Title: Gospel of Mark: Deliverance from Darkness
Scripture: Mark 5:1-20
Date: 7-30-23
Bible Version: NIV

BOTTOM LINE: The Word of God always pushes against the darkness of evil.

Vs. 1-6
¹ They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. ² When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. ³ This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. ⁴ For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. ⁵ Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. ⁶ When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.

• The region of the Gerasenes was Gentile territory, which would explain the large herd of pigs, which were unclean and unfit to eat by Jews.
• Jesus went through a storm to a pagan area for an encounter with one man.
• The Bible is clear that there are spiritual forces at work in this world. We are surrounded by spiritual beings. (Ephesians 6:12)

There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight. —C.S. Lewis

Satan’s True Intent:

1. Satan’s hatred of us – His whole purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). He destroyed a whole herd of pigs.
2. Satan’s cruelty – His purpose was to ruin this man’s life, mentally, physically, and spiritually.
3. Satan’s power – He brought this man greater power, but not for good or for a fun lifestyle as often portrayed, but for harm. When we ignore the power and presence of Jesus, Satan has free reign.

Vs. 7-13

⁷ He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me! ⁸ For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” ⁹ Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” ¹⁰ And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. ¹¹ A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. ¹² The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” ¹³ He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

• It was an ancient superstition that you had spiritual power over another if you knew or said their exact name.
• This man was possessed by not one, but many demons (a legion represented up to 6,000 Roman soldiers).
• Demons want something to damage. Their main goal is to distort or destroy the image of God.
• Jesus had power and authority over these demons. He spoke and they listened.

• The inspired Word of God is no match for the enemy.

• Wherever the gospel is preached demons flee and God’s kingdom advances.

• Jesus’ goal was to give people freedom from sin and Satan’s control.

Why did Jesus allow the demons to enter the pigs? Why not send them to the abyss (Revelation 20)?

1. The time of judgement has not yet come, so Jesus allowed them to go into pigs, but not harm humans.
2. Perhaps Jesus was demonstrating the life change of one person is more important than these unclean animals.
3. Perhaps the demons wanted to go anywhere they could cause problems and sway people from following Jesus.

Vs. 14-17

¹⁴ Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. ¹⁵ When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. ¹⁶ Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. ¹⁷ Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

GADARA, A.D. 31
Rabbi, begone! Thy powers
Bring loss to us and ours.
Our ways are not as Thine.
Thou lovest men, we–swine.
Oh, get you hence, Omnipotence,
And take this fool of Thine!
His soul? What care we for his soul?
What good to us that Thou hast made him whole,
Since we have lost our swine?

And Christ went sadly.
He had wrought for them a sign
Of Love, and Hope, and Tenderness divine;
They wanted–swine.
Christ stands without your door and gently knocks;
But if your gold, or swine, the entrance blocks,
He forces no man’s hold–he will depart,
And leave you to the treasures of your heart. —John Oxenham

• They prized pigs over people. They didn’t want Jesus to interfere with their life.
• What’s keeping you from becoming a fully devoted follower of Christ?

Vs. 18-20

¹⁸ As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. ¹⁹ Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” ²⁰ So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

• Why did Jesus grant the request of the demons and towns people, but not allow this man to come with Him?
• This man was sent home to become a living example of Jesus’ power to this region.
• This former madman was now on mission to share what Jesus had done in his life.
• He had no training, no discipleship class, but began with a heartfelt desire to go and tell others about Jesus.
• We are all helpless and without hope, until we encounter Jesus.
• As believers we have stories of faith: God’s goodness in our life, God’s power to restore. God wants to use you to spread the good news.

What God chooses, He cleanses. What God cleanses, He molds. What God molds, He fills. What God fills, He uses. —J. Sidlow Baxter