And the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and were drowned in the sea (Mark 5:13).

On his way to healing a demoniac, Jesus destroys a heard of swine. This is discomfiting, but it should not be surprising: it is often the case in biblical stories that something must be destroyed before new life can blossom. (Note how much destruction takes place in the Exodus story, from Egypt all the way to Canaan).

Why is this the case? Can you think of instances when this has been true in your life? Is God trying to destroy something in your life? If so, what is the healing or new life he is trying to bring forth?

–Mark Galli
This is part of Mark Galli’s guided journal, “Discovering the Untamable God,” a 12-week journey through the Gospel of Mark. Twice a week, you’ll receive a new journaling prompt encouraging you encounter the wild, untamable Jesus of the Gospel of Mark and let his radical sayings and actions transform your life. Use these prompts in your own journal or in group discussion. If you’re joining this journal mid-way through, you can start journaling at any time, and stay subscribed at the end, when the journal will restart and you can receive the prompts that you missed.