throw Satan's forces out ... for ever.
For demons to barter their fate with Jesus may seem rather odd. But think of them as viruses: they can only live by taking over the living cells of a host. They would prefer the honour of drowning pigs than being without something to terrorise. Perhaps it was a measure of the number of demons exorcised by Jesus, that 2,000 pigs were so disturbed as to plunge into the lake.
When Jesus speaks, He does so with powerful effect. We must be both encouraged and challenged: encouraged that Jesus has far greater power than even the worst of evil; and challenged that He has placed His Word into our hands - what a responsibility. This should spur us to trust Him more, in the apparently impossible situations of today and tomorrow; and to dare to apply His Word where evil is at its worst.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You - that You have supreme authority and power: nobody is stronger than You. Please help me to believe this truth, and to trust You when things get impossibly out of hand. You can save people out of the worst places: so please help me to say what is true from Your word and point them to You. In the Name of Jesus. Amen
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
Interestingly, Jesus never rebukes demonised people, but spoke to the evil spirit and demanded its name. His authoritative command forced evil to reveal its nature. There was not one demon but many. Jesus had selected a man terrorised by a legion of spirits - a seething pot of evil. Jesus was to show that He had power to heal the most wickedly corrupted person, and throw Satan's forces out ... for ever.
For demons to barter their fate with Jesus may seem rather odd. But think of them as viruses: they can only live by taking over the living cells of a host. They would prefer the honour of drowning pigs than being without something to terrorise. Perhaps it was a measure of the number of demons exorcised by Jesus, that 2,000 pigs were so disturbed as to plunge into the lake.
When Jesus speaks, He does so with powerful effect. We must be both encouraged and challenged: encouraged that Jesus has far greater power than even the worst of evil; and challenged that He has placed His Word into our hands - what a responsibility. This should spur us to trust Him more, in the apparently impossible situations of today and tomorrow; and to dare to apply His Word where evil is at its worst.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You - that You have supreme authority and power: nobody is stronger than You. Please help me to believe this truth, and to trust You when things get impossibly out of hand. You can save people out of the worst places: so please help me to say what is true from Your word and point them to You. In the Name of Jesus. Amen
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
W@W055 | Word@Work 2008 © Dr Paul Adams | Provided by BeaconLight
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