He lived among the graves in the cemetery. He spent his days crying out and his nights cutting himself with stones. His life was filled with fear and desperationâ€"and then one day, hope walked by. Mark chapter 5 begins with the story of the man possessed by a “Legionâ€� of demons. When he saw Jesus in the distance, he recognized him immediately. He ran to Him and even in his bondage, he fell on his knees before the Lord acknowledging Jesus as the “Son of the Most High Godâ€� (v. 7) knowing that it was only through Jesus that he could be saved from the misery in which he found himself. As Jesus looked upon the possessed man, He commanded the demons to leave him. Recognizing the Son of God, the demons obeyed. He had been a dead man walking and was brought back to life. The man who had long been tormented by this host of evil was finally free of his heavy chains. But, it didn’t end there. The man who had been possessed now had the desire to follow Jesus, to be with Jesus, but instead Jesus urged him to go tell others what the Lord had done for him! (v.19). God took this man’s life and transformed it. People no longer recognized the man he had become because God’s light, that now shined through him, overpowered any darkness manifested by the devil.

I can imagine the man’s overwhelming joy and singing:

“The enemy thought he had me, but Jesus said, “You are mine!�

No longer I who live, but Christ in me;

For I’ve been born again, my heart is free

The hope of Heaven before me, the grave behind

Hallelujah, You brought me back to lifeâ€�²

There are no chains too heavy, no bondage too great, and no night too dark that Jesus can’t save you from. Run to Him today, just as you are, with your load of sin and feelings of desperation. Jesus is waiting to give you new life!

Suggested prayer: Dear Lord, “How can I begin to thank You For all that You’ve done for me? Jesus, to fully praise You It will take all eternity Just like Lazarus Oh, You brought me back to life�. Amen.

1.    Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV).

2.    Back to Life, song by Bethel Music and Zahriya Zachary. 2021.

Today’s Encounter was written by: Veronica B.