Limiting God

Today’s Text: Mark 5:15 

“They came to Jesus and observed the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the ‘legion’; and they became frightened.”

Words of Devotion

These people were afraid. But “why?” we might wonder. What had Jesus done that they found so upsetting?

Entering their region, He had been met by a “man from the tombs with an unclean spirit.” This man had been a constant nuisance, disrupting community life. No one could control him, not even after he was bound with a chain.

(vs. 2-3)

Then Jesus appeared. Knowing the spiritual root of the problem, He commanded the demon to come out of the man. Instantly, the man was freed. After the news spread, people came to see the man, amazed that he looked normal. But there was no celebration. Instead, the people reacted with fear.

What had Jesus done to merit such a reaction? He had disrupted their status quo. He had challenged their assumptions, and perhaps even their theology.

The reaction was so intense that they asked Him to leave their region. They would rather live with their preconceived ideas than experience the power of God in a new way. They would rather have had the demon-possessed man cause havoc in their community, than for Jesus to demonstrate His power. They would rather have lived within their comfort zone, than to have Jesus do something unexpected—something they couldn’t understand.

Today, many react to Jesus in a similar way. They may face problems, but they place limits on what they will allow Him to do in their lives.

How open are you to Jesus’ power in your life? Do you have preconceived ideas that limit what He can do for you? Are you open to allowing Him to intervene in the problems you face? Or are you trapped in your own comfort zones, unwilling to let Him teach you new things or open new doors of understanding?

Closing Inspirational Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, forgive me for limiting You. Open my eyes. I give You permission to use me and reveal the fullness of the Gospel in my life. In Your name, Amen