Short Devotions: What Jesus Wants - Mark 5:7

Bible Reading:           Mark 5:1-10

Key verse:       He shouted as loud as he could, “Jesus, Son of the Most High God, what do You want with me? Vow now to God that You will not torture me!”       Mark 5:7

There’s a verse in the New Testament Letter of James that aptly describes what is going on here in this Gospel passage between Jesus and the demoniac. It reminds us that even demons recognize Christ for who He actually is. James writes:

‘You believe that there is one God? Good! Even the demons believe that--and tremble.’ – James 2:19

I’m struck by the fact that there are people in this world who refuse to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and yet, according to the Gospel, there are demons who know Christ and shudder. Those demons will never enter into the everlasting Kingdom of God and sadly neither will those who don’t believe in Jesus. With this in mind, we are soberly reminded as Christians that it is our mission to spread the Gospel through our acts and expressions of faith, in words and works. We don’t do these things to earn any eternal reward or divine merit. We do them to attract others to Christ and as ways of encouraging them to accept Him for Who He actually is.

Jesus was not concerned about the demon, but He was deeply troubled about the possessed man. He confronted the evil presence and rooted it out of the man, so that the demoniac could be liberated from his torment and troubles.

Christ’s ministry is still the same today. In a crazy, fearful, and tormented world, His compassion and concern is to give the people on this planet a better life, a better hope, and a better way. When people fully understand and accept that Jesus is the Son of the Most High God, then their lives are completely transformed and their days are filled with meaning, purpose, and the delight of God.

Question for personal reflection

Have I accepted Christ as the Son of the Most High God? If so, how has this changed my life?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, Son of the Most High God, we worship Your ways, words, and works in the world. We praise You for Your powerful presence on this planet and we seek to serve You with all of our lives. Grant us new opportunities to encourage others to seek and find You. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is John’s latest Appalachian drawing. It’s called “Heaven Meets Earth” and it is a sunrise depiction of the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6228/6878952464_a6dbda2089_b.jpg

Please note that John has limited signed editions of this print available. Just email him for details.