Mark 5:1-20
Find a way to separate yourself from whatever’s going on around you so you can fully enter into today’s passage. if you haven’t read the introduction to Mark’s Gospel, read it here.
Read Mark 5:1-20 imagining yourself as an inhabitant of the Gerasenes on the east side of the Sea of Galilee.
After the high drama in the middle of the lake (Mark 4:30-34), Jesus and his closest followers reach the shores of the Genaseres in the Decapolis (Ten Cities), a region inhabited mostly by Gentiles. But ethnicity doesn’t seem to cross Jesus’ mind when he encounters a man locked in a prison of demonic torture. He simply tells the “evil spirits” to get out, and these spirits, knowing who Jesus is and what he is capable of, beg him not to destroy them. In a later New Testament writing, James, the half-brother of Jesus will make the point that simply believing in God is not enough, because even demons believe and tremble. Here we see that played out in real time.
And then the miracle. The demonized monster of a Gentile man is made whole and right, but his mental healing has an economic cost to others. When the well-being and mental stability of a human being is weighed against the disruption of a carefully maintained economic system and comes up short, instead of begging Jesus to heal them all, they beg him to go away and leave them to their familiar lifestyle. Only one person experiences transformation, and he can’t help but to go out and share his good news with anyone who will listen.
Read Mark 5:1-20 again imagining that you are the person who is spiritually and mentally healed.
When a group or individual that has been marginalized or oppressed by those around them begins to break free, there is often a cost to others for a time. Take a few minutes to sit in the presence of Jesus and let this sink in.
Would you be willing to give up some of your comfort, lifestyle or even livelihood if it meant that someone else would be restored to wellbeing?
The people of the Genesares rejected all the spiritual, physical and emotional benefits of knowing and trusting Jesus. Are you holding on to anything that keeps you from fully trusting and following Jesus?
Be completely honest with Jesus about your thoughts right now. Ask him transform even your desires so you can experience his freedom fully.
If you sense Jesus inviting you to do something specific, make a plan to follow through.
If these meditations are helpful to you, please forward them to couple of friends.
Interested in going deeper? Check out The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide and blog.
