Why Your Story Matters More Than You Think | Mark 5:14-20

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

And today’s shout-out goes to Cary Lemasters from Wellsville, OH. Cary, thank you for standing with us through Project23. Your support helps deliver the Word where it’s needed most. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 5:14-20:

The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled. — Mark 5:14-20

The people come running because they’ve heard what happened and want to see it for themselves. And what they see shocks them.

The same man who once lived naked in the tombs. The man who cried out night and day. The one who broke shackles and couldn’t be subdued is now sitting. Clothed. Calm. In his right mind.

It’s such a radical transformation the crowd doesn’t celebrate—they tremble in fear. The power of Jesus disturbs them more than the chaos of Legion. So they demand something tragic—they ask Jesus to leave.

But not the man who was freed. He doesn’t want Jesus to go without him. He begs to follow. But Jesus gives him a more important assignment:

“Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

And the man obeys. He tells his story. And people marvel.

That’s the power of a testimony.

Theologians can argue. Skeptics can question. But no one can refute a changed life. This man didn’t go to seminary—he came out of the tombs. And now he’s a missionary to the very region that once feared him.

That’s what Jesus does.

So—what has Jesus done for you that someone else needs to hear? You may not have a “Legion” story. But you do have a mercy story.

Share it. Tell it. Live the mission. Don’t keep it to yourself.

God wants to use the story He’s given you to preach the good news to others. You are the mouth he wants to use to tell the world about his mercy.

#FromDarknessToLight, #MercyStory, #JesusSaves

ASK THIS:

1. What stands out most about the man’s transformation?
2. Why do you think the people were more afraid of Jesus than of Legion?
3. How has God’s mercy changed your life?
4. Who in your life might need to hear that story?

DO THIS:

Write down your story—one moment or season where Jesus met you with mercy. Then, ask God to show you who needs to hear it this week.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, thank you for the mercy you’ve shown me. Don’t let me keep it to myself. Use my story to point others to your love and power. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"My Story" by Big Daddy Weave.