RE:NEW
Jesus and the Demon-Possessed Man
WARM-UP
What is a talent you’ve always wanted to have? Why do you want that talent?
Have you ever tried to put something broken back together again and failed? What happened?
Name someone who has helped you through a tough time. What do you appreciate most about him or her?
WORD
When Jesus got out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an impure spirit met him. MAR 5:2
who sit among the graves
and spend the night with corpses;
who eat swine flesh,
and broth of impure meat is in their pots. ISA 65:4
Rashi’s Commentary
Who sit among the graves—So that a spirit of defilement of demons should rest upon them.
And . . . with corpses—Heb. וּבַנְּצוּרִים. They are the bodies of the dead, who are as placed in a siege (מָצוֹר), unable to get out.
And he did not let him, but said to him, “Go home to your people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” MAR 5:19
(Read also Mar 5:1-20.)
The story of the demon-possessed man paints a picture of the spiritual oppression one man faced. However, an encounter with Jesus Christ freed him and brought him back to his right mind, making him proclaim what Jesus had done for him across many cities.
1 We can experience spiritual oppression.
Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. MAR 5:5
The man’s will, mind, and body were oppressed and affected by an unclean spirit. The unclean spirit caused him to have inhuman strength, live naked among tombs, harm himself, and cry out night and day. He could not free himself, and no one else could either control or free him. There are thoughts or circumstances that oppress us, weighing down on our spirits and affecting how we live. What are some worries, habits, or doubts that can
oppress us? Was there ever a time you tried to free
yourself from oppression?
So they cried with a loud voice and slashed themselves as was their custom, with swords and spears, until blood gushed on them. 1KI 18:28
Rashi’s Commentary
And slashed themselves—An expression of tearing the flesh with an instrument, for such was their custom.
2 Only Jesus has the power to free us from spiritual oppression.
Then they came to Jesus, and saw the man who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. MAR 5:15
The unclean spirit in the man had named itself Legion, because those oppressing him were many. Jesus did what no other person could do—he threw the unclean spirits out of the man. The man’s oppression had been so strong that when people witnessed what had happened, they were afraid. But Jesus not only freed him and restored him to his right mind; he also clothed him. How can we respond to God's freedom and great compassion for us?
Samuel did what the Lord said, and he came to Bethlehem. The elders of the town hurried toward him, and asked, “Do you come in peace?” 1SA 16:4
Rashi’s Commentary
Hurried—(Lit., trembled) hurried out toward him.
3 Because Jesus brings freedom, we can proclaim what He has done for us.
19 And he did not let him, but said to him, “Go home to your people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
20 And he went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people marveled. MAR 5:19-20
The man wanted to follow Jesus wherever he was going next, but Jesus encouraged him to spread the good news instead to his own people, to tell them how much the Lord has done for him and about God's love and compassion. Jesus’ plan for the man was much greater than being freed from
spiritual oppression. It involved even the man’s people
27 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and tremble before the God of Daniel.
“For he is the living God
and he endures forever;
his kingdom is the one which will not be destroyed,
and his dominion will endure to the end.
and the communities around him. In your sphere of influence, who is God encouraging you to preach the gospel to?
26 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language that lived in all the earth:
“May your peace increase!
Rashi’s Commentary
Then King Darius . . . that lived in all the earth: “May your peace increase!”—As translated, that lived in all the earth: “May your peace increase!”
28 He rescues and saves;
he performs signs and wonders
Biblical Foundations Seminar on Tuesday, August 21 at 9 AM - 4 PM
Summit One Tower 1550 Mandaluyong You can download and read the bill here.
in heaven and on earth.
He who has also rescued Daniel
from the power of the lions.” DAN 6:26-28
APPLICATION
Have you ever experienced the freedom Jesus Christ brings upon receiving him as your Lord and Savior? Would you like to do so today?
What is one area in your life that you feel is an oppression that you need to ask God for freedom from? Who is someone you can ask to pray with you over that area this week?
Is there a family member or friend you know needs to learn about the freedom that Jesus offers? How can you preach the gospel to him or her this week?
PRAYER
Thank Jesus for freeing and transforming you through his saving grace. Ask him to reveal more and more of himself to you as you follow him.
Ask God to bring you to a deeper understanding of his freedom from oppression. Pray for the courage to stop trying to free yourself on your own, and to allow him to free you completely.
Pray for open doors for you to share the freedom that Jesus gives us with a family member or friend this week. Ask God to empower you to preach the gospel boldly at all times.
This work, "RE:NEW: Jesus and the Demon-Possessed Man" is a derivative of "RE:NEW: Victory Series" © 2018 by VICTORY® All rights reserved