7-28-2014

 Good Morning All,

         Mark 5: 2-3; “And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. ³ He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain,”

     This is another story about Jesus when he heals a man who is possessed by demons.  Jesus drives the demons out of the man and cast them into a herd of pigs which promptly run off a cliff into the sea.  The man who was possessed by the demons was cured.  He no longer lived among the tombs.  When the people from the local village came to see him, he was dressed normal and acted normal and spoke normally.  Everyone was astounded.

    For many of us in this the 21^st century, demon possession seems a little strange, perhaps even bizarre.  I have been asked if I believe in these possessions; yes I do.  Do they happen today? Perhaps.  Just because we have different names for the events, does not change the pain involved.  The people at the time of Jesus may have called them demons while we call them schizophrenia or bi-polar or Asperger’s syndrome or any one of a number of other ailments and problems; they all mean pain to the person who suffers from them. 

    This man may have even been clinically depressed.  I have talked with people who have experienced these conditions and others like it.  They often describe feeling like they are possessed by something or someone as they do not feel they control their own actions or thoughts.  What they describe sounds scary and full of pain much like the life of the people who the Bible describes as being possessed.

    Perhaps there have been times when you felt like you were “living in the tombs” more afraid of life than looking forward to it.  Perhaps there have been dark times for you to overcome.  Those dark times can cause a lot of pain and even feel like someone or something is controlling you.  You may be feeling that right now.  If you are, know that God loves you and wants to help.  First and foremost, call someone.  Call your doctor or a counsellor or your minister but call someone and get professional help.  This is one of God’s tools in caring for you.  Secondly, pray for God’s guidance and assistance.  Third, talk with those close to you; they love you and care for you, let them in.

     There will be dark and painful times in this life because the world is still broken by sin.  Yet we are never alone and we never have to face this world alone.  God is there with us and loves us and will protect us from the devil’s arrows.  We need to use the tools he gives us in this battle.  Trust in God’s mercy to sustain you.  Hold onto his love for you and he will free you from the pain that possesses you.

Father, there are times when the darkness seems too great.  It is at these times when I need your grace to bring me out of the tombs of despair.  Be with those who are still hurting and living among the tombs of despair.  Give to them your healing touch.  Bring them to the light of your love.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret