SWINE!
Opening Prayer
Speak to me today, Lord, and change me through Your Word.
Read Mark 5:1–20
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man
5 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.[a] 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 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. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
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!”
9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” 13 He gave them permission, and the impure 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.
14 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.
18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis[b] how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
Footnotes:
a Mark 5:1 Some manuscripts Gadarenes; other manuscripts Gergesenes
b Mark 5:20 That is, the Ten Cities
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Recommit yourself today to going on the adventure with Jesus to change the world.How much fear did you spot in all these events? The world of this miracle is beset with fear. Jesus leads His disciples into “unknown” Gentile land (1). Wouldn’t they have been more than a bit nervous? The sick man is afraid that Jesus is out to get him (7) and, for some reason, also fears freedom (10). The local villagers are fearful when they discover the previously-crazy man looking normal (15)! (You can never please some people!) “Get out of here, Jesus!” they shout, scared of being around the supernatural (17). Fear is everywhere. The only key players we don’t know about are the pigs!
Jesus, the only fearless one, breaks through everyone’s fear to meet, heal, and release the man who is incapable of leading a normal life and desperately needs Him. Walking with Jesus, ready to change the world, what are your fears?
Apply
Think yet again about the three “Apply” questions from Friday, February 5. How are the words and events you’ve experienced today starting to change your life with Jesus?
Closing prayer
Change my life, Lord. I want Your transforming power in me. And I want to share what You’ve done with everyone around me.
Book and Author Intros
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