Nhà Thờ Bình An Trong Chúa Jêsus Peace In Jesus Lutheran Church

    Breaking Chains

Have you ever seen someone breaking chains?  Perhaps in your favorite Superman comic book, or the last time you saw the strong man at the circus.  Chains are meant to confine and hold; only a feat of strength could show itself in a dramatic display of chain braking.

If it has been a while since you have noticed someone breaking chains, take a walk with me through Mark’s tell-it-how-it-is Gospel, the 5^th chapter.  Here Jesus and his disciples are met by a man with an evil spirit who came from the tombs to meet Jesus.  No one could bind him any more, not even with a chain.  Verse 4 says, “For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet.  No one was strong enough to subdue him.”  The evil within this man could not be chained.

I’m not sure we always respect the power of the forces of evil.  Too easily we consider temptation as light and sin as a toy.  Too quickly we become influenced by worldly thinking and show it in the use of our discretionary money and entertainment choices.  Too lightly to we regard the devil’s hell-bent desire to drag as many down with him as he can. 

When this man saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.  He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  Swear to God that you won’t torture me!”  For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you evil spirit!”

No one could was strong enough to subdue him . . . until he met Jesus.  Jesus gave relief to that man, displaying his power by releasing this man from the demon and securing the chain that will forever remain unbroken around the neck of the devil and all who follow him.  God’s protection has placed a choke chain around the neck of the devil, guaranteed by Christ’s death and resurrection. 

Like a rabid dog on a chain, he can harm us none . . . unless we wander too close, too carelessly within the reach of that chain.  Our loving protective Lord has graciously put up “beware” signs surrounding the chained monster.  With an obedient ear bent to our Heavenly Father’s direction, let us be aware and beware of the dangerous temptations of the devil, trusting in our Lord who has the greater power, even as we pray “deliver us from evil.”

No evil will break His chains again.  Your trust in God is well placed and your protection assured, all through the work of Jesus your Savior.  God bless you this week!

Prayer idea:  ask God for renewed peace and comfort, knowing God will protect you and those you love from evil, and the evil one. 

Blessings on your week!

--Pastor Dan