A miracle that failed to please all (1) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

Immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no-one could bind him, not even with chains.
Mark 5:2.3.

A miracle that failed to please all (1)
The Lord Jesus was crossing the Lake of Gennesaret in a boat. When He landed on the shore, a grim looking, demon-possessed man approached Him. He lived among the tombs and graves of the dead and went about naked. Everyone would be afraid of him. He had often been chained and had his feet shackled, but had always managed to free himself. No-one could tame him; therefore everyone avoided him. His restless nature drove him constantly around the mountains and the tombs. He used to scream and mutilate himself with sharp stones. He was a pitiful sight!

When this man saw Jesus, he ran up to Him and knelt before Him, shouting, "What have I to do with you, Son of the most high God?" The demon speaking through the man knew that Jesus is the Son of God, but that knowledge alone was insufficient to change and save the poor wretch.

Jesus ordered the demon to come out of the man. Before doing so, the demon begged Jesus to let him enter the herd of swine nearby, which the Lord allowed. The demon abandoned the man for the animals that, from shock, rushed down the slope and drowned in the lake. Their herdsmen saw the catastrophe and, being unable to prevent it, hurried into the town to report what had happened.

That unfortunate man was released from Satan's power. But what should have been an occasion for rejoicing turned out otherwise.

(to be concluded tomorrow)

Today's reading: Leviticus 20:1-27 · Psalms 68:1-9