July 10, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Mark? Here’s today’s reading:
Mark 5 (NIV)
Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man
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. …..Continue Reading
I just binge read Mark 1-5. I saw myself and my faith growing every time I read these passages. Belief in Jesus and his word and truly believing in your heart and soul has changed my life I have overcome many situations that have had resolution not always as I planned but once resolved I look back and thank God that I followed the path of knowing He will provide. God is good.
Reflecting on the people’s reaction when a herd of pigs threw themselves off a cliff after the legion came out of the man. It is quite interesting that they would ask Jesus to leave. I assume they weren’t too happy about losing the pigs but if you witnessed someone do something like that, wouldn’t you want to know Jesus more? I guess that describes our nature to hyperfocus on what we think is important and in the process miss out on the amazing works of God somewhere in our lives.
Faith! We must have faith and believe and this chapter is just another example of what can happen with faith even as small as a mustard seed! The woman believed Jesus had the power to heal, just as Jairus did! Even the demons would taunt Jesus using His full name in an attempt to beat Him because they knew who they were dealing with!
Our faith comes from knowing all God is and all He can do, has done, and continues to do and when we believe on Him we see His work in our lives and it is truly transforming like the people in this chapter!
I found it interesting that Jesus told the demon possessed guy to tell everyone what the Lord had done, but told those surrounding the healing of the young girl to not say anything about it. Was it because the demon possessed guy was in a place far from “home?” And maybe telling people in that area would not have the same effect?
Technically Jesus told the demon possessed man to tell his family what the Lord had done for him and yet the man proclaimed it in public. We can understand this more because we can only imagine what his family had suffered in seeing him suffer so much, and how powerful Jesus is to do what no one else could. But as much as miracles encourage faith in Jesus, they can also become sought after just for themselves without truly engaging in the truth of who Jesus is. So at times, especially here with raising someone from the dead, Jesus asks people not to tell so as to discourage improper seeking of Him.
Jesus performs three miracles in Chapter 5 each of which seems to be followed by a different instruction. The demon-possessed man, once cleansed is told to “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.”
The woman with the bleeding problem who touched His clothes to be healed is told “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
Jairus and his wife are given “strict orders” not to tell anyone about the healing of their daughter.
Was the last because the little girl was raised from the dead? This is not the only time He didn’t want the story spread but just curious.
The seeds mentioned in chapter 4. So relative to todays world with so much more materialism and pursuits of a greater life. Not to mentioned worries Sickness. Etc. every time I have the greatest blessing to lead someone to a relationship with Christ. I’m so concerned that it won’t last. I worried about Joe D. For the first few years. But he grasped with his mind and his heart. We have all seen many people get pulled from church because of “Not enough time in the week”. If you don’t have time for God more reason to at least fellowship at church. Get fed a little somehow. Nothing like digging in to the scriptures like bereans. Love verse 26-29. Spiritual growth only comes from a continuous gradual process bringing us to spiritual maturity. Just like a small plant slowly growing into a strong unshaken plant. Jesus calms the storm. One of my favorite truths. Jesus was living in his fathers timetable. He knew his time was not yet. So he sleeps through a furious storm in a boat. We should do the same. Nor was Jesus done teaching the apostles. Their time had not come. Been in a few very bad storms in the ocean. Thinking I’m not going to make. The the thought of I have much more to do brings the peace of God. He’s not done with me yet. Ok Jesus rebukes the wind. But he stops waves.!!!!!!! Chapter 5. Mark often mentions demon possession. I wonder if at that time when Jesus was walking on the earth there were more demons present knowing the son of God was waking the earth. Why did Jesus send them into unclean pigs instead of hell. ?? Judgement time has not come? Not sure. The same resurrection power lives in us. Lead a person to Christ years ago not realizing he was dabbling in occult. He called md one night to please come over. I went to see him he was not himself at all. Pacing and telling me demons had him trapped. I started praying and speaking of the blood of Christ. He fell to the ground moaning loudly and came to himself. Not something I’m looking to repeat. The faith of the outcast bleeding women is what made her well. That’s why Jesus called her out to show that by faith we are healed The dead young girl. Never give up as a believer. I know someone who’s heart stop for 10 minutes and the prayers of saints restored him Jesus never stops working on our behalf. And behold I am with you always until the end of this age!!!!!
Mark 5 Jesus calls out the demons that had possessed this man, and Jesus tells the man to go and tell of this miracle he performed. When Jesus went over to the other side of the lake and a woman who had been suffering for twelve years found out he was there she reached out and touched his cloak and she was healed because of her faith in believing in him, Jesus had been on his way to see a dying child when this happened and after the woman was healed he went to the house of the child who was already dead this time he took only a few disciples and the parents with him and he healed the child. Jesus had done three miracles. This miracle he had given strict orders not to share with anyone, my commentary says he wanted the facts to speak for themselves and he didn’t want people following him just to witness miracles.
Jesus can do little with those who don’t have faith, an example is when He returned home, have faith and don’t be afraid! I don’t believe I ever heard anyone speak those words to me, it’s common to become discouraged, fearful and lose hope… to the point it seems natural, but it’s not. Jesus’ words inspire me to be strong and courageous, I read those words as if He had given me my own personal pep talk, I love Jesus!
Mark 5
What a great chapter that reveals amazing power and gives insight into how things work in God’s economy. This interaction with the demons shows that in spite of the power they have over man, they cower in the presence of Jesus. They know exactly who He is and He has authority over them. it is curious why Jesus sends them into the pigs. Jews weren’t fond of pigs and so there may be something He is addressing there. It also show the pigs had the sense to know it was better to die than be possessed by a demon. But Jesus again shows power that accomplishes things that people can’t. What a tremendous testimony to this area..but sometimes people just don’t want what they don’t understand or can’t manage.
And this story of this woman is a favorite of mine: the desperation of humankind reaching out to Jesus and finding what we need. But how amazing to think that the thing that made that woman’s touch different from every other is that her touch was intentional and based in faith. She needed something and believed that Jesus could provide it. Imagine what it was like to be burdened with something that once again no one had the answer to, but the minute she touches Jesus, it is gone. And how amazing that Jesus could tell that power had left Him. What a picture into how that power worked. But it is no wonder that He said, by your faith you are healed.
And if power over demons and debilitating disease wasn’t enough, how about raising someone from the dead. I guess they had seen enough of Jesus to believe He could heal her illness, but once she had died, there’s no reason to bother Him…He certainly can’t do anything about that. The suggestion is even humorous to them. And yet Jesus shines yet again showing there is nothing He can’t overcome or have power over. How blessed that we can have a relationship with Him!
Mark 5
Mark 5
“And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.”
Made me think of the previous chapter and our scattering of the seed….to not be discriminating about who is “good soil”. Not sure I would approach a demon-possessed man…but then again, Satan is probably working in many people that we don’t discern.
I think it is interesting that the man runs to worship Jesus, even when he is possessed by Legion.
“And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,”
We never know who will have faith in Jesus.
Jesus when He got out of the ship was immediately met by a man possessed with many demons. Their name was called Legion for they were many. According to the dictionary a Legion in ancient Rome was a major military unit between 4,200 and 6,000 men. The demons in the man were very strong for they broke chains and no one could tame them. But were afraid of Jesus for they knew who He was. Jesus rebuked them and sent them into the pigs which ran down a steep place into the sea and drowned. There were about 2,000 pigs. Jesus showed His Person and His power in this event. Why the people wanted Him to leave after this great event is a good question. You would think that they would be interested in having Him around to at least ask questions. Perhaps it made them feel uncomfortable or maybe because their business was interfered with. Mean while the healed man wanted to join Jesus but Jesus told him to tell his people what Jesus had done for him. He went and told people what Jesus did for him. Then Jesus travels by ship and goes to the other side. A man called Jairus who is the ruler of the synagogue falls at Jesus feet asking Jesus to heal his daughter. He ends up getting there after this 12 year old has died but raises her from the dead. Jesus told them not to tell others what has happened. probably because He is trying to limit people from coming to Him to just see miracles. And of course Jesus heals the woman with an issue of blood for 12 years just by her touching His garment by faith. He feels His power go out and asks who touched Him. I think He knew but wanted to draw her out to talk to her. I believe that Jesus raised two people from the dead. This little girl and Lazarus not counting the people that came out of their graves when Jesus died. Unless my memory fails me. God bless you all.
Profound chapter. The fact that Jesus truly didnt know who touched him is a singular event in the new testament.
It shows and reiinforces, I believe, that Jesus truly is God, that the power and goodness of God could be grasped with but a fleeting touch of his garment with a nascent belief in Christ the messiah.