Week of November 3

“The person who broke you can’t be the one who fixes you” is a popular meme. It holds some truth, but I wish it were as simple as that quote suggests. Sin cripples and leaves us in such disrepair that we have no hope of ever “fixing” ourselves. Gloriously, we meet Hope, who is Jesus Christ, and He changes our hearts forever. We are His from then on, regardless of who we once were. Our value is forever placed in this central truth—Jesus saves. Let’s listen in on Jesus’ life-building words and actions today.

People with Legion’s condition were cast out of productive society and often lived in tombs. The conventional belief was that graves were the place of demons, so demon-possessed people would migrate there. Besides, sepulchers were carved out of limestone rock and provided shelter for these outcasts (5:3-5). His condition was serious; he could not be restrained. Of course, he was centuries too soon for therapeutic counseling and prescriptive medicines that would help him in his condition. 

Because he was too powerful to be chained, he had even become a threat to society and himself (5:4-5, “cutting himself with stones”). Some have concluded that his condition revealed the “manic” phase in manic depressive psychosis (cf. EBC). I will leave that diagnosis to the experts, especially since this event took place centuries ago. However, we can place this narrative into its theological context.

Jesus, the Creator of the Universe, recognized the destructive influence of evil in this man’s life (cf. 5:8). The Gospel writer, Mark, shows us another important view about Jesus, the Christ. He demonstrates that Christ is Lord over nature (4:35 ff.), sickness (5:24 ff.), death (5:35 ff.), and the demonic (5:1 ff.). Jesus demonstrates that the advance of the kingdom of God encompasses those whom culture has rejected.

Holistic care. We see before us a model of holistic care. The Gospel is not simply for a changed heart, it also brings a totally new life. Legion was healed (5:15). He was sent back to his people, something highly prized in the Greek world (5:19a). He was also given a new purpose in life, to spread the good news (5:19b-20; Romans 12:21, “overcome evil with good”). In short, he experienced renewed dignity. Church ministries do well to take notice and follow this pattern.

Enhanced dignity. Jesus asked the demoniac his name, which catches my attention. He looked directly at the man and spoke to him. Legion, though tormented, had the capacity to understand and respond to Jesus’ interaction. His human value was not diminished by his mental condition (or life circumstances, for that matter). Jesus’ actions must have enhanced the demoniac’s dignity. Contemporary secular culture, however, often either assigns worth or removes it, based upon human achievements, like learning, or civic productivity, or military service. Such a view of dignity stems from Renaissance philosophy and not from redemptive theology! I will ask you a question: From what source have you received your dignity? I hope it comes from a changed life Jesus gives to you.

We have discovered in recent years that the source of one’s water is a critical element on the selection of a home. Some housing developments form water cooperatives, while other individual homes have their own wells. Prized properties often have spring-fed wells. The value of the residence depends upon having a good source of water. 

The point? Remember that all of life is intrinsically valuable because it is fashioned in God’s image, so we are to interact with people out of this truth. There is nothing that Legion could have been or done to lose that worth. His dignity grew from within this core principle. I write these things because our culture often discounts these precious lives. Jesus brought healing down to the very “well source” that fed his being (cf. John 4:14). Makes certain that Christ’s living water feeds your dignity!

1. Most of us are not demon possessed, but we do sometimes listen to what is termed “negative voices” that tear down our self-worth. Write down those negative thoughts that are hurting your dignity. Build your life today, and moving forward, over the wellspring of Christ’s new life.

2. For Families: Parents, we can do much in the way of helping our family members to have a healthy sense of self-respect and dignity. We can create homes where each person is valued and treated with courtesy and kindness.

At one of your family suppers this week, share briefly this devotional’s story of the man who lived in a cemetery who was violently ill inside his head and heart, and how Jesus called his name, healed him, and sent him back home a self-controlled and whole person. Jesus always values us and, because we are made in the image of God, we are worthy of respect.

Take a moment to ask your children to think about something with you. Ask them to think of the top two things people can say to them that make them feel valued. What words make their hearts the most satisfied and respected? Let them answer by taking turns around the table.

Listen carefully, and then incorporate those phrases into your interactions with your family members. Work on deepening your children’s respect, both for themselves and one another, and find special ways to honor the dignity and worth of each of your children.

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock