Daily Reflections
Mark 5:1-20
God’s power broke out in Jesus’ ministry. Today’s dramatic encounter reveals much about his mission and ministry. He came to liberate prisoners and set captives free. Free from what? From evil and all its consequences. The demoniac’s aggression posed a real threat to himself and others. He was bent on violence and self-destruction. For everyone’s protection he was excluded from society. Jesus, however, with a word healed him, restoring him to his right mind. The people were impressed, but begged Jesus to leave the region (perhaps his presence posed a threat to their livestock and livelihood!).
We like to believe we are more sophisticated than our ancestors. The idea of evil makes us uneasy. We fear it reveals a way of thinking that is out of place in our scientific, modern world. The truth is, however, that the reality of the presence of evil in our world is hard to ignore. Acts of barbarism and wickedness are the daily fare of our news media. Every day, in our own lives we can be exposed to a fair amount of darkness and evil. Throughout the ages, the existence of evil has exercised the minds of writers and philosophers, including St Augustine of Hippo who reflected: ‘I sought whence evil comes and there was no solution.’ The same question has vexed modern thinkers too. The novelist Somerset Maugham wrote with remarkable candour: ‘If I wrote down every thought I have ever thought and every deed I have ever done, men would call me a monster of depravity.’ Perhaps G.K. Chesterton was nearest the mark in writing a letter to The Times on the topic of ‘What’s wrong with the human race?’. He simply said, ‘Dear Sir, I am. Yours sincerely, G.K. Chesterton.’
Jesus engaged evil and drove it out throughout his ministry. He fought it and overcame it. On the cross he delivered us from Satan, sin and evil. Each day we are called to claim the power of his victory and pray that we shall be delivered from evil. In the power of the Holy Spirit, we can live lives that reveal the glory of Jesus’ victory in the world today.
‘Lord Jesus Christ, you conquered evil on the cross. You pour out your Holy Spirit on all who believe in you. Teach me to fight the good fight and resist evil with the grace you so lavishly bestow.’
2 Samuel 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13
Psalm 3:2-8 • Mark 5:1-20
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