July 1, 2025
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 1 Samuel and 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. 3This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain.…..Continue Reading
Jesus encounters a man with an unclean spirit called Legion. Called Legion because there are thousands inside the man. They are so powerful that they can`t be chained. They do fear Jesus and fall down and worship Him and say, “What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God? They pleaded with Jesus to send them away into the pigs. There were 2,000 pigs and when these demons entered them, they ran into the sea and drowned. There were probably at least 2,000 demons in this man who is now in his right mind. A miracle has just happened, and all the people can think about is getting Jesus to leave. But the healed man gladly listens to Jesus and goes back to share with everyone what Jesus did for him.
Now Jesus gets into the boat and crosses over to another area. The crowds find Him and press upon Him. In this Jairus, {a ruler in the synagogue}, pleads with Jesus to heal his daughter. On the way a woman with an issue of blood for 12 years reaches out and touches Jesus garment believing that she will be healed. She is healed and Jesus tells her that her faith has healed her. Finally, Jesus arrives at the house of Jairus. She is dead now and others think it is too late. He has Peter, James, and John along with the parents of the girl go in. He sends all others out. Jesus takes this 12 year old girl by the hand and tells her to rise. She does and is no longer dead. Jesus tells the parents to not tell anyone what has happened. Jesus` time hasn`t come yet so He doesn`t want any more attention than necessary. God bless.
What an incredible set of accounts here, especially if we read them like we have never heard them before. Jesus shows His power over the dark spiritual world, elongated illness and death. To the demon possessed man He speaks to the evil spirits, who recognize Him for who He is better than many. They recognize the right He has to do with them what He wishes. It is interesting that He sends them into the pigs. An unclean animal by Jewish standards, and yet in this, do we see a measure of mercy to them, or justice, recognizing their choice, or maybe better that Jesus is not always going to vanquish/eliminate evil just because He can. He allows the evil beings to do what they do because we He wants us to have a role at defeating them. And for those who seek Him, they will find the power to do so. For those who don’t, they will not find them inactive or unable. For the dead girl, He speaks primarily to the mourners to show that their function has no place here. Death is not really death in the One who can grant life. And then He speaks to the girl, simply to say rise. In other words, no acceptance or faith from the demon possessed man or the dead girl. Just the power of Jesus to manage what only He can manage. Ah, but int middle of these, the woman who knows exactly what she needs and is able to engage with Jesus. You can imagine as she is straining she is saying, if only I can touch Him…if only I can touch Him. But it is the touch of faith that matters and makes a difference. And because of her faith, she receives what she is looking for. Her faith would mean nothing without the power of Jesus and the power of Jesus would mean nothing to/for her without her faith. Connect the two, and it is a picture for every desperate or needy person that needs something from Jesus. And He is present, available and powerful, but it is faith that makes it work. Are we willing to set aside everything else we might believe and trust in…and say, no, Jesus, I trust in You!
Legion. This guy has thousands of demons. Jesus power over satan is no contest at all. Years ago came upon a man who was crying out in words that would imply possession. Kneeling in front of him and claiming just the name of Jesus and his blood. This man dropped to the floor with moans of exhaustion. Love pastor Peter’s speaking of the woman whose bleeding was cured. If you haven’t heard it, you haven’t been to church in a few weeks. Your seed is being picked up.
Quite an encounter, Mark! Thanks for sharing!
Mark 5
Mark 5
Mark 5 is a great demonstration of the power and authority Jesus has. It didn’t take much to heal that man from the legion of demons he had for so many years, the demons understood Jesus’s power and conceded to it by entering the pigs and Also What a great demonstration of faith and the power if you truly believe as that woman did, she believed that he could heal her by just touching him and her faith and his power healed her after 12 years of suffering.
Then Jesus does a miracle by just holding a little girl’s hand and telling her to get up as she had been dead. He has power and authority over all.
Two powerful things in this chapter that I love…
First, putting the evil spirits in the pigs seems like such a brilliant way to show us where evil and sin will lead us, Death! When we live in sin and don’t listen to the voice of God in our lives we are like these demon possessed pigs that are just running off a cliff. What a powerful reminder where a life of sin leads!
Second, how often do we put God in a box? We pray but do we pray expecting things to happen, truly believing that God can move our mountain like this bleeding woman? She knew in her heart that Jesus had the power to make her bleeding stop and she just needed to touch Him. She was not bound by fear, doubt, or other courses of treatment for her disease she knew there was only ONE answer and therefore she was healed!
Mark 5
It was mercy that restored the demon possessed man, faith that healed the woman and love that brought the girl to life. The Lord operates out of all three. When we have faith, he can do the most amazing things for us. All we have to do is believe and hand the reins over to God, knowing that it will all work out for good and for God’s glory. He knows what is best for us and he will make it happen. So we can relinquish our control, because God’s got this!
This one chapter demonstrates Jesus’ mercy, grace, compassion and power.
Mark 5
The power in Jesus touch his commands and healing powers. Unbelievable. Just believe and give it to God and Do Not take it back!