4/3 - Journey to the Cross - Mark 5:1-20
Some questions for further reflection from our Zoom time this morning…
What do we notice about the contrast between the evil spirits saying, “Leave me alone,” the healed man wanting to go with Jesus, and everyone else asking Jesus to leave? What does that contrast reveal?
This is the first time in Mark’s Gospel that we hear a spirit talking back to Jesus (though we do hear an evil spirit speak in Mark 1). Is there any significance in this moment?
Is this also the first time Jesus actually tells someone to go and tell others what has happened? Why might that be important?
The man is told to go to his own people. With the use of the word “Legion” and the setting, is this most likely Gentile territory? What might that suggest?
The newly set-free man is given a God-task — to go and tell his people. Is this a sign that he is now working for the kingdom? What does that teach us?
One individual man went and witnessed to ten cities. How do we, individually, respond to Jesus? What does our response look like?
The man asked to go with Jesus, but Jesus said no. What does this teach us about not always getting what we want? Can we trust that Jesus knows what we need and what is best for us?
What might be the significance of Jesus asking the demon his name? Does this suggest anything about being specific in prayer? Does it remind us to be aware of what we are dealing with when we come against the enemy?
In other places Jesus tells people not to tell others, but here He tells this man to go and tell. Why the difference? Is it because it is now His time, or because of the location?
The man is set free — but it costs a herd of pigs. When the town sees the cost, they ask Jesus to leave. Why do we love the idea of freedom until it costs us something? What does it say that, to Jesus, one broken life is worth more than 2,000 pigs?