Slices
Prepare
Recommit yourself today to going on the adventure with Jesus to change the world. Pray that you’ll hear the Lord speak with you today, and allow him to change you by it in some way. That’s what discipleship is all about.
Bible passage
Jesus restores a demon-possessed man
5 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.
Explore
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 (v 1). Wouldn’t they have been more than a bit nervous? The sick man is afraid that Jesus is out to get him (v 7) and, for some reason, also fears freedom (v 10). The local villagers are fearful when they discover the previously-crazy man looking normal (v 15)! (You can never please some people!) ‘Get out of here, Jesus!’ they shout, scared of being around the supernatural (v 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?
Respond
Think about the three ‘Respond’ questions again from the note for Thursday 18 June... What reason do I now have: to believe Jesus more wholeheartedly; to trust him more deeply; to live his way more faithfully?
How are the words and events you’ve experienced today starting to change your life with Jesus?
Deeper Bible study
‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.’1
Mark 5 is a significant turning point in the Gospel. Leaving familiar surroundings, Jesus now takes his disciples across to the other side of the Sea of Galilee into Gentile territory. Many Jews living in the first century wanted nothing to do with the Gentiles. Imagine for a moment the reaction of the disciples when Jesus told them that they were going to a Gentile region comprising cities showcasing the power and culture of the Greco-Roman world. There were temples for various idols that would be an affront to the Jews. In addition, the typical lifestyle of sexual promiscuity and diet of ritually unclean food (such as pork, as demonstrated by the presence of pigs in these verses) would have been an abomination to the Jews. For a Jew, no place could be further from the kingdom of God than a Gentile territory such as this. Yet, by leading his disciples to the other side, Jesus was teaching them some very important lessons: Gentiles needed to hear the message of the gospel; the power of the gospel could deliver and set them free; and the disciples must be willing to cross boundaries – geographical, ethnic and religious – to reach others.
Here, Jesus set a Gentile free from demon possession – and the man then wanted to follow Jesus. Instead of acquiescing, Jesus told him to go to his family and friends and tell them all that the Lord had done for him. This man did just that and became the first Gentile evangelist in Mark. His obedience in sharing the love and mercy of Jesus prepared the region of Decapolis to welcome Jesus in his subsequent visit there.2 What an amazing outcome there can be, if we are willing to cross boundaries to reach out to others!
What boundaries must we cross today to bring the gospel to those who need to hear it? Think about someone with whom you could share God’s love this week.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Chronicles 10–12; Ephesians 1
Pray for Scripture Union
This week’s prayers all relate to this article.
Ask God to gently guide those children and young people, particularly those that aren’t part of a church, to discover that he is the one strong foundation that they need in life. Pray that their hearts and minds will be opened to the love he has for each one of them, and that in him their lives have unique purpose and meaning.
