One of the more frightening or disturbing things that one could encounter, I believe, would be a person who was possessed by a demon. Hollywood and some best-selling authors of horror and supernatural novels have made demon possession a major theme. However, demon possession is an actual occurrence, is recorded in Scripture, and is not just the subject of scary, horror stories. One such occurrence happened in our Scripture passage today.
Jesus had just finished preaching to the crowds, and He and the disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee to the southeastern shore, to the area of the Gadarenes (vs. 1). While the disciples were likely tying the boat up along the shore, they were not met by the local welcoming committee, but instead by a man who was possessed by a demon. The Gospel account gives a description of this man, and gives us an idea of what he and his behavior was like. Mark tells us that he lived in some tombs (vs. 2-3). In the Holy Land area there were often tombs or burial chambers carved into the rocky hillsides on the outskirts of town. He was also extremely strong, as he was able to pull apart chains and shackles, and no one was able to restrain him (vs. 3-4). The man also was prone to cutting and harming himself, and crying out loudly (vs. 5). There is no peace for those who do not know the Lord Jesus. This narrative shows us that demons are dangerous, powerful, and destructive. In light of this, Scripture is very clear that we need to stay away from any curiosity about, or involvement in the occult. Sin and the powers of darkness will yield only to Jesus Christ, and what He did at the Cross on our behalf.
As Jesus disembarked the ship, the demoniac ran up to Him, falling down and worshipping Him (vs. 6-7). The demons knew who Jesus was, that He was the Son of God, the 2nd Person of the Trinity. Immediately He began to command the demons to come out of the man (vs. 8). Jesus had just hours before calmed the storms on the Sea of Galilee. Now He would calm the storm inside of this man.
As Jesus questions the man, we find out that there are multiple demons possessing him (vs. 9). A legion was a Roman military unit of approximately 6,000 infantrymen. This man was possessed by an extremely large number of demons, of militant spirits. The demons wanted to remain in the same area where they had been exercising their power, and so they begged Jesus to let them go into a herd of pigs (vs. 10-13). These demons had to beg Jesus, as they have no power over Him. Jesus did not send these demons into hell, because the time of judgment had not yet come. In the end, Satan and his demons will be sent into eternal fire (Matthew 25:41). Jesus has all power over Satan and his demons. Whenever we think of the devil, we should always add the word “defeated” before his name. Is the devil attacking you? He is the defeated devil! Jesus holds all power in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18).
Now we come to something somewhat shocking in our narrative. The demons entered the pigs, which ran off the cliff, and the pig-herders went into town to tell the villagers what had happened. This area had many Hellenistic Jews (Jews who had adopted a lot of the Greek culture), along with many Gentiles. When the villagers were told about the demons being cast out of the man who haunted the outskirts of town, and the demise of the pigs, they hurried out of town to confront Jesus. They were frightened and resentful of Jesus, and told Him in no uncertain terms to leave the area (vs. 14-17). They didn’t want their normal routine disrupted, or the loss of property. They were an ungodly group of people. They would rather give up Jesus than lose their source of income and security. These people preferred pigs, an unclean animal under Jewish dietary law, over the Savior. That is unfortunately the case with many sinners.
This was a wonderful healing and deliverance for the man with the legion of demons! The change in his life was remarkable, which he was very grateful for. As Jesus prepared to leave due to His rejection by the local residents, the man begged to be able to join the disciples (vs. 18-20). However, Jesus told him no. He had a much greater purpose in mind for the man than what he initially wanted. Jesus wanted him to return to his family and show them what He had done. He wanted him to witness to them, and lead them to get saved, as well. This man was a living example of Jesus’s power. Jesus told him to share with others what He had done.
At this time, Jesus commissioned the first missionary. The man was to go and tell his family and friends about Jesus. He had no special training, no special teaching that he underwent. All he knew was that Jesus had driven the devil out of his life, and had set him free.
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