Mark 5 S AND JESUS: THE SPIRITUAL WORLD

A -possessed man saw Jesus and came running to Him. (5:2) After the s were cast out, (did he then have the Holy Spirit?) he wants to stay with Jesus. (5:18) Yet, the s within him were fearful of Him, and knew that they were to be cast out. (5:10-12) Interestingly, the man's neighbors (especially the pig owners), who were NOT possessed, also wanted Jesus to go away. (5:17)

Whether it is my flesh, or it is ic influence, some of the spiritual world flees from the Holy One. And whether it is the choice of my own heart, or it is the Holy Spirit within me, some of the spiritual world runs to Jesus. John tells us that we can walk in the light as He is in the light, and that it leads to fellowship (1 John 1:7).

I want to choose to run toward the light, not from it. My flesh may love the darkness, and my dark heart may fear exposure to the light, but my spirit longs for glory! Let me gaze upon Your beauty, O Lord!

Then I notice another little detail about the spiritual realm. This man lived (if you can call it living) alone. But while Jesus was still some distance away, he recognized Jesus and came running to meet Him. (5:6) How did he recognize my Lord? ors or news, perhaps? Maybe curious at the size of His entourage? I like to think that somehow the man "sensed" it: "This is the Son of God. He has authority over the spiritual realm. He can deliver you!"

Similarly, later in this same chapter, a woman immediately "sensed" that she was healed when she touched the edge of Jesus' robe. (5:29) How did she sense the healing? Perhaps a warmth in her body? Perhaps an internal affirmation of her faith? Likewise, Jesus Himself "sensed" that power had gone out of Him to heal someone. (5:30) Perhaps it is an unfair question to ask what He felt, considering who He is, but I know many who have healing gifts sense warmth in their hands, or have some kind of spiritual communication that God's power is present.

All I can say is, sometimes "it" happens: the sense that "something" is going on in the spiritual realm. Paul perhaps referrred to this when talking about the assembly when the power of Jesus is present. (1 Corinthians 5:4) That "something" is very personal, and a little hard to describe. There are certain symptoms I have by which I can recognize when God is present in His power, but they are not absolutes.

"LORD, You draw me to You, and yet You dwell within me. You have filled me with Your Spirit, and yet You fill me anew at times. This morning, fill me again, as I enter Your presence again. Let me see the spiritual realm as You see it, and run to You when I see the light. In the name of the Holy One of Israel, Father, Son and Spirit. Amen."
-ker