Title: Wrong Focus/ Topic: Heart Condition

Today’s Reading: Job 21; Mark 5; Mark 6

Scripture: Mark 5:14-17
14 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

Observation: The people of the town come out to see a man who has terrorized their region with his demonic possession completely transformed. This is obviously an astounding miracle that benefits their community. But as a part of working this miracle, Jesus causes these people to lose a vital source of their financial income; their pigs. It was a large herd, about two thousand, lost because Jesus allowed the legion of demons to go into themand, true to form, the demons destroyed their 'hosts". What is most striking about this passage is the reaction of the people. They were afraid and begged Jesus to leave their region. Why? Weren't they glad to have the demonic man that couldn't be controlled a safe, normal person again? I think they were afraid of a God they couldn't control and who had the power to destroy their financial future. They obviously don't understand the motives of Jesus.

Application: Jesus warns us in the gospels that we cannot love both God and money. The two will compete for our heart and devotion. This story should warn us that if we choose to love money over God, he will leave us alone. When the people begged him to go, he did. I must guard my heart from anything that will draw me away from seeking and following God.

Prayer: Father, help us to know that if we put you first, you will provide everything we need and cause us to be blessed in every way. Seeking money first may get us money wealth but it will come with problems that would do us harm. I want to love you first and foremost, always. I love you.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.