Proclaim the Mercy
Mark 5:14 – Now the herdsmen ran off and spread the news in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15 – They came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man sitting there, clothed and in his right mind – the one who had the “Legion” – and they were afraid. 16 – Those who had seen what had happened to the demon-possessed man reported it, and they also told about the pigs. 17 – Then they asked Jesus to leave their region.
verse 18 – As he was getting into the boat the man who had been demon-possessed asked if he could go with him. 19 – But Jesus did not permit him to do so. Instead, he said to him, “Go to your home and to your people and tell them what the Lord has done for you, that he had mercy on you.” 20 – So he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him, and all were amazed.
The man who was possessed with the “Legion” lived among the tombs. Attempts were made to subdue him but he would overpower everyone who tried. They would put chains and shackles upon him but he would break them apart and tear them into pieces. So they left him alone to cry out and cut himself with stones until Jesus came to visit him. Not only was Jesus strong enough to free him from the “Legion” Jesus had the authority to command the “Legion” and tell them where to go. They begged Jesus to be sent into the pigs; Jesus gave the word and into the pigs they went – and the pigs drowned in the lake.
People were more afraid of Jesus than they were of the demon-possessed man. Think about our world today. I believe the “Legion” has been running loose, unchecked, shackling people’s minds with perverted thoughts and ideas so much so that our government authorities are affirming these perversions and making strange laws defending these things as normal and natural. But there are those who’ve been set free by Jesus – they’ve returned to their right minds and have proclaimed the mercy of Jesus with their testimonies.
There’s a major difference between the reports of people spinning a story of what’s happening around them and the stories of people formerly possessed proclaiming the mercy of Jesus. That difference is plain to see today. Has Jesus set you free from the “Legion” of perversions? Has He set you free from the “Legion” of addictions? Has He set you free from the “Legion” of bad habits and bad tempers? Tell someone what Jesus has done for you and that He had mercy on you. More people need to know of the mercy and power of Jesus. The mercy of Jesus that He would even care. And the power of Jesus to set the captive free.
Or perhaps the Holy Spirit has led you to these few words today and you’ve been on the brink of giving up being powerless to free yourself from the burdens of sin. Let Jesus set you free. He has the power to command the demons out of your life, clothe you with His righteousness, and create a right mind within you. Your voice may cry out to Jesus saying “Leave me alone” but Jesus knows that your heart is crying out to Him for mercy!
Dear Jesus even from a distance you see these tormented souls. I beg You, have mercy, touch their lives, command the “Legion” to leave and make them whole. Amen!
Where two are gathered 