Editors note: This devotional is taken from the archives of Gospel of Mark, chapter 5.

Quiet Times (Psalm  18, Proverbs 18, and Mark 5:14-17)

^"Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region." (Mark 5:14-17, NIV)

Observations:

I asked myself what happened after the demons went into the pigs and the pigs rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

1. Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town.

2. Those tending the pigs later reported this in the countryside.

3. The people of the town and countryside went out to see what happened.

4. The people of the town came to Jesus.

5. The people of the town saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting there, dressed and in his right mind.

6. The people of the region were afraid.

7. The people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

Today, I decided to look at points 6 & 7.

Interpretation:

I asked myself why the people of the region were afraid and pleaded with Jesus to leave the region.

Jesus had just healed a demon-possessed man and sent the demons into the pigs. The pigs had drowned but the man was saved sitting with Jesus, dressed in his right mind in the presence of Jesus. This should not have made the people afraid but rejoice. I believe what was happening is that they were living their lifestyle contrary to the Word of God. First, of all Scripture was clear to the Jewish people not to eat pork and yet they were tending about 2000 pigs. I believe those pigs were for the people of the region to feast on. Jesus’ actions changed that.

It seems they were so materialistic in nature that they could not rejoice for the man who was healed. They could have wondered what would happen next if Jesus continued to be there! So, they did not want to have anything to do with Jesus even though He healed a man. Instead, they pleaded with Jesus to leave their region and became afraid of Jesus. This is sad when someone pleads for a righteous person to leave their region. This only happens when they are living in so much darkness that they are afraid of what the Light would expose.

Implications:

I saw important implications for my own life here. When we are afraid of Jesus, it is not because Jesus will do harm to us but because we are living a lifestyle contrary to the Word of God. The Light of Jesus exposes it in our lives. However, many times we want to continue to live in that path and do not want any interference. The last thing many want is the Creator telling the created how things should be done. So, we will our lives our own way fearing if we seek the Lord, He will make us do things we do not want to do.

I know because it happened to me in the past when I was afraid to seek Jesus because I felt if I sought Jesus then I would have to change my lifestyle. If I did not seek Jesus then I could live my own way. The problem was I was not happier living my own way instead I was leading a double life until I surrendered to Jesus Christ.

I ask you now dear friend, are you afraid of Jesus too?

Dear friend, those who are afraid of Jesus are afraid not because He will strike them down. They are afraid because when their lifestyle is seen through the eyes of Jesus, they feel guilty and ashamed. They know what they are doing is wrong and the Light of Jesus exposes it. So, it is easier not to think about Jesus or even to acknowledge the existence of Jesus or His resurrection. This way that person can go on living their lifestyle how they want to. That is exactly what the enemy wants. Satan wants you to be afraid of Jesus so you do not come into His presence. This way, Satan can have a hold on you just as he did on the demon-possessed man. The man had to run to Jesus and fall before Him to be rescued and healed. The man was not afraid of Jesus even in his terrible condition. Surrender will not be easy but Lord will help you through it Friend.

Friend, through it all no matter what your life is looking like or what you have engaged in, you do not have to be afraid of Jesus. He loves you so much and died for your sin. If you were the only one living, Jesus would have still died for you because that is how much you mean to Jesus. It is not worth living a life apart from Jesus. For the time being the temporary pleasures may look great but in the long run it will only hurt us. The enemy will not tell you that though. Read John 15 for a detailed explanation.

Remember, whatever Jesus wants you to do and does not want you to do is for your own best interests.  Do not be afraid of Jesus. Jesus wants to be there for you. People tell me if they become a Christian, they will miss out on this and that so they are afraid to come to Jesus. You know what, what you are missing is nothing compared to what Jesus wants to bless you with in this life and the life to come. This however, does not mean a Christian’s life is peachy but he/she has the presence of Jesus with him/her to help him/her through. Do not tell Jesus to stay away from you please.  People do that when they are afraid of someone or do not want to deal with them. The decision to seek Jesus and keep Him near  will be the best decision you will make as you seek Jesus!

Now is the time of Salvation friend. Do not wait to come to Jesus some other time. If you do not know Him or if you want to rededicate your life to Him, you can do it right now. You do not have to wait. Yes, you may still have questions and doubts but Jesus will answer them in His wonderful timing. If we wait till we get all the answers that time may never come and it could be too late. Jesus healed the demon-possessed man and changed Him. He wants to change you too. You are never out of His love and never out of His reach. He loves you as you are and you can come to Him as you are, asking Him to work in you. May you take the words of this poem to heart and give your life to Jesus who wants to be your Lord and Personal Savior! Amen!

Love that broke the mask!
By Ramesh C. Reddy

When you are struggling with a Sin

When you cannot seem to Win

When the scars still hurt like Mace

When the tears run down your Face

When you are overwhelmed with Pain

When your life seems to be in Vain

When you can never do Right

When guilt eats you with a stinging Bite

When sorrows fill the day or Night

You can still win the Fight

With Jesus, your Bright Light!

It is never too Late

Upon Him you can Wait

Having trust and Faith

Though so much guilt you Feel

Your sins and scars, Christ will Heal

He loves you more and More

To Him, all your worries you can Pour

No matter where you have Been

No matter what you have Seen

Upon your Savior, you can Lean

Come and find Rest

From every Test

In Him who knows you Best!

“Afraid? Forever Redeemer Always Is Delivering!” (A.F.R.A.I.D.)/”Are you afraid of Jesus too?”

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I have heard that I do not have to be afraid of you. Jesus, I have also heard that you love me and you can help me. Jesus, you know where I have been and what I have done and yet you love me. You healed the demon-possessed man completely. Thank you Jesus! I am a sinner Lord. I confess to you all my sins. I am so sorry for my sins and ask you to please forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with your cleansing blood and I will be clean again. Wash me Jesus and I will be whiter than snow. Thank you so much Jesus. Please come into my heart and make my heart your home. Live in me please Jesus and help me to live for you and serve you the rest of the days of my life. Thank you Jesus for living in me and I will live for you Lord. Thank you Jesus I am never out of your love and never out of your reach. I acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal Savior. Please be my Lord and Personal Savior and change me. Thank you we can come to you without fear for you tell us “fear not for I am with you; do not be dismayed, I am your God, for I will uphold you with my victorious right Hand." Thank you Jesus!  Thank you so much for being my Lord and Personal Savior! Thanks you have heard my prayers and answered me. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Friend, you may feel something or you may not but this you can be assured that the Lord Jesus has come into your life and will give you a new beginning! Amen!

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

Love in Christ,
Ramesh