What Jesus Did

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. But Jesus said, "No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been." So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.

—Mark 5:18-20 NLT

Key Thought


Amazing things happen when we do what Jesus asks us...

 

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. But Jesus said, "No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been."

—Mark 5:18-19 NLT

Key Thought


"Go... tell... everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been." What Jesus said is not a command just to the man freed from the demons, but also a command to us! God is merciful! God has saved us...

 

[After Jesus cast the evil spirits out of the man and into the pigs,] those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.

—Mark 5:16-17 NLT

Key Thought


Most folks are afraid of change. Many are also afraid of anyone who has the power to change them. Because the crowd couldn't explain how Jesus had power over a legion of demons possessing a man, they were...

 

[After Jesus cast the evil spirits out of the man and into the pigs, the] herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. 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, and they were all afraid.

—Mark 5:14-15 NLT

Key Thought


Let's be honest. Most people don't believe...

 

So Jesus gave [the evil spirits] permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.

—Mark 5:13 NLT

Key Thought


The evil spirits begged Jesus to grant them their request (Mark 5:10-12), so Jesus gave them permission. He had, and still has, power over the world of evil spirits. In fact, his death and resurrection have made that power over...

 

This man [who was possessed by evil spirits] lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. Whenever he was put into chains and shackles — as he often was — he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.

—Mark 5:3-5 NLT

Key Thought


So often, the power and influence of...

 

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake." So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed).

—Mark 4:35-36 NLT

Key Thought


Some things need to be shared in private. God's servants can't be in public all the time. Jesus often withdrew to pray. In addition, he pulled away from the crowds so his apostles could rest and rekindle their spirits. He also left the crowds...

 

Then the evil spirits begged [Jesus] again and again not to send them to some distant place.
There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. "Send us into those pigs," the spirits begged. "Let us enter them."

—Mark 5:10-12 NLT

Key Thought


"The evil spirits begged!" While the evil spirits overpowered the man and struck fear in the people who lived nearby, they begged Jesus! They knew they were doomed in the face of Jesus' power. Rather than...

 

[After Jesus calmed the storm,] he asked [the disciples], "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
The disciples were absolutely terrified. "Who is this man?" they asked each other. "Even the wind and waves obey him!"


—Mark 4:40-41 NLT

Key Thought


"Who is this man?" Ah! That's the real question we need to be asking. He is more than a man, but he was fully human. He is preexistent and created all things, yet was hung on a tree that he made and killed by...

 

Then Jesus demanded, "What is your name?"
And [the evil spirit] replied, "My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man."


—Mark 5:9 NLT

Key Thought


Today, because of all the e-commerce and the widespread use of credit and debit cards and various types of electronic payment, identity theft has become a huge concern. People find our key identification information and then take over "our identity" to steal our money by buying things in our names. Satan...