Nevertheless, you shall not eat of these, among those which chew the cud or among those which divide the hoof… and the pig, for though it divides the hoof, thus making a split hoof, it does not chew cud; it is unclean to you. - Leviticus 11:4a & 7
In last Sunday’s message, Jesus and His apostles were caught in a severe windstorm while crossing the Sea of Galilee. As you may recall, Jesus was sleeping in the stern of the boat when the storm arose. The fearful disciples woke Him up, He rebuked the wind and the waves, and they became still. Then the group completed their journey across the peaceful sea.
This morning we will discuss what happened when they reached the opposite shore. I have titled today’s message, “The Demoniac of Gerasene”. This incident is described in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Like last week, we will use Mark as our main text. Let’s begin…
I. A CRAZED MAN (Mark 5:1-7; Matthew 8:28-29; Luke 8:26-28)
After crossing the Sea of Galilee, Jesus and the apostles arrived in the region of the Gerasenes. As soon as Jesus got out of the boat, a demon-possessed man who dwelt among the tombs met Him. This man could not be bound because of his abnormal strength. He had frequently broken loose from shackles and chains that were used to hold him. He had therefore been banished to live among the tombs, where he cried out night and day, and gashed himself with stones. Seeing Jesus, this crazed man ran up to Him and implored Jesus not to torment him.
In Matthew’s rendition of this event, the encounter takes place in the region of the Gadarenes, not the Gerasenes. The cities of Gerasa (Mark and Luke) and Gadara (Matthew) were both located in the area known as the Decapolis, which was located to the east and southeast of the Sea of Galilee. The Decapolis was a league of 10 Greek cities which allied together to form their own distinct, subject to the Roman governor in Syria. Thus, both settings refer to the same general “region”, that is the Decapolis. Neither is incorrect, though Gadara was likely closer because it was situated near the seashore.
Also, while Mark and Luke speak of just 1 man, Matthew’s gospel states there were actually 2 demon-possessed men present. Neither Mark nor Luke claim there was only 1 man. Perhaps 1 of them was more prominent than the other, so they just wrote about him. Whatever the case, since we are using Mark’s text this morning, we’ll refer to just 1 man.
As in previous instances of demon-possession we’ve already covered in this series, the unclean spirits residing within this man immediately recognized Jesus as the Son of God. They knew exactly who He was and what He was capable of (James 2:19). As such, they implored Him not to torment them.
II. A LEGION OF DEMONS (Mark 5:8-13; Matthew 8:30-32; Luke 8:29-33)
Jesus asked the demon what his name was and he replied, “Legion; for we are many.” Then the demons pleaded with Jesus not to cast them out of the region. Seeing a herd of pigs nearby, they asked Him if they might be sent into them. Jesus permitted their request and cast them out of the demon-possessed man into the swine. The herd, made up of about 2,000 pigs, became frenzied and rushed down the steep bank, fell into the sea, and drowned.
This story illustrates that multiple demons can possess the same person. This man was possessed by an entire legion of demons. This is reminiscent of Mary Magdalene, who was possessed by 7 demons (Luke 8:2). Being possessed by a single demon sounds pretty bad, but can you imagine being possessed by several demons all at once? This story also suggests that demons are territorial and don’t like being disembodied. They chose to possess pigs rather than not possess anyone. I wonder where they went when the pigs died…
III. A MIXED REACTION (Mark 5:14-20; Matthew 8:33-34; Luke 8:34-39)
The herdsmen who were watching the pigs ran into the city and throughout the surrounding countryside reporting what had happened. Many people came out to where Jesus was and saw the formally demon-possessed man sitting down, clothed, and in his right mind. They were terrified and pleaded with Jesus to leave their region. On the contrary, the man who had been healed wanted to go with Jesus, but the Lord told him to stay and share his story with others. So the man went away and began preaching in the Decapolis about the amazing things Jesus had done for him.
What strikes me about this miracle is the people’s reaction. When they saw what Jesus had done and realized His power over demons, they were afraid. They didn’t seem too happy for the man who had been delivered from demonic possession. Rather than welcoming Jesus, they urged Him to leave them alone. There are some people who acknowledge Jesus’ power, but they are still disinterested in and even disturbed by His presence. In other words, Jesus makes some people uncomfortable.
Jesus told the man who had been set free from the demons to go be a witness for Him in the Decapolis, the place where he was from. The Decapolis was a predominantly Greek area, as evidenced by the herd of pigs. Jews didn’t raise pigs, as they were considered unclean animals. Thus, Jesus called this man to be a witness to the Gentiles, clearly indicating that His message and mission was not limited to the Jews only.
CONCLUSION
The miracle we’ve discussed this morning was an exorcism. It is the 7th occasion during which Jesus performed an exorcism or exorcisms in our series thus far. This was another spoken miracle. By casting these unclean spirits out of the man and into the pigs, Jesus demonstrated His power over demons. The man was healed and became a passionate witness for Christ.
Jesus’ stay in the Decapolis didn’t last long. As soon as he healed the demoniac, the frightened people urged Him to leave. So He and the apostles got back in their boats and returned to Galilee. However, Jesus left behind an eager witness whose life had been radically transformed. The former demoniac obediently went about telling others of his miraculous healing. His preaching seemed to be effective because when Jesus returned to the Decapolis, as we’ll discover in a few weeks, He received a much warmer reception.
I never like seeing good bacon go to waste, but in this case it was certainly worth it. A man’s life was saved, and, though it didn’t seem like it, the stage was being set for a much more fruitful return to the Decapolis. Perhaps a lesson for us is not to let rejection get you down. Jesus made a difference, even if just for 1 man, and He’d be back…
Next week we will discuss 2 more miracles as our series rolls on. I hope you’ll join us for that. Until then, may the goodness of God shower you each and every moment.
In last Sunday’s message, Jesus and His apostles were caught in a severe windstorm while crossing the Sea of Galilee. As you may recall, Jesus was sleeping in the stern of the boat when the storm arose. The fearful disciples woke Him up, He rebuked the wind and the waves, and they became still. Then the group completed their journey across the peaceful sea.
This morning we will discuss what happened when they reached the opposite shore. I have titled today’s message, “The Demoniac of Gerasene”. This incident is described in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Like last week, we will use Mark as our main text. Let’s begin…
I. A CRAZED MAN (Mark 5:1-7; Matthew 8:28-29; Luke 8:26-28)
After crossing the Sea of Galilee, Jesus and the apostles arrived in the region of the Gerasenes. As soon as Jesus got out of the boat, a demon-possessed man who dwelt among the tombs met Him. This man could not be bound because of his abnormal strength. He had frequently broken loose from shackles and chains that were used to hold him. He had therefore been banished to live among the tombs, where he cried out night and day, and gashed himself with stones. Seeing Jesus, this crazed man ran up to Him and implored Jesus not to torment him.
In Matthew’s rendition of this event, the encounter takes place in the region of the Gadarenes, not the Gerasenes. The cities of Gerasa (Mark and Luke) and Gadara (Matthew) were both located in the area known as the Decapolis, which was located to the east and southeast of the Sea of Galilee. The Decapolis was a league of 10 Greek cities which allied together to form their own distinct, subject to the Roman governor in Syria. Thus, both settings refer to the same general “region”, that is the Decapolis. Neither is incorrect, though Gadara was likely closer because it was situated near the seashore.
Also, while Mark and Luke speak of just 1 man, Matthew’s gospel states there were actually 2 demon-possessed men present. Neither Mark nor Luke claim there was only 1 man. Perhaps 1 of them was more prominent than the other, so they just wrote about him. Whatever the case, since we are using Mark’s text this morning, we’ll refer to just 1 man.
As in previous instances of demon-possession we’ve already covered in this series, the unclean spirits residing within this man immediately recognized Jesus as the Son of God. They knew exactly who He was and what He was capable of (James 2:19). As such, they implored Him not to torment them.
II. A LEGION OF DEMONS (Mark 5:8-13; Matthew 8:30-32; Luke 8:29-33)
Jesus asked the demon what his name was and he replied, “Legion; for we are many.” Then the demons pleaded with Jesus not to cast them out of the region. Seeing a herd of pigs nearby, they asked Him if they might be sent into them. Jesus permitted their request and cast them out of the demon-possessed man into the swine. The herd, made up of about 2,000 pigs, became frenzied and rushed down the steep bank, fell into the sea, and drowned.
This story illustrates that multiple demons can possess the same person. This man was possessed by an entire legion of demons. This is reminiscent of Mary Magdalene, who was possessed by 7 demons (Luke 8:2). Being possessed by a single demon sounds pretty bad, but can you imagine being possessed by several demons all at once? This story also suggests that demons are territorial and don’t like being disembodied. They chose to possess pigs rather than not possess anyone. I wonder where they went when the pigs died…
III. A MIXED REACTION (Mark 5:14-20; Matthew 8:33-34; Luke 8:34-39)
The herdsmen who were watching the pigs ran into the city and throughout the surrounding countryside reporting what had happened. Many people came out to where Jesus was and saw the formally demon-possessed man sitting down, clothed, and in his right mind. They were terrified and pleaded with Jesus to leave their region. On the contrary, the man who had been healed wanted to go with Jesus, but the Lord told him to stay and share his story with others. So the man went away and began preaching in the Decapolis about the amazing things Jesus had done for him.
What strikes me about this miracle is the people’s reaction. When they saw what Jesus had done and realized His power over demons, they were afraid. They didn’t seem too happy for the man who had been delivered from demonic possession. Rather than welcoming Jesus, they urged Him to leave them alone. There are some people who acknowledge Jesus’ power, but they are still disinterested in and even disturbed by His presence. In other words, Jesus makes some people uncomfortable.
Jesus told the man who had been set free from the demons to go be a witness for Him in the Decapolis, the place where he was from. The Decapolis was a predominantly Greek area, as evidenced by the herd of pigs. Jews didn’t raise pigs, as they were considered unclean animals. Thus, Jesus called this man to be a witness to the Gentiles, clearly indicating that His message and mission was not limited to the Jews only.
CONCLUSION
The miracle we’ve discussed this morning was an exorcism. It is the 7th occasion during which Jesus performed an exorcism or exorcisms in our series thus far. This was another spoken miracle. By casting these unclean spirits out of the man and into the pigs, Jesus demonstrated His power over demons. The man was healed and became a passionate witness for Christ.
Jesus’ stay in the Decapolis didn’t last long. As soon as he healed the demoniac, the frightened people urged Him to leave. So He and the apostles got back in their boats and returned to Galilee. However, Jesus left behind an eager witness whose life had been radically transformed. The former demoniac obediently went about telling others of his miraculous healing. His preaching seemed to be effective because when Jesus returned to the Decapolis, as we’ll discover in a few weeks, He received a much warmer reception.
I never like seeing good bacon go to waste, but in this case it was certainly worth it. A man’s life was saved, and, though it didn’t seem like it, the stage was being set for a much more fruitful return to the Decapolis. Perhaps a lesson for us is not to let rejection get you down. Jesus made a difference, even if just for 1 man, and He’d be back…
Next week we will discuss 2 more miracles as our series rolls on. I hope you’ll join us for that. Until then, may the goodness of God shower you each and every moment.