Day 3
Tuesday, April 07, 2020
1 So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. 4 Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones. 6 When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. 7 With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.” 9 Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?”And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.” 10 Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place. 11 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. 12 “Send us into those pigs,” the spirits begged. “Let us enter them.”13 So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water. 14 The herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. 15 A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. 16 Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. 17 And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone. 18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. 19 But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” 20 So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.
Mark 5:1-20
Jesus demonstrated His Lordship over evil spirits everywhere He went. Scriptures tell us that the purpose for which He was manifested was to “destroy the works of the devil.” An extreme example of demonic possession here is a perfect reminder that satan and his minions are very busy even today but thankfully we have the power to rout demonic forces in His matchless name. Pray forcefully today against every work of the evil one against you, your family and God’s church.
What else do you see? There is always plenty!
The people in the nearby town asked Jesus to go away because their economy was threatened or so they thought. The fear of what more could happen after losing a large herd of pigs (2,000) drove their decision to plead with Him to leave their shores. They already concluded that with Jesus around their economy would tank. They obviously didn’t care about the man who had been suffering bondage under the rule of a legion of evil spirits. They could care less. What if they had asked this Man who had exhibited such great power to fix their broken economy rather than give in to fear. This mirrors our world today. Many are far more concerned about economic progress than we are about individual spiritual well being. Will this Covid 19 result in people saying “Jesus please leave us alone, there’s enough damage already to our economies, we can figure things out on our own?” I hope not.
When we decide to FOLLOW Jesus, he makes sure he gives us the right direction that we should go. Though it might seem stupid, but total obedience will benefit us. Yes Jesus was asked to leave because of economic reasons, but I am sure the obedience of the man in tellling others how great Jesus is made people want to know Jesus and also follow him. vs 20 says they were amazed at the mans’ teaching and this I think caused a great crowd in verse 21 to gather and wait for Jesus’s teaching at the other side.
100% agreed. What the people lost in sending Jesus away became the gain of those who were prepared to listen.
What sticks out to me and what I find interesting is when the spirits came out of the man they entered around 2,000 pigs. Which means there must have been at least 2,000 demons inside of this man. First point that is interesting is 2,000 demons came out of 1 man, but they had to disperse to 2,000 individual pigs? The second thing that is interesting is how can 2,000 demons fit in one man? It’s something Supernatural! The spirit realm operates on a different level than the physical. We also know that whatever spiritual law is in operation allowing multiple demons to live in this man must also work in a positive way with us. Meaning God can fit thousands of heavenly things inside of our spirits as well.
God continue to fit thousands of godly things into our spirits. May we be open to receive. Amen