Jesus and the demon Legion Pt. 1

Mark 5

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man

5 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. 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.

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.

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.

We are for some reason fascinated by demon possession. The movies The Exorcist, The Possession of Emily Rose, and the newly released movie Possessed are Hollywood's version of a demon possession. Hollywood knows it will draw a crowd to the theater. It scares us to think that something could have that kind of power over us. A power that can destroy us and make us do unthinkable horrors. Let's take a look at the verses and see the real power demon possession can have over someone.

Verses 1 and 2, Jesus lands on the shore of the Gerasenes, who are heathens; meaning they have no religion. He is met by a naked man with an unclean spirit. Did you catch that he was naked? Verses 3, 4, and 5 give us detail to the man's condition. The man could not be controlled and nothing would keep him from endangering others. Ever been in handcuffs? They wouldn't stand a chance holding this guy! He stayed near the tombs, which is a fitting place for an unclean spirit. Demons are filthy, vile spirits who feed on destruction and death, so being around the dead is welcoming to them. His agonizing cries could be heard continuously from the torment and pain of cutting himself with jagged rocks. The demon has no problem subduing the man's body, but watch what happens when Jesus confronts him.

Verses 6, 7, and 8 must have been an unbelievable scene. Getting out of the boat the demon possessed man sees Jesus from a distance, and he runs to him. The man has been cutting himself all over his body so he is a disgusting, bloody mess and he is naked. You have this naked, dirty, nappy-haired man falling to his knees in surrender. The demon knows he is in trouble. Even though he is evil, he recognizes Jesus for who he is: Jesus, Son of the Most High God! He shouts "What do you want from me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?" The demon in the man knows his card has been pulled. He's scared. The demon had destroyed the man's body by cutting himself and had caused him to lose his family, friends, the life he once knew. The demon pleads to Jesus, not to torture. The demon asks in God's name not to torture him. The demon knows without any doubt God has ultimate power over him. He pleads to Jesus and asks in God's name. Asking in God's name doesn't even save him from what will happen to him. Jesus commands the demon to come out of the man. To be continued.....