January 23, 2017
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

The Power of Restoration

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Lord, today lift from my heart the discouragement, cynicism and distrust of others that destroys my faith in people.

Read Mark 5:1–20

[1] They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. [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 how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reflect

“Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:41). Praise God for his power over all the forces of chaos in our lives.

Although Mark is the shortest of the Gospels, there are several stories that are told in great detail—and this is one of them. In the Greek text it is longer than Luke’s and much longer than Matthew’s summary (Luke 8:26–39; Matt. 8:28–34). It is full of vivid action and striking detail as it communicates Jesus’ mastery over the chaos in this man’s life.

There is some debate about exactly where the Gerasenes are located, but the end of the story refers to the Decapolis, ten towns to the northeast of Galilee that were largely Gentile. As Jesus steps out of the boat, this wild man immediately comes from the tombs—a word characteristic of this part of Mark. There has clearly been a lot of shouting going on; the man shouts at Jesus (7) because Jesus has already been commanding the spirit to come out of him (8). Mark paints a nightmarish picture. This man lives in the tombs, a place of fear on the (physical and metaphorical) edge of society. He has a supernatural strength, and, with his animal howling and self-harming, he must have looked barely human.

In contrast to this wild, inhuman spectacle, Jesus is in complete control. The man uses his name, perhaps as an attempt to wrest power from him, but Jesus demands to know the name of the spirit in return—Legion, suggesting the unwelcome occupation by an invading force. The spirit(s) recognize not only Jesus’ authority but also their own status, epitomized by the unclean pigs. Jesus uses his power not as a demonstration but for restoration—restoring the man to dignity (“dressed,” 15), sanity (“in his right mind”) and community (“to your own people,” 19). Yet the response from the people is fear; they will not accept Jesus’ reordering of their world.

Apply

Are there areas of your life that need Jesus’ restoring power? Are there areas of the life of your community that need Jesus’ reordering?

Closing prayer

Heavenly Father, keep me centered on You in the upheavals of life. You are my Rock, the cornerstone of my life.

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