Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gaderenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound by shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” Mark 5:1-7
It is a tremendous pitiful sight of a man possessed by demon spirits. When this demon power would take control of his life, he had super human strength. They could not even hold him with chains. So Mark here in his gospel, paints for us a very vivid picture of a tormented soul. Jesus said referring to Satan, The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly (John 10:10). He was making it clear that anyone choosing to believe in Him, the Good Shepherd, would be spared of the evils that the thief would bring. Now the demons knew that Jesus was deity, the God-Man, “Most High God.” When Jesus was led in the wilderness to be tempted by Satan, there was no doubt in Satan’s mind who Jesus was; but Satan’s method was to tempt Jesus to violate the plan of God the Father, and use His divine powers He (Jesus) had set aside (Philippians 2:7). The indictment today is how much demons tremble at the sight of Jesus and knowing that their fate is sealed in judgment. But for us today, very few people give the same reverence for God, nor His Son, Christ the Lord. They want more and more a life of what they think is freedom from knowledge of God the Father, choose to do rather what they want, not knowing that is exactly what Satan would want for them. When speaking to His disciples about what the response may be to their sharing the good news of the gospel, Jesus said to them, “He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.” (Luke 10:16) These words elevate the importance of faithful Christians who are sharing their faith, and the certain fate of the guilt and condemnation of those who reject the message of Christ.
This passage of Scripture continues with Jesus saying, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” Most likely, Jesus asked this in view of the demon’s appeal not to be tormented. He being God, however, did not need to know his name in order to cast him out. Rather, Jesus posed this question to bring to light the works of darkness going on in the hearts of men. Think about our world today. The heinous crimes being committed that almost seem too unbelievable that another human being could do such a deed to another person. Innocent children being targeted, cold blooded killings, molestations, kidnappings for the use of sex trading etc. You ask yourself, What a person could be thinking of to do such an act? Well, our world would like to put blame on the failed court systems, the judicial system of our over crowded jails, the breakdown of the family, etc. And all of these plus more are definitely playing a part in our societies moral corruptness. But it is indeed the working of darkness in the heart of man, sin laden man, being influenced more and more by evil darkness. Our courts, our school systems don’t want God’s laws to influence their thinking, nor their actions. Indeed, the rejection of the message of Christ, and His death on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, which would bring righteousness and peace with God to mankind is the reason behind our violence in our society today.
Isaiah the prophet wrote: For thus says the High and Lofty One, Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. (Isaiah 57:15) The Lord will send true revival which comes to the humble and contrite people who are ready to surrender their life over to the Lord. Which in turn God chooses to use as a witness of a transformed life. To finish with this passage Mark writes that Jesus sent these demonic spirits into a herd of swine who ran them over a cliff. The Jews were not to be involved with the raising of swine going back to the Mosiac law, it was forbidden. So Jesus here has reminded them of their unclean law.
So those who fed the swine fled, and told it in the city and the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon -possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. Then they began to plead with Him to leave their region. (Mark 5:14-17) Here, this man that they couldn’t bind with chain and fetters, that was screaming, crying, and cutting himself with rocks and could not be tamed, naked, tragic, horrible spectacle. And now he’s seated there, clothed and in his right mind. The witnesses began to tell what happened, and the people began to beg Jesus to leave them. Rather than being grateful that this poor wretched fellow had been helped and healed, they were instead upset because they lost their herd of swine which they would have financially profited from. Their were more interested in pigs than people. And when Jesus had returned to the ship, he that had been possessed by the devil begged Him that he might go with Him. However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you.” (Mark 5:18-19)
Beloved friend, This man became a living witness of what great things God has done for him. Going around and telling everyone the great power of Jesus to set him free. To this day, a transformed life is still the best witness we can give to our world around us. Letting others see God’s grace and goodness through you. Let God use you today, to tell others what great things He has done in saving you!
It could truly make the difference in someone’s life. May the Lord bless your walk with Him!
