Sunday, October 6, 2013
“And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel” (Mark 5:20 KJV).
Who is this man, and what “great things” hath the Lord Jesus done for him?
In the context of today’s Scripture, Jesus and His disciples are sailing to the eastern edge of the Sea of Galilee, and they make their way into the country of the Gadarenes (verse 1). Once they leave the ship, a devil-possessed man who lives in the tombs comes out to meet them (verse 2). The following will be an experience that none of them will ever forget!
This Gadarene vexed with the devil is in a most pathetic state, and he has been in such a condition for quite some time. He is literally a wild man, one whom no one can control or arrest. He often breaks the chains and shackles meant to bind him, and day and night, he lives among the tombs and in the mountains, crying (shouting) and cutting his flesh with sharp stones (verses 3-5). In fact, as we will learn later on, this man was probably completely naked! (The many devils that possess him cause his odd behavior.)
“But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, and cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, thou torment me not. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many” (verses 6-9).
Notice this conversation Jesus is having is not with the man per se, but with the devils inside of the man. As we will see later on, actually, there may be as many as 2,000 evil spirits within him!
Let us see how Jesus Christ will handle the situation, thus observing some interesting parallels that teach Israel a lesson she will not forget, either….
333 Words of Grace 