The Power of Restoration
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
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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.
Meditate
“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.
Think Further
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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