Matthew 8:28-34
Mark 5:1-20
Luke 8:26-39
These passages report Jesus driving a “legion” of demons out of a man who was possessed. Jesus drives the demons into a herd of pigs, and the pigs rush into the lake and drown. The people then beg Jesus to leave, and the man is sent home to his family and encouraged to share what has happened.
This event in scripture has always bothered me in some ways. Although it is another illustration of God’s power, the people could not have been rejoicing with the outcome. They begged Jesus to leave their area. A huge herd of pigs was destroyed in a short moment. And a “crazy” outcast was made whole to re-enter their community. But maybe this is exactly why this event is so important. God does not always please everyone with his power. There is suffering and there is loss. But God is there, waiting to take us in, to include us in His family for eternity.
Holy One, your power is mighty. Your power is not meant to please me, but to guide and lead me. Help me to hold you close, no matter the situation, good or bad. You are in control. Amen
Becky, transforming
pic by Kay
Matthew 8: 28-34, Mark 5: 1-20, Luke 8: 26-39
Mark 5: 6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me! 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit.”
This demon possessed man knew Jesus. He knew Jesus because the demons recognized Jesus and trembled. Like the demon possessed man we are all guilty of dealing with our own “demons”. They may not be as drastic as the ones described in these Bible readings, but …
Matthew 8:14-17...Mark 5:1-20... Luke 8:26-39
It is a strange and scary story .We read a very powerful example of Jesus setting someone free from the demons that possessed him. The story becomes more relevant to me as I acknowledge that I have demons that possess me which affects my relationship with Jesus. The possessed man is the most violent we meet and is in the grip of, not just one, but a legion of unclean demons. Yet this legion recognizes who Jesus is and even bows down before him. Jesus expels the demons from the man but allows them to enter a nearby herd of swine. They then rush headlong into the Sea of Galilee and are drowned…
In each of these tellings it is clear that the demons know exactly who Jesus is while humans are confused and frightened by Him. The people here were likely Gentiles as Jews would not have herds of swine, so they may or may not have known anything about Moses, the prophets or a future Messiah. What they did know was this stranger sacrificed their livelihood for the town outcast. The pigs were worth more to them than a precious human life restored. Things haven’t changed much. If this happened today, Jesus would be condemned by PETA in a press release, on billboard signs and in magazine and radio ads. Unbelievers reject Jesus because the Holy Spirit has not yet reveal…
2021-0204 Thursday, Daily Devotion - Mark 5:8 (NIV)
8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”
The one who tricks cheats, or deceives humans is an impure spirit. A reason a person deceives, cheats, or tricks is the person is being led by an impure spirit rather than a holy spirit. So I always learn that I should not hate or attack the person but help the person not being led by an impure spirit and kick it out of the person.
Lord, pour out Your Spirit to be able to discern the Holy Spirit from impure spirits so that I can help more people not being led by them but by Your…