A miracle that failed to please all (2) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

They came to Jesus and saw the one who had been demon-possessed sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. Then they began to plead with him to depart from their region.
Mark 5:15.17.

A miracle that failed to please all (2)
The dreadful condition of the demon-possessed man had previously kept everyone at a distance. Now it was the power and mercy of the Son of God that put them on their guard. They clearly dreaded the devil and his power and also Jesus and His gracious dealings.

People came to see what had happened and were suddenly confronted with the power and grace of the Lord Jesus. The man who put fear into everyone and could not be tamed was sitting there wearing clothes and in his right mind. He illustrates someone who has been freed from Satan's power and has found peace, someone whose guilt has been forgiven and has been declared righteous and is reconciled to God. The enmity against God no longer exists.

The people who had come also saw Jesus, the Son of God and the proof of His divine power, "and they were afraid" (v.15). The guilty need to fear God! When Adam, the first man, sinned, he feared God like the people here. However people encounter God, whether for judgment, as with Adam, or for help in a desperate situation, as here, His presence is unbearable for the guilty. So they pleaded with Jesus, who had acted graciously to heal that poor wretch, to leave their region. He fulfilled their wish and went.

The one who had been healed, however, wanted to follow his Saviour. But the Lord gave him a mission to carry out, which he did. He joyfully proclaimed what Jesus had done for him throughout the whole region (Mark 5:18-20).

(concluded)

Today's reading: Leviticus 21:1-24 · Psalms 68:10-19