Mark 5
May 6, 2022
“As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, ‘Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.’ So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.” (v18-20)
When the people of the Decapolis “pleaded for him to leave” (v17), Jesus obliged their request. But He did not leave their region without a witness. Jesus left them with a living testimony to His love and Lordship. This previously demon-possessed man became a missionary to their community. Rather than being allowed to join the disciples’ traveling ministry team, this man was commissioned to go home to tell the people there (who knew him) of all that Jesus had done for him.
Lord Jesus, I praise You for the way You transform lives! Thank You that You’ve transformed my life. I know I’ve not yet arrived, but I also know I’m not who I used to be. Thank You, too, that Your transformation always leads to a testimony. I pray that I would be faithful to give testimony to all You have done for me. May I testify to Your saving grace on Sunday mornings, and in whatever conversations You allow me to have, especially with those who have seen the evidence of my transformed life!
— Pastor Joshua Brooks
Use the following steps to guide your daily time with the Lord…
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Start with prayer. Ask God to open your heart to help you understand and receive His Word.
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Read and observe the passage carefully. As needed, read a second Bible version to help with understanding.
➡️ What does it say?
What does this passage teach me about God? What does it say about my sinful nature and my need for God’s grace? How does this passage point to Jesus?
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➡️ What am I going to do about it?
Does this passage include a promise to claim, an action/attitude to avoid/embrace, or a principle to apply? How can this truth apply to my life? What could my next step be? How can I share this with others? Is there a verse or section of Scripture I need to memorize?
