Jesus Redefines Us
Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. (Luke 8:1-3
Mary’s story begins surprisingly like many of ours; she had demons. While our first thought is to think of someone being possessed by evil spirits, the truth is that our enemy, satan, is an evil spirit and he is constantly temping and taunting us.
Whether we want to admit it or not we all have issues (demons). These issues (demons) try to keep us bound and enslaved. Our enemy, the devil, desires nothing more than to keep us from being useful and effective for God. If he can keep us focused on our issues he succeeds because our eyes are on them rather than on the One who has overcome them. How can we be set free from these demons? An encounter with Jesus.
From the moment that Mary encountered Jesus, her life changed forever. He freed her from her demons and she made the choice to fully and compassionately follow Him.
I believe that the consequences of those demons eventually helped Mary become the passionate woman that she was. While traveling with Jesus they met others that were possessed by demonic spirits, women that had been living immoral lifestyles, and many that were in dire need of their sins to be forgiven.
Each encounter must have caused memories of when she was that woman. Yet with each healing and restoration she also understood the freedom that they were now experiencing in Christ.
Although scripture refers to her as the woman from whom seven demons had come out, she is not defined by who she was before Jesus. All that matters is who she became after she had an encounter with Him. A women of devotion. A woman who was set free. A woman who was loved and forgiven. A woman who was made new.
Like Mary, we don’t have to let our past dictate or define how we see ourselves. Our story can also be; I was _____________, now I’m not. All because of Jesus. Now I live in complete devotion to Him.
Be Intentional about defining yourself as a new creation in Christ.
Praises & Prayers
Lord, thank you for freeing me from my past. My life before knowing You was filled with things I never want to experience again. Because of You Lord, I will never be the same again, Praise God! I pray that I will have compassion on others who are struggling with their own demons and share with them the way to freedom. Thank you for Your Grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Messages from His Word
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!