ESOCS Devotional 26 July 2025 – The Mysteries of the Kingdom
MEMORY VERSE: “A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane.” Mark 5:15 NLT
TEXT: MARK 5:1-16
Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.
6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. 7 And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.”
8 For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” 9 Then He asked him, “What is your name?”
And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” 10 Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.
11 Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. 12 So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.” 13 And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.
14 So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. 15 Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 16 And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine.
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Writing in the Book of 1 Thessalonians, Saint Paul insists that Christians must, without ceasing appreciate God in thanksgiving in all situations, and in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). He claims this to be the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning all true believers. This is more so, when we consider the numerous goods that Jesus showers on us out of His mercy, love and benevolence. Through Him God heals our diseases; He protects and preserves us from all attacks of demons. He favours us with all manners of breakthroughs in our daily endeavours. He teaches us the right way to follow, to mention but a few.
How much of all these have we sincerely appreciated Him in thanksgiving and labours of love? Overwhelmed with joy and surprise, the erstwhile demoniac became one of the greatest witnesses to the power of Jesus Christ over all forces of Satan. He went his way (as the Lord instructed), but published throughout the whole city, towns and villages, what marvellous things Jesus had done unto him (Luke 8:39).
What a great way to thank the Lord for His goodness? What a great means of spreading the Good News to others. It follows therefore that if and when our lives are touched by allowing Jesus to work in our hearts, we should, in appreciation, become a testimony to others of what Christianity is to humanity. We should become witnesses to others on how Jesus can change lives from bad to good (John 4:39).
Let the Great Commission, as commanded by the Lord become our major pre-occupation in our daily lives as believers (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16). Above all, let us always praise and give thanks to the Lord, for His mercies that endures for all seasons (Psalms 136:1; 118:1).
CHALLENGES
- The demoniac went everywhere testifying. When last did you share your testimonies with others – even in Church?
PRAYER POINT
- Lord Jesus, teach me your life of gratitude and thanksgiving.
FURTHER READING: Amos 7:1-17; 8:1-14; Mark 4:24-41
ESOCS Devotional 27 July 2025
