Scripture:
Mark 5:1-20 NKJV
[1] Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. [2] And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, [3] who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, [4] because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. [5] And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. [6] When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. [7] And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” [8] For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” [9] Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” [10] Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. [11] Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. [12] So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.” [13] And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea. [14] So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. [15] Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. [16] And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. [17] Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region. [18] And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. [19] However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” [20] And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.
Observation:
This particular story has always intrigued me, and honestly there is a lot of lessons in it for so if we pay attention. One of the first things we need to see is that Jesus was very different from other Jewish teachers. The region of the Gadarenes was much like the Samaritans it was an area that was forbidden for the Jewish people to go. A land full of Gentile pig farmers. It would have been considered unclean. Yet moments before the land in the region of Gadnesar we see Jesus teaching about seeds, faith, and the authority of the words spoken. Than HE tells HIS disciples to get in the boat because they are going to the other side. We’ll it just so happens that the other side was an area the was fill with reasons not to go including but not limited to a bunch of unclean gentile pig farmers. As soon as they get out of the boat HE is encountered by a man who was demon-possessed. This man was aware of who Jesus is and came straight to HIM and worshiped HIM. As he identified HIM as the very son of the most high GOD?” The question he asked is what I find somewhat interesting, “what have I to do with you. His condition was described as pretty hopeless. Chained with shackles that were broken regularly, living among the tombs unable to be tamed. He was a very dangerous man. But just one encounter with the SON of GOD changed all that. Crying out not to be tormented. I’m sure the man was desperate for something he just didn’t know what it was, until the moment Jesus spoke the words, “Come out” words spoken with authority. Words spoken from a heart of love for all people, knowing that all people were created by the Father in heaven. As HE asked for the name of the demon that possessed him, knowing that the name HE had been given was the one name that trumped all other names. HE made the demons enter into a herd of pigs that had been standing near by. Now I find what happens next to be very interesting as well the pigs run down the bank and drowned in the sea. I bring our attention to that because its important. The pigs are temporal and the demons are eternal. Once the flesh of the pigs were dead the demons were released. I believe they knew that and that’s why they asked to be sent into the swine. The farmers who had been making a living raising pigs just lost a bunch of money through this encounter. A herd of pigs was now gone not just one pig but a whole herd. The man however, had been set free. No longer tormented by the demons. Those who saw the whole encounter begged Jesus to leave they. The man who had been demon-possessed wanted to go with HIM. Any other time I believe Jesus would have said yes. But this time HE had another purpose. This man’s story was going to change lives. The encounter that was had changed his in such a way that it could not be denied. As those in the region found him clothed and in his right mind. He went away from there to proclaim what Jesus had done in his life, and all who saw him marveled as they remembered how he used to be.
Application:
I remember the defining moment. The very day I encountered the one who had the authority to remove the shackles from my feet that had kept me bound to the grave. The more I search the more I find my spot is not in any one place. Jesus has set me free from the chains, and said go and tell your story. This scripture was brought to my mind last night. Because as I do what the LORD wants me to do a lot of different people get put in front of me. People who are much like I used to be. People who have been chained to the tombs of death and addiction. Needing an encounter with Jesus Christ. I want to tell you this morning. If you have been set free from the demons that at one point possessed your soul. Demons of addiction, perversion, fornication, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and many others that can be mentioned. HE wants to use your story. The authority HE was given by the Father. The name that is above every other name. HE has used that name to set you free and HE wants you to use it to do the very same thing for others. I want to ask you all to pray for a man whom I have encountered twice now. I can only share his first name, but GOD knows exactly who he is. First I must ask you, do you believe in the power of prayer?… I do!!! And I believe what the Bible says to be true. I believe that Jesus Christ is the SON of GOD who was placed on a cross to die than placed in a tomb to be resurrected and is now sitting at the right hand of the Father making intercession for is. I believe GOD’S word when it says these are the signs that will happen for those who believe. I believe when the Bible tells me to ask and it will be done. I believe that this man belongs to Christ, and that’s why he is tormented. I believe that the influence he has will be used for the kingdom. I believe that as we pray for Scott the chains that bind him to the tombs of the dead will be broken. What I’m asking is will you join me in prayer? Will you pray for Scott? Will you pray that he be set free, will you speak the same of Jesus over him? Will you join the rescue mission that is right at the gates of hell. If you have been set free than you know what bondage feels like. If you have been truly set free you have compassion for those who are still bound, knowing that’s not GOD’S will for them. Let’s not limit GOD. HE is to big for limits. HE is was and always will be. HIS grace is unending and HIS mercy endures forever. HE set HIS people free from Egypt before and HE will do it again. There are people who are still bound and we have been given the same spirit that rose Christ from for dead. Let’s pray in the spirit with the authority that we have been given please join me.
Prayer:
Father, your word tells us we have not because we ask not, and when we ask we ask for selfish reasons. So this morning we set ourselves aside and lift up those who are still bound. We are not lifting them up for any personal gain. We are not asking so that we be glorified, but that you power be on display for all to see. We know who you are you created heaven and earth, and orchestra every step that brought us to this very moment, when our hearts would be on those who are oppressed. We speak the name of Jesus over them. We speak to every demon right now. Demons of addiction, you have no authority here come out, demons of depression, you can not stay. In the mighty name of Jesus we command you to leave. Spirits of anxiety we had you over to the most high. We pray for captives to be set free. We pray for all who struggle to see you Fathers as the source of everything they need. We pray for chains to be broken and those who are bound to the grave to be set free to live. We pray that the church would get out of their comfort zone and kick the gates down. Like they were built to do. We pray for the gifts and calling to be fanned into flames and a great revival to kick off. We pray for those who are teaching ear ticking messages to preach the truth. We pray for the deception to be revealed. For the curtain to be pulled back and the truth to be known. Father we pray for your Holy Spirit to fill us with the sane power that rose Christ from the dead. The chain braking, demon shaking, freedom taking, boldness that shuts the mouths us those who deny your power. Set them free Father. Kick down the gates and set them free. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.