The Essential JesusSample

Scary Story?

PRAY: Heavenly Father, as I spend time in Your Word today, please give me a deeper sense of Your power over sin and Your love for me.

READ: Mark 5:1-20

REFLECT: The reality of demon possession is difficult for modern minds to accept. It has become a popular plot line for scary movies. It's also a comic device: the cartoon image of a red-tailed alter ego sitting on someone's shoulder, whispering devious thoughts, always gets a laugh. But actual demon possession? That doesn't happen today, does it? From beginning to end the Bible teaches that the devil is real and that he's hell-bent on opposing God and destroying people (Genesis 3:1-15; Revelation 20:7-10).

We see a vivid example of that in Mark 5:1-20. The devil had been at work in this poor man's life for a long time. He had tortured his mind and body, and in the process alienated the man from himself and from society. Ultimately Satan wants to isolate us from God so he can destroy us (1 Peter 5:8).

But Jesus wasn't about to let that happen. First, Jesus took control of the situation and of the demons themselves (vv. 6-8). Clearly, Jesus was the higher power. Next, Jesus dealt with the demons once and for all (vv. 11-13), something the townspeople had never been able to do (v. 4). And finally, Jesus restored the man and gave him a renewed purpose in life (vv. 18-20). Often those with the darkest pasts become the most effective witnesses for God.

But this passage also contains two great ironies. First, the demons knew who Jesus really was. They almost sound like theologians, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?" (v. 7). But there's a big difference between saying all the right things about Jesus and accepting Him as Savior and Lord.

The second irony is the reaction of the townspeople; instead of rejoicing, they were afraid (v.15) and pleaded with Jesus to leave (v. 17). Maybe they thought Jesus was out to ruin their economy; two thousand pigs represented a lot of money. Or maybe they were nervous He'd come after the skeletons in their closets next. Whatever the reason, they pushed Jesus out of their lives and went back to business as usual, which is just what the devil wants.

APPLY: Is there a skeleton lurking in the closet of your heart? What will it take for you to bring this issue into the light – to Jesus?

PRAY: Pray about any unresolved issues in your past that still need healing. Also pray that God will protect you from false guilt as you do so (Romans 8:1; 1 John 1:9).