FREED!
FREED!
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 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.” 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. —Mark 5:18-20
In Mark 5:1-20 we read of Jesus coming into contact with a man who was severely possessed with many demons. His strength was such that he could not even be bound with a chain— “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” (Mark 5:4). This man was in such agony that “Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones” (v.5). Try to imagine hearing him as you walked through that area…
But “When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him” (v.2). The man “shouted at the top of his voice” and said, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” (v.7). Jesus told “Legion” to come out of him and gave them permission to go into a nearby herd of pigs. When they did “The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned” (v.13).
We learn a number of things from this passage—
- People can be possessed by demons
- People can cry out when possessed by demons
- People can go toward Jesus when possessed by demons
- Demons are powerful
- Demons know judgment is coming upon them
- Demons submit to Jesus
- Demons can possess animals
- Demons can only do what Jesus give permission to do
- Jesus has authority over demons
- People can be freed from demons by Jesus
Then “the people went out to see what had happened. 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” (v.14-15). Instead of rejoicing, the initial reaction was that “Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region” (vs.16-17). And He did. The formerly possessed man wanted to go with Him, but Jesus 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.” 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.” Oh, Dear Father, may we, like the formerly demon possessed man, have a passion to tell others what great thing Jesus has done for us. Yes, may this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. So be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QANH8MWuyaE&list=RDQANH8MWuyaE&start_radio=1