TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. Mark 5:6
Read: Mark 5:1-20
Listen: Mark 5
TODAY’S MESSAGE
No one remains the same when Jesus encounters darkness. In Mark 5, Jesus leaves Jewish territory and crosses the Sea of Galilee. He enters a region heavily influenced by Roman and Greek culture. This is enemy territory to the Jews, an area stained by uncleanness and impurity. Yet Jesus moves toward uncleanness. He knows his presence pushes out darkness and impurity. He immediately encounters a man bound by darkness no one can contain.
We all face things that feel overwhelmingly dark. We may have tried everything to find healing, yet still feel stuck. We can’t break free of the shame or guilt of what we’ve done or what’s been done to us. Our fractured family feels hopeless, with no path to restoration. Doubts cause our faith to falter and we wonder if returning to God is possible. So we hide, fearing that God could not love us if the truth comes to light. Yet Jesus willingly steps into the hardest, darkest spaces without fear, and with the power to forgive and bring freedom because he is God.
This week, we will encounter Jesus as God-in-flesh in all his power. We will see there is no darkness he cannot defeat. There is no situation he cannot disrupt to bring God’s healing.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
What area of your life feels too hard, dark or hopeless? Bring it to Jesus and ask for his power to be at work. “Jesus, I admit this part of my life feels too hard. I need you. Please work your power in this area. I trust you and lay this at your feet. Amen.”
2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.
May is SECRECY. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
