Scripture reading – Mark 5
This is the second of two Bible studies today and follows Christ and His disciples crossing the Sea of Galilee amid a storm. Mark identified the area as the Gadarenes (Mark 5:1). Matthew recognized the same region as Gergesenes (Gadara was the name of a nearby city, while Gergesenes was the name of a lake on that side. There was also a city in that area named Gergesa, Matthew 8:28).
Arriving on the eastern shore, Jesus was met by a hopeless, tormented, demon-possessed man described as having an “unclean spirit” (Mark 5:2). Matthew states that there were “two possessed with devils” that met Jesus (Matthew 8:28). The difference in the two accounts is not a contradiction but that Mark chose to record the event of one man, not two.
The Condition of a Desperate Sinner (Mark 5:1-5)
Consider the physical appearance of the demon-possessed man: He was described as having “fetters” (ropes) and chains that hung about his body, exhibiting the desperate attempts his family and friends had made to control him (Mark 5:3-4). His body was also scarred with self-inflicted wounds, for he had cut “himself with stones” (Mark 5:5). He was a troubled man and was socially isolated from his family, friends, and neighbors. His abode was among the caves and tombs of the hillsides in the area (Mark 5:5).
Imagine the sorrow his condition had brought to his loved ones. He was driven into the wilderness, leaving behind his family to bear the grief and shame of his condition. His emotional condition was exposed in his tormented screams that echoed off the hillsides “always” (Mark 5:5). “Night and day,” his wild cries rang throughout the hillsides (Mark 5:5).
The Salvation of a Lost Sinner (Mark 5:6-15)
We read that he was “possessed with the devil, and had the legion” (a legion was a Roman name of a company of soldiers that might number in the thousands, Mark 5:9, 15). We are not told how the man came to be possessed by demons; however, sin had infected every part of his thoughts and affections. The evil, unclean spirits had degraded and destroyed his life, family, and future (James 1:14-15).
In a fleeting moment of desperation, the man ran to Jesus. He worshipped Him (Mark 5:6); however, the demons that ruled his soul wanted nothing to do with Christ (Mark 5:7). Jesus, evidencing His power and authority over evil spirits, cast the demons out of the man and permitted the unclean spirits to enter unclean animals. The herd of swine could not abide the indwelling of such wickedness and immediately ran off the cliff (Mark 5:10-13).
The Radical Transformation of a Believer (Mark 5:15-18)
Rather than the protracted steps and methods of “reformation” that characterize the methodology of secular psychologists and psychiatrists, the demon-possessed man’s life was immediately changed by his spiritual encounter and faith in Christ. His life evidenced the sincerity of his conversion, and the radical transformation was undeniable (Mark 5:8, 15).
When his family, friends, and neighbors came, they observed him “sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind” (Mark 5:15). He was “sitting,” at peace, and no longer bound by sin or held chains and ropes. He was “clothed,” no longer a violent man crying and cutting himself. He was “in his right mind,” repentant and rational (Mark 5:15), and he longed to go with Jesus (Mark 5:18). God’s power not only overcame his rebellious, evil spirit but also transformed his thoughts, mind, and affections.
Closing thoughts –
Despite the undeniable transformation of the man’s life, the citizens of Gadara begged Jesus to “depart out of their coasts” (Mark 5:17). They would not embrace Him as LORD, nor would they welcome Him in their homes or country. Jesus, knowing the man of Gadara could go where He would be unwelcome, commanded him, “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee” (Mark 5:19).
The change in the demon-possessed man’s life was undeniable evidence of his salvation.
Romans 12:1-2 – “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Copyright © 2024 – Travis D. Smith
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