Kids Blog-Jesus restores a demon-possessed man
This week, kids heard a bible story about a man ho had an evil spirit in him. After he met Jesus, his life was completely changed!
Bible Story: Jesus restores a demon-possessed man, Mark 5:1-20
Bible verse: "Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how he has had mercy on you." Mark 5:19
One day, Jesus and His disciples went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came out from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. He had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to control him. Night and day he would cry out and cut himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God's name don't torture me!" For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you impure spirit!" Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He replied, "My name is Legion." And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs, allow us to go into them." He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs, about two thousand in number. They rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town. When the people came to Jesus, the saw the man who has been possessed by the legion of demons sitting there, dressed and in his right mind and they were afraid.
This story reminds us that Jesus is LORD over all things. He has power over evil and the strength to control and restore the man with the evil spirits. While we tend to avoid people that seem crazy or strange, Jesus had mercy on the demon-possessed man, approached him and helped him. And because He was the Son of the Most High God, He commanded the evil spirits to come out of the man. He used to lived in the tombs completely isolated from society, he would cry out all day, and cut himself with stones. He was often bound by chains in his hand and feet. But after his encounter with Jesus, he was no longer possessed by demons. He was dressed, sitting in his right mind, ready to follow Jesus wherever He goes.
Physically, externally, we may not be demon-possessed like this man was. But spiritually, we are like this man because of our sin. Without God, we are bound by chains of sinful thoughts, rebellion, disobedience, fear, doubts, and loneliness. When we sin against God, Satan will accuse us and put thoughts in our minds, that we are not good enough, we are not forgiven, or loved by God even though God already provided His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sin and save us! God commands us to come out of darkness, repent, turn away from our sins, thank Him for forgiveness, and ask Him to fill us with the power of the Holy Spirit so we may live in the Light!
When was the last time we were bound and controlled by something? What caused us to dwell in the tombs and cry out in pain when we could have run to Jesus and ask for help? In this bible story, no one was strong enough to subdue the demon-possessed man, but Jesus was strong enough to command and cast out impure spirits in him. In the same way, only Jesus has the power and authority to restore and heal us. In the Name of Jesus, He will cast out every evil and negative thoughts and deliver us from the power of sin when we put our trust in Him completely!
Image: www.lambsongs.co.nz