What Jesus Did! 'Power Over Satan' — Mark 5:13

Saturday, March 23, 2024

So Jesus gave [the evil spirits] permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.
— Mark 5:13 NLT

Key Thought

The evil spirits begged Jesus to grant them their request, [1] so Jesus gave them permission. He had, and still has, power over the world of evil spirits. In fact, his death and resurrection have made that power over Satan and his legions clear. Jesus' superior power is important because we need it to resist the control of evil spirits and the death and destruction that are the result of that control, as clearly seen in the fate of the pigs. From the very beginning of the story of Scripture, when Satan and his evil spirits were allowed control, they brought death and destruction. Let's never forget that our ultimate enemy, the devil, seeks to work death and destruction in our lives! Let's resist, oppose, fight, stand up against, and defeat his work with the help of God's Spirit at work in our lives.

[1] Mark 5:10-12.

Today's Prayer

O Lord God Almighty, I confess that you alone are Sovereign and all-powerful. Please give me a renewed sense of your presence in my life, especially as I seek to resist the temptations and the attacks of the evil one. I know that through my resistance and opposition to his work in my life and through your power at work within me, I can triumph over him. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Genesis 4:2-7
  • Ephesians 6:10-18
  • James 1:14-18

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Illustration

Illustration of Mark 5:13 NLT — The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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