In Mark, Chapter 5, we read of Jesus’ encounter with a demon-possessed man who had been living in a graveyard among the tombs. His condition isolated him from all of society. The authorities tried to chain him in order to control him, but he tore the chains apart. No one was strong enough to subdue him. This man would cry out day and night and cut himself with stones. He was in utter agony and in a state of self-loathing. It’s hard to imagine his misery. Though we don’t know what brought him to this point in his life, to this place in time, we know that he needs help. When he sees Jesus, he knows that something is about to change. Jesus commands the impure spirits to come out of the man, and gives them permission to enter a nearby herd of pigs. The pigs immediately go crazy and run off a cliff, drowning in the water below. The man is set free. He is made whole again, his life has been saved, he has hope and a future because of his encounter with Jesus.

Jesus performed over thirty miracles recorded in the New Testament. Though he healed many who had physical diseases and maladies, his true purpose was to set people free. We can find ourselves bound and in anguish over a sin we are struggling to overcome, a loss we can’t reconcile, an addiction, or a relational, occupational or financial situation we can’t see a way through. We, like the demon-possessed man, can end up isolated and in mental anguish over our situation. No, we aren’t talking about demon possession, but we are talking about Satan’s attacks that can derail and sideline us if we don’t get the help we need.

The man in the story was isolated. This is one of Satan’s most effective tactics. When we are hurting, we often withdraw, feel we are all alone and that no one knows what we are going through. Isolation can lead to depression and self-loathing. Our minds are clouded and we lose sight of the truth. We forget who we are and whose we are. When the man saw Jesus, he knew something was going to happen. Had Jesus not passed bye, this story would have a very different ending. It took the power of Jesus to free the man from his life among the tombs. If you are living in misery, call out to Jesus, encounter the One who can set you free. There’s hope and help in Jesus Christ!

Scriptures – Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT); 2 Corinthians 5:17 (CEV); Mark 5:2-9 (NIV); Psalm 116:3-4 (NIV); Zephaniah 3:17 (GNT)

Verses – Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. (Ec 3:11) Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. (2 Co 5:17) The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!” (Ps 116:3-4) 

Questions – Why do people often stay away from their church, Christian friends and Godly support when they are struggling? What can we (as Christians/as a church) do to draw people toward God? Do you tend to avoid people who seem to constantly struggle? Are you…loving? approachable? available?                                  

Prayer – Gracious God, draw me close to you. I want to live in your presence. Thank you for Your power that forgives and covers my failures and struggles. Thank you for Christian friends, family, and my church family who love and support me in good times and bad. Help me to always move forward leaving behind the things that isolate me and separate me from you. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.