Set Free
Scripture Reading — Mark 5:1-13
When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.
— Mark 5:6
Jesus met a man who was deeply conflicted, a madman. The local community had tried to restrain him with shackles and chains. But nothing had worked. Now he lived outside the community in caves where the people buried their dead. He could often be heard crying out among the hills and tombs, and he “cut himself with stones.” His situation seemed hopeless, with no one to help.
Can you relate to this man? Have you had dreams and aspirations that have been dashed? Is your internal pain so great that you have thought about harming yourself? Has your community tried to help, only to restrain you in some way?
Jesus came to help this man, and we can see that even a Gentile madman mattered to him. The message is clear. In the midst of our madness, Jesus cares about us and is willing to bring healing. We all matter to Jesus! Everyone does!
This man, who was teeming with demons, saw Jesus coming. “He ran and fell on his knees in front of him.” Shame, defilement, guilt, and uncleanness are not able to keep anyone from Jesus.
Jesus helped him, saying, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” And the man was freed, restored to his right mind. Has Jesus freed you from the madness of overpowering sin? Run to him today!
Jesus, thank you for drawing us to you and giving us hope in the midst of our sin. We thank you for giving us freedom. Amen.
About the author — John Kuperus
Since he was young, John Kuperus has had a passion that everyone would know Jesus. Spreading the good news that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15) is very important to him. To be better equipped for missions, John attended Reformed Bible College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He applied these skills with marketplace evangelism in a business he started in Sussex, New Jersey. This calling continued to follow him, so John attended seminary and became a minister in the Christian Reformed Church, serving a church in Ontario for eight years. Currently he serves as a missionary for Youth with a Mission (YWAM). He witnesses Jesus changing lives as people walk out of the darkness into the light. John is married to Helen, and they have seven children.
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