For We Are Many
Today’s scripture selection: Mark 5-6
Key verse: Mark 5:9
I find that one of the most haunting stories in the New Testament, no pun intended, is that of the man who was possessed by so many demons he called himself “Legion.”
The legion was the largest unit in the Roman army – consisting of 3,000 to 6,000 soldiers. To imagine spiritual entities numbering in the thousands – well, it’s a truly overwhelming thought.
But it also bears testimony to the power of this young man named Jesus.
When confronted by His presence the demons have only one thing to say:
“Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.”
And within minutes – 2,000 pigs rushed to their death in a nearby lake.
There was no question of the demonic forces standing their ground. There was no attempt to torment the young healer as they had so successfully tormented their other victim. They just ran.
There is a lot of debate about the nature of evil and how it is manifested in this world of ours. I don’t pretend to understand all of it. But I have lived long enough to develop a healthy belief in it.
I’ve also seen that evil, however it manifests, is no match for God. It may appear to have the upper hand for a while. But in the end – it’s already defeated – and it “knows” it.
So don’t fear the multitude of dark forces that would threaten to undo you. They may be many in number – but they are ultimately very weak indeed. Just ask the man whom they used to call “Legion.”
Prayer: Almighty God, I stand secure knowing your powerful arm protects me. Thank you, Lord, for that incomparable strength at my side. AMEN.
By Paul Simrell
The Reverend Paul W. Simrell has served for over thirty years in a variety of congregational and institutional settings. He is a recognized minister with standing in the Virginia region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada and is nationally endorsed by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for specialized ministry in both pastoral counseling and chaplaincy. Ordained in 1982, he has served congregations in Kentucky, Texas, Florida, and Virginia. He currently serves as the pastor of Elpis Christian Church, a small, historic congregation located just a few miles west of Richmond, Virginia. Elpis is the Greek word meaning “expectant hope.” He also serves on the associate clinical staff of the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care, Richmond, Virginia, both as a pastoral counselor and a ministerial assessment specialist, specializing in executive, clergy and relationship coaching. He is a graduate of the University of Florida and Lexington Theological Seminary and has done advanced clinical training in chaplaincy and pastoral counseling at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, Children’s Medical Center and Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas and the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care in Richmond, Virginia. He is a Certified Pastoral Counselor, an ACPE Practitioner, and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. He is a Certified Facilitator of the Prepare-Enrich relationship assessment and skills-building program and served as a volunteer chaplain for over twenty years with the CJW Medical Center campuses in Richmond, Virginia. His avocational interests include playing the piano and drawing. He is very happily married to his wife Elizabeth Yeamans Simrell, a free-lance writer, who is also a Certified Facilitator for the Prepare-Enrich program.
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
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