Day 17 - Demonic Worship...
- Pastor b.Side
- May 16
- 3 min read
When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” - Mark 5:6-7
One of the biggest issues people have with God and the Bible stems from the question of authority. Individuals often resist being told when they are wrong or what they need to do. They struggle with surrendering authority to God or His Word. Many people invest considerable time and energy in convincing themselves that they are in control and can manage life by their own standards and terms. They refuse to acknowledge that God is real, that Jesus is the KING of kings, that His Word is true, and that there are consequences for this rebellion.
“When he saw Jesus from afar…”
It's fascinating to observe how the Bible records the differing ways in which demons respond to God’s authority. The scriptures affirm that demons rebel against God as well, but upon confronting Him, that rebellion swiftly ceases! The account in Mark 5:6-7 illustrates this point in a compelling manner. The scriptures recount the story of a man possessed by a legion of demons. During Jesus' time, a “legion” referred to 6,826 men. Previous verses indicate that the man was so overwhelmed by evil that he lived among the tombs, and no one could subdue or control him. Even when attempts were made to bind him, he managed to break the chains and persist in his torment. While this man suffered, the demons recognized Jesus from a distance.
“He ran and worshiped Him…”
The Bible states that this army of demons ran to Jesus, not to confront or attack, but to worship Him! The demons dropped before Jesus in submission to His authority. Upon bowing before Jesus, the demons used this man to make a LOUD declaration to Him. The tone of this man’s voice resembled the croaking of a bird, a shriek, or a scream, revealing how terrified these demons were. The demons were concerned about what Jesus would do to them, illustrating the level of authority they recognized in Jesus. No one could tame the army of demons, yet they fled to Jesus, terrified of what He might do to them. The army of demons understood who Jesus was, referring to Him as the Son of the Most High God. In doing so, they confessed that Jesus is God in the flesh, possessing the transcendent authority to judge the spirit world, even as a man.
“Do not torment me…”
The demons were able to overcome the man and bring him torment, terrifying the people in the community. They knew Jesus had the authority to torment them to the same degree, both in this world and in a spiritual manner. The torment they described was referred to as the Lake of Fire. They understood that Jesus could send them there at any time. While addressing Jesus, they sought mercy from Him. Jesus obliged, sparing the demons from eternal judgment, sending them into a herd of pigs, and freeing the man from the bondage of that evil influence. Jesus demonstrated that no matter the severity of darkness, even the forces of evil within it recognize who the Boss is, even if people may doubt or disagree…
Prayer for today
Our heavenly Father, we thank You for how the depth of Your authority confronts the highest levels of evil for our benefit. This is what makes You so good! Help us express our faith through our submission to Your eternal and spiritual purposes. If demons worship You, we should worship even more! We give ourselves to You for that purpose in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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