ESOCS Devotional 21 March 2023
TEXT: MARK 5:1-20
MEMORY VERSE: “And He gave them permission. And coming out, the unclean spirits entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, about two thousands of them; and they were drowned in the sea.” Mark 5:13 NASB
This story shows us that Jesus’ power can break into the most difficult parts of your life and transform you. Then you can more clearly reflect the image of God and live out your holy purpose.
On one side of the sea, is Galilee and all things Jewish. But on the opposite side, Jesus enters into the world of all things “unclean” according to Jewish law: unclean tombs, unclean man, unclean spirits, unclean pigs. In fact, the country of the Gadarenes is part of a large predominantly Gentile region made up of ten cities known as the Decapolis (deka-ten; polis-city–Decapolis). All Gentiles were unclean to Jews.
But Jesus breaks Jewish law in order to teach the spirit of the law. To Jesus, no one is so unclean, so far from God that he or she is beyond the loving, redeeming, healing reach of Jesus. No one! Jesus had already traveled a far greater distance than the width of the Sea of Galilee to transform this tortured, lonely man. He had left home, and throne, and the glory of heaven for him. He’s come that far to transform you too.
Well think about this. There is no indication that the demon possessed man had been praying to be transformed. Being a Gentile, he probably didn’t even know who Jesus was. But even still, Jesus intentionally puts this man’s healing into motion way back in chapter 4 verse 35. He wanted to set this man free. In fact, I believe it was the only reason he went there. He arrived, he healed the man, he got in the boat and came back home. Jesus knows what you need too, even if you don’t.
Even before the demon possessed man met Jesus, the Lord was already on the way to transform his life! No matter what your problem is, Jesus is already on his way to you.
He’s already got his mission to restore you; he’s already chosen his route, and he is on the way, bringing your transformation with him. Pray for it! Watch for it! Ask the Lord to give you the eyes to see it coming!
- What kind of transformation do you need? …
- Jesus my Lord I ask that you visit me with your transforming power and turn things around glory. Amen
FURTHER READING: Exodus 10:12-29, 1 Kings 22:1-28; 2 Thessalonians 2:31-17
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
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ESOCS Devotional 21 March 2023
