Greetings everyone! This is another installment of Jesus On Campus. I’ve been going through the gospel of Mark and discussing the miracle stories there in light of campus ministry.
This next installment takes us to Mark 5. This story picks up right where chapter 4 left off after Jesus calms a storm while He and His disciples were sailing across the Sea of Galilee. They are all probably soaked from the rain. When they arrive on shore, they probably wanted to get some wood to start a fire, and get some rest. Those thoughts and aspirations quickly dissipated when they see something out of the corner of their eyes. They turn to see a bleeding crazy man running at them. When he arrives, he drops to his knees in front of Jesus and shouts at the top of his voice “What do You want with me, Jesus, Son of the most high God? Swear to God that You won’t torture me!”. Jesus had already called the demons to come out.
Jesus asks him his name, and he replies his name is Legion, because there were many demons inside of this man. Off in the distance they saw a herd of pigs. The demons begged Jesus to send them into the pigs, and He told them to go. They all enter the pigs and they dash down the hill and die in the sea.
The herdsmen rush into the town and declared to them what had happened. They all knew about this man. They all come out to see him. They see him and Jesus. The man is now healed, clothed, and his right mind. This scares them stiff and they beg Jesus to go away from them.
As He goes, the man who is now healed comes and begs to go with Him. Jesus tells the man to go home and declare to them what God had done for him.
The man who was oppressed by the demons must have been so lonely and scared. Is there anyone on your college campus or in your neighborhood who is lonely and scared? Are there things Jesus can do for them to heal them? I hope and pray we can all bring Jesus into the lives of those who hurt and need Him.
Any thoughts, comments, questions, etc? Any and all thoughts, comments, and questions are welcomed and encouraged. God bless you all. Grace and Peace.
Zack
