The story of the Demoniac of Gadara is in Mark 5. It’s not a typical story. This guy is possessed of devils, lives among tombs, runs around naked, and no one can control him. He probably stinks to high heaven, looks awful, and is feared. Yet here he is. As soon as he spots Jesus he runs and worships him. Did you get that? He runs and worships Jesus.
That’s a far cry from the rich young ruler in Mark 10 or Nicodemus in John 3, 7, and 19. These two had an encounter with Jesus and worried more about earthly matters. And in doing so put their very souls in jeopardy. This man, the demoniac, runs and worships Jesus. He didn’t have time to do anything else because the devils within him were shaken by the appearance of Jesus. They didn’t want Jesus to torment them.
Jesus called them out. They had a short conversation with Jesus and then were cast into the nearby pigs. The poor old pigs were startled by the devils and ran to their deaths into the sea. Those tending the pigs immediately ran into town and told everyone what happened. The interesting part comes when the townspeople come out to where it all took place, spot the former demoniac sitting quietly, clothed and in his right mind. It appears to mean very little to them.
Stunned at their financial loss they literally beg Jesus to leave. No rejoicing takes place because the man has been restored to himself. In fact, the man says he wants to go with Jesus. But Jesus tells him to stay and tell his story to his friends. Be a witness for Jesus.
These people needed witnessing. First of all, it’s a pretty good guess that these folks were Gentiles. Jews didn’t keep pigs. More than likely, the former demoniac was a Gentile, too. But yet, he runs and worships him. It’s a testament to the power of Jesus. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)”
Two thousand plus years later, the world hasn’t change much. We still have the same enemy, Satan. Praise the Lord that we have a redeemer, Jesus Christ, who will be with us always. (Matthew 28:20)
That’s a far cry from the rich young ruler in Mark 10 or Nicodemus in John 3, 7, and 19. These two had an encounter with Jesus and worried more about earthly matters. And in doing so put their very souls in jeopardy. This man, the demoniac, runs and worships Jesus. He didn’t have time to do anything else because the devils within him were shaken by the appearance of Jesus. They didn’t want Jesus to torment them.
Jesus called them out. They had a short conversation with Jesus and then were cast into the nearby pigs. The poor old pigs were startled by the devils and ran to their deaths into the sea. Those tending the pigs immediately ran into town and told everyone what happened. The interesting part comes when the townspeople come out to where it all took place, spot the former demoniac sitting quietly, clothed and in his right mind. It appears to mean very little to them.
Stunned at their financial loss they literally beg Jesus to leave. No rejoicing takes place because the man has been restored to himself. In fact, the man says he wants to go with Jesus. But Jesus tells him to stay and tell his story to his friends. Be a witness for Jesus.
These people needed witnessing. First of all, it’s a pretty good guess that these folks were Gentiles. Jews didn’t keep pigs. More than likely, the former demoniac was a Gentile, too. But yet, he runs and worships him. It’s a testament to the power of Jesus. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)”
Two thousand plus years later, the world hasn’t change much. We still have the same enemy, Satan. Praise the Lord that we have a redeemer, Jesus Christ, who will be with us always. (Matthew 28:20)
