Living word for 29-April-2024. Scripture says, “They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 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. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 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!” For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”

Let’s not forget our theme question these days and it goes, have you met Jesus? Or have you encountered Jesus? They are two different questions but the answers are related. Truth is you cannot meet or encounter Jesus and your life remains the same, we have studied different examples of people who met Jesus and there lives were forever changed. Today we study one more account and the scripture says in mark 5 that, “They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain.” As they enter the region of Gerasenes a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet Jesus. This man by divine instinct knew that Jesus was in town.

It adds, “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. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.” A tomb in ancient days was a place where they burried the dead, this is where this man lived, among the dead. Crying night and day, cutting himself with stones, imagine the suffering he must have been going through little did he know that his story was about to change, Jesus the savior was in town. It adds, “When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 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!” This man was able to recognize that Jesus was a son of the Most High, meaning son of God. He falls on his knees in form of worship.

It adds, “For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” This one man had a legion of demons in him, what torment this must have been. A legion is about 3,000 to 6,000 demons, in one head!!! It adds, “And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.” This was because this region was demon infested, it was like their home and getting another home would be trouble. It adds, “A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” 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. Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened.” Notice its not this man who asked but the demons are the ones that asked to be sent into the pigs and Jesus granted them their request.

It adds, “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. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man —and told about the pigs as well. The people of this region came and found the man completely healed, he had encountered Jesus and was freed from a legion of demons, he was dressed and in his right mind hallelujah. Jesus has the power to put your life in order. Instead of them being happy about this, guess what, “Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.” They instead asked Jesus to leave their region, I thought they would ask him to stay but this was an unbelievers town.

It ends by saying, “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.” 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.” This man wanted to leave with Jesus but he gave him an assignment to go preach about his testimony and as a result all people in Decapolis were amazed. He was evidence that an encounter with Jesus can rewrite your story.

Be blessed
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