Setting the Demoniac Free
TRANSLATION
(1) And they came to the other side of the sea to the region of the Gerasenes. (2) When Jesus stepped out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit immediately confronted him coming out of the tombs. (3) He was living among the tombs, and no one could restrain him, not even with a chain. (4) He had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he had broken all restraints and wrenched the bindings apart. No one had the strength to subdue him. (5) Constantly, night and day among the tombs and in the mountains, he cried out and cut himself with stones.
(6) When he saw Jesus at a distance, he ran up and fell down before him (7) crying out with a loud voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, for God’s sake, do not torment me.” (8) For he had said to him, “Come out of him, you impure spirit!” (9) Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he replied, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” (10) And he begged him not to send them out of the country.
(11) Now on the hillside there was a large herd of pigs grazing. (12) And the (demons) begged Jesus, “Send us into the pigs so we can enter them.” (13) And he gave them permission. And the demons left (the man) and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the slope and (plunged) into the sea. In all, about two thousand (pigs) drowned in the sea. (14) Then the herdsmen fled and spread the news in the town and in the countryside. And everyone came out to see what had happened. (15) And as they approached Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting, clothed, and in his right mind, and they were afraid. (16) And those who had seen it told the others what had happened to the man who had been demon-possessed and about the pigs as well. (17) And they 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 family and friends and tell them about the great things the Lord has done for you, how he has shown you (undeserved) mercy.” (20) And he went on his way and began to proclaim in Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.
OBSERVATIONS
This chapter contains some of the most powerful displays of divine power Jesus performed during his earthly ministry. The first of these miracles, his delivering the Gerasene demoniac from the legion of demons that possessed him, displayed Jesus’ sovereignty over the unseen spiritual realm and is the subject of today’s study.
Several key terms were repeated in this segment. Relating to the demonic we find “impure spirit(s)” (vss. 2 & 8), “tombs” (vss. 2, 3, & 5), “legion” (vss. 8 & 15), “demon possessed” (vss. 2, 15, 16, & 18). “Chains” and “shackles” were both repeated (vs. 4). “Pigs” was found three times (vss. 11, 13, & 16). “Begged” occurred four times (vss. 10, 12, 17, & 18). First the demons begged Jesus not to banish them but to send them into the herd of pigs. Then the Gerasenes begged Jesus to leave their region. Finally, the healed man begged Jesus that he might personally accompany him.
OUTLINE
I. Jesus met and freed the demoniac from a legion of demons. (1-13)
II. The terrified Gerasenes begged Jesus to leave their region as Jesus instructed the healed man to tell others about God’s mercy. (14-20)
IDEA STATEMENT
By setting the demoniac free Jesus demonstrated his power over Satan’s realm but so terrified the Geresenes that he was asked to leave their region.
APPLICATION
Which had the greater value, two thousand dead pigs or one healed demoniac? For Jesus the answer was clear. In his sight, human beings were far more valuable than animals, a response that those who favor animal rights might find hard to accept. It is always painful to see how degraded human beings under Satan’s dominion can become. While we may never encounter someone like the demoniac Jesus healed, our world is filled with criminals, drug addicts, sex slaves, those whose lives have been devastated by the enemy of our souls. The transformation which Jesus can bring to such troubled lives can be repeatedly observed in the testimonies of those who have experienced the healing touch of the Savior.
A recently popular worship song, Mighty to Save, by Reuben Morgan and Ben Fielding and sung by Hillsong, captures the essence of the deliverance Jesus can give to those who trust in him:
Well, everyone needs compassion, a love that’s never failing.
Let mercy fall on me.
Well, everyone needs forgiveness, the kindness of the Savior,
The hope of nations.
Savior, he can move the mountains.
My God is mighty to save, he is mighty to save.
Forever, author of salvation, he rose and conquered the grave.
Jesus conquered the grave.