Originally posted: 07/03/2019
If not another word had been written to describe the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, this chapter in Mark would be enough. Who else but Jesus, Son of the Most High God, had such power to perform these miracles, displaying His Dominance over demons, disease, and death?
Consider His Dominance Displayed
- Consider His Dominance Displayed Over Demons
- When He got out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him, 3 and he had his dwelling among the tombs. And no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain; 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him and the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue him… 12 The demons implored Him, saying, “Send us into the swine so that we may enter them.” 13 Jesus gave them permission. And coming out, the unclean spirits entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, about two thousand of them; and they were drowned in the sea, (5:2-4, 12-13).
- Consider His Dominance Displayed Over Disease
- A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, 26 and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse— 27 after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. 28 For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.” 29 Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction, (5:25-29).
- Consider His Dominance Displayed Over Death
- While He was still speaking, they came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?” 36 But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.”… 39 And entering in, He said to them, “Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep.” 40 They began laughing at Him. But putting them all out, He took along the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and entered the room where the child was. 41 Taking the child by the hand, He said to her, “Talitha kum!” (which translated means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded, (5:35-36, 39-42).
How do we respond to His Dominance Displayed?
There is nothing in all of creation that is outside the realm of His authority. He lived a life of humility and submission to His Father, but also a life of His Dominance Displayed, that we might place our faith in His supremacy and power alone.
Whatever threatens us today, Jesus is Greater. We have only to believe.
And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction,” (5:34).
- When we are weak in our attempt to subdue the work of the enemy in our lives, we have only to believe in His Dominance Displayed: Jesus is our Strength.
- I can do all things through Him who strengthens me, (Philippians 4:13).
- When we are spent and growing worse in pursuit of a cure, we have only to believe in His Dominance Displayed: Jesus is our Healer.
- And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus, (Philippians 4:19).
- When we are fearful in the face of death, the death of dreams, relationships, and even our very lives, we have only to believe in His Dominance Displayed: Jesus is our Life.
- “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly,” (John 10:10).
There is coming a day, when the pain and agony of demonic activity, disease, and death will be abolished.
…and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away, (Revelation 21:4).
As we consider His Dominance Displayed over demons, disease, and death, what do we possibly have to fear? Until that day, let us live as victorious conquerors in the faith, power, and love of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord; for He Is our Strength, our Healer, and our Life!
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? …35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? …37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, (Romans 8:31, 35, 37-39).