Mark 5:6-8 “When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!" 8 For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"
Have you ever considered the fact that men question the true identity of Jesus Christ and yet there is testimony after testimony in the pages of scripture that even the demons recognized Jesus both for His position as God’s Son and for the fact that He has complete, unquestioned authority over them? You never see the demons arguing, nor fighting against Him in their responses to Him. In almost all cases where the story is told not simply a reference to a particular deliverance the story includes Jesus silencing the demons because they knew who He was!
It is such a wondrous thing to see the power and authority of the life of Jesus. He did not struggle against and barely overcome the challenge of demonic opposition. He boldly and confidently took authority over every unclean spirit. And when His own disciples failed to set the captive free in Mark 9 still Jesus exercised complete authority over the demons that bound the boy.
This passage in Mark 5 exalts the glory and authority of Jesus in a powerful way. Men had attempted every known solution to either help or restrain this demonized man. He lived amongst the caves near this town and filled men’s hearts with fear. I am certain that people avoided him and possibly even ran from him whenever he came near and yet to Jesus he was an opportunity to bring praise to God. To Jesus he was a man in need of rescue. I believe that in the same way that Jesus knew ahead of time that Lazarus was going to die and that He would go and raise him from the dead, Jesus knew that this man was waiting on the other side of the sea of Galilee and it was Christ’s intention from the start to bring this day of deliverance for a captive life! It was mercy that compelled Jesus to cross the waters that day. When Jesus calmed the storm on the way across the sea as they were headed to Gadarene Jesus spoke with confidence to the winds. He had already seen the other side!!! He knew that a great victory for God was waiting there and no storm was going to stop Him!
The demonized man does not attack Christ. He does not run away from Him. The authority of Christ was is so complete that the demons binding this man come cowering at His feet like a dog that is fearful of its master! There is no defiance in his voice, only cries for mercy. “Swear to God that you won’t torture me!” He knew with absolute certainty who Jesus was and the measure of His power! “Son of the Most High God!” There is no higher power but Jesus! The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Cor 5:10 “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” Even the demons know of this seat and tremble with fear. Do you have the same revelation of Christ that they possess? Let the knowledge of Christ’s matchless power and glory move you to live differently. Live in the light of who He is and the day of judgment that is awaiting you! Live worthy of the price He paid for you!
No comments:
Post a Comment