Mark 5 - 9.15.25

SCRIPTURE:  Mark 5:6-8

“When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of Him.  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!’  “For Jesus had said to him, ‘Come out of this man, you impure spirit.’”

OBSERVATION:  A man with an impure spirit saw Jesus get out the boat, and came from the tombs to meet Jesus.  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.

When he saw Jesus get out of the boat from a distance, he ran and knelt down before Him.  Even though he was demon possessed, he was able to recognize Jesus, the Son of the Most High God!  He knew Jesus was powerful!  He begged Jesus not to torment him! Jesus asked his name, and as the demons spoke through him, they replied, ‘Legion’. because there were many!  They kept begging Jesus not to send him out of the region. The demons begged Jesus to send them into the herd of pigs that were feeding on the hillside. 

Jesus gave them permission, and the unclean spirits came out, and the herd of about 2,000 rushed down the steep bank and were drowned! The men who had tended them ran off and reported it to the people living in the town and country side, and they went to see what happened.  They came to Jesus and saw the man who had been demon-possessed by the legion, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.  The eye witnesses described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and told about the pigs.  The man who had been delivered wanted to stay with Jesus, and go back with Him in the boat. Jesus insisted that he go back to his own people and report to them how much the Lord had done for him, and how He had mercy on him.  So he went out and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and they were all amazed!

APPLICATION:  When we experience deliverance from God, we are to openly share our experiences with family and friends.  No matter what we’ve been delivered from, we are not to keep it hidden! We are to give God all the glory for what He has done!  We may not experience the same horrible struggle that this man had, but nevertheless, the same God Who delivered this demon-possessed man is also able to deliver us from anything that we may be struggling with!  All we need to do is to recognize that Jesus, the Son of the Most High God is all-powerful, and is able and willing to come to our aid when we call out to Him! 

Throughout the entire Bible, we are able to see the powerful ways God brought deliverance to His people. Those who were there to witness these miraculous events changed the course of history because they shared what God had done!  We as Christ-followers have been called and commissioned to go out and share how God has delivered us from our sins.  Our testimonies have the power to change lives! 

PRAYER:  I once was held in bondage and chains by the enemy… BUT GOD came to my rescue me and delivered me!  I’ve been set free to proclaim His holy and powerful name, and to give Jesus all the glory! Amen

- Robin Orefice