I’m an avid walker. It’s a habit I have committed to for many years. I enjoy it on many levels, the most obvious being the exercise benefit. Throughout my decades of walking, I’ve had the opportunity to meet many varied and wonderful individuals and families. The overwhelming of which have been friendly, others reserved, and a small percentage simply not interested in engaging in conversation. But I can honestly say I’ve never encountered anyone I’ve perceived as dangerous, mentally unstable, or harmful. And I’ve certainly never met anyone who was demon-possessed, which is precisely the type of person Jesus meets in Mark Chapter 5.
Welcome to the Gerasenes
As the chapter opens we learn that Jesus and His disciples have just traveled by sea to the region of the Gerasenes. This is not by chance, nothing is with Jesus, and the significance of this particular destination is revealed later in the story.
However, in the present text of the narrative we learn that upon arrival, Jesus alone climbs out of the boat, and immediately a man possessed by an evil spirit comes running toward him. I think we would all agree this scenario would be rather shocking, and apparently it is to the disciples as the text doesn’t mention their stepping out of the boat. However, Jesus is not stunned, intimidated, or fearful in responding to this man, or in addressing the many spirits that possessed him.
Who Exactly is this Man?
In truth the scripture does not include any information regarding the specifics of this man’s family history or personal experiences. We are only told that he made his home in burial caves, was unrestrainable and unusually strong, and regularly cut himself with stones. Further, his eerie howls echoed throughout the town each evening. (See Mark 5:3-5.)
This information alone would invoke terror in most, and in truth, an entire region had been paralyzed by fear on account of this man, but not Jesus. Instead, rather than fear, He was moved by compassion. Understandably, the people in this town only recognized this man as dangerous, as he was in fact demon-possessed and rather frightening at that. Yet when Jesus looked at this man, all He saw was a tormented soul in need of deliverance and freedom. And it was for this very reason He had come to the Gerasenes.
Demons Run and Bow to Jesus
It’s worth noting that the gospel writer records the demon-possessed man as running towards Jesus. I find this of particular interest as typically demons run from rather than towards Him (see Psalms 68:1). Regardless, it appears the God-breathed spirit also inside this man inhabited by demons instinctively knew to run and run he did.
What follows is also perplexing as the man also bows before Jesus, which is not a posture you might expect a demon to assume, but once again, the greater spirit inside the man seems to know bowing is in order here. And it’s at this point bowed low before Jesus, that the demons speak ominously through the man, addressing Jesus by name, requesting that He not torture them, as Jesus had previously said, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.” (Mark 5:8 NLT).
What Is Your Name?
Jesus does not acknowledge the demon’s request. Instead, He makes an inquiry of his own by speaking directly to the possessed man asking him to reveal his name. “What is your name?”, Jesus asked. And the spirits speaking through the man replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” (Mark 5:9 ESV).
When considering all the questions Jesus might have asked, I think it’s worth considering why He asked this particular one. Surely, He wasn’t making small talk or trying to relieve a tense moment. Further, He obviously was aware of this man’s true identity and that of every foul spirit possessing him for that matter. So why the request?
I believe it was to expose the enemy and to reveal the true source of this man’s problems. You see the disturbing behavior this man had exhibited for years, crying out, cutting himself, and terrorizing his entire community were all merely symptoms of a much greater problem. This man was in fact possessed by a legion, suggesting not a few, but rather thousands of demons. Because of this he would not be helped by a stern warning, behavior modification, or a self-help program. Instead, he needed spiritual deliverance, and in order to affect this, Jesus would need to speak directly to the spirits that inhabited this man by name, which He did!
A Visible Miracle
One word from Jesus was all it took to set in motion a supernatural, miraculous chain of events. After identifying the evil spirits inhabiting the man, Jesus permitted them to enter a herd of pigs, 2000 to be exact! And if you think this event drew a crowd, you are spot on! Immediately those who had been attending the pigs ran off into the nearby towns and countryside reporting what they had just witnessed. And the wonderful results were many people coming out to see what had happened for themselves (see Mark 5:14).
This was a spectacular sight indeed. However, the greatest miracle of all was the radical transformation of the man. Once demon-possessed, dangerous, naked, shamed, and shunned, this man is now sitting, fully clothed, and in his right mind peacefully next to Jesus.
Sadly, although the townspeople just witnessed a God-sized undeniable miracle, rather than invite Jesus into their homes and hearts, they instead requested He leave their town, and He does, but not before one final conversation.
No for a Reason
As Jesus nears the water’s edge preparing to enter his boat and leave town, the now-delivered, spiritually whole, and healed man begs to go with Him. This is a logical request for all the reasons you might imagine. To begin with, Jesus had just accomplished for this man what no man could have ever done. And now for the first time in years, he was completely free. Because of this, he wanted nothing more than to be with Jesus, learn from Him, and live for Him. And so, he begged Jesus that he might go with Him. But Jesus said, “Go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” (Mark 5:19 NLT).
Go and Tell
The truth is Jesus’s plan for this man was far greater than He could have ever imagined. In fact, it was a plan to further the gospel by spreading the good news to the region of the Gentiles. So rather than permitting the man to journey with Him, instead Jesus would send Him on a missionary journey of His own.
And the man didn’t hesitate even for a second to consider the logistics of his assignment. Am I qualified? Will people even listen to my story? Am I the right person for this mission? The man obviously did not entertain any of these thoughts, instead he immediately, “…started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.” Mark 5:20 NLT.
Go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.
Mark 5:20 NLT
One Year Later
Jesus returns to the region of the Gerasenes a year later, but this time it’s not to meet with one individual, but rather 4,000 spiritually and physically hungry people. What was it that led these individuals to seek after Jesus? Many Bible scholars believe this large gathering was the result of this man’s story!
The delivered man, full of faith, so proclaims the miracle of Jesus that when Jesus returns a year later, the man delivers four thousand to greet his Messiah.
Jerry DeMelo, Jr, Gratia Vobis Ministries
A Final Takeaway
The story of the man possessed by a legion of demons includes many wonderful, lifegiving spiritual reminders including:
- No one is beyond God’s reach.
- Everyone apart from Jesus is lost.
- Jesus has ultimate authority over the enemy.
- God has a plan to transform our stories for our good and His purpose.
and finally…
- Our stories are meant to be shared with others as they are effective tools in sharing the gospel.
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Reflect
What does Jesus’s intentional trip to the Gerasenes reveal to you about his heart for the demon- possessed man?
Encourage
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What specific aspect of this story encourages you the most and why?
Pray
Father God, I marvel at the depths of your transforming grace. Your love knows no limits. I am grateful that no one is beyond your reach, including me. Thank you for the truth of your Word, and the inspiring stories you have given us in Holy Scripture.
We are grateful and we love you, amen.
