READ: Mark 5 (Focus vs. 1-6; 12-13 & 18-20)
MEMORY VERSE
Jesus . . . said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you.” Mark 5:19
BACKGROUND
Mario was a twenty-eight-year-old crack and alcohol addict who was imprisoned for burglary. At his sentencing the judge said he was “a waste of a human life.” Mario sadly agreed. Midway through his jail time he saw an advertisement for a journalism contest.
It piqued Mario’s interest, and he enrolled in a nearby university. He was hooked. Mario loved working on news stories, and after his release he finished his master’s degree in journalism and now writes for The New York Times. He’s a waste no more!
The life of the demon-possessed man living in the tombs seemed a waste to anyone who knew him. His neighbors bound him with chains for their protection and his, but “he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet” (Mark 5:4).
He ran back to the tombs where “night and day . . . he would cry out and cut himself with stones” (v. 5). Then he was changed forever. Jesus cast out the man’s demons and returned him to normal society. The town was amazed to find him “sitting there, dressed and in his right mind” (v. 15).
The grateful man wanted to sail away with Christ, but He said no. “Go home to your own people,” said Jesus, “and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you” (v. 19).
This man’s mission is our mission. Let’s tell others about Christ. Because of Him, no one’s life is a waste.
Mike Wittmer
INSIGHT
The man with the “impure spirit” had terrorized the community (Mark 5:3-4), yet Christ redeemed him, showing him compassion while confronting his literal demons. Mark writes, “When [the man] saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him” (v. 6).
Why would a man possessed by agents of Satan run to meet Christ, the enemy of Satan? Perhaps because even demons sense the irresistible compulsion to worship this “Son of the Most High God” (v. 7).
Just as Jesus demonstrated to the demon-possessed man that his life had value, we can be assured that because of Christ we’re also of immeasurable worth.
APPLICATION
What has Jesus saved you from? Where would you be without Him?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“…because of Christ we’re also of immeasurable worth.” Today’s Insight
PR’s TAKE
“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.” Psalm 139:13-14
PRAYER
“Dear Father, thank You for the immeasurable worth I have in You.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“BECAUSE OF JESUS” Charity Gayle
You made a covenant with me
Signed by the blood that still speaks
Now I’m forgiven, I’m called righteous
I’m made clean
There on the cross at Calvary
You gave it all to purchase me
You are the Savior and the God Who set me free
Now my heart cries, “This is my Redeemer”
With my whole life, I will give You praise
All the glory to the One who’s worthy
Because of Jesus, I have been changed
You made a way for me to enter
Into Your holy place forever
And now I’m hidden, I am covered, I found peace (yes)
Into your likeness You transform me
Making me holy, like You’re holy
No longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me
Now my heart cries, “This is my Redeemer”
With my whole life, I will give You praise
All the glory (to the one)
To the One who’s worthy (because of our God)
Because of Jesus, I have been changed
You bring freedom to the captives
Good news to the poor
Healing to the broken
And joy to those who mourn
You turn ashes into beauty
The ruins You restore
I am a testimony
Of the goodness of the Lord
You bring Healing to the broken…
And joy to those who mourn…
You turn ashes into beauty…
The ruins You restore
I am a testimony
Of the goodness of the Lord
Now my heart cries, “This is my Redeemer”
With my whole life, I will give You praise…
I have been changed
Because of Jesus, I have been changed
Thank You, Jesus
Because of Jesus, I have been changed
Thank You, God
Thank You, Jesus
For all that You’ve done
All You’re doing
And all You gonna do Lord
