Mark 5:1-20 | Proverbs 16:9
The story of the Gerasene demoniac is an incredibly interesting story. It’s told in Matthew and Luke as well, but this is one story for which Mark gives more details than the other gospels. Most of the time, Mark’s version of a story is shorter.
There are many things one could mull over in this account. But for today, consider the matter that the man asked to go with Jesus as one of his disciples, but Jesus told him no. He told him to go home and tell his own people. (The Gerasenes were not Jewish, so some people have called this man the first apostle to the Gentiles.)
Asking Jesus to be his disciple was not a bad thing. It was not the wrong thing. Jesus would be please for anyone to ask this question. But the Lord had other plans for the man. We might think we know what God would have us do, but listening carefully might show us that there is another good plan yet to come.
Mark 5:1-20
Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the lake, to the region of the Gerasenes. As soon as Jesus got out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out of the tombs. This man lived among the tombs, and no one was ever strong enough to restrain him, even with a chain. He had been secured many times with leg irons and chains, but he broke the chains and smashed the leg irons. No one was tough enough to control him. Night and day in the tombs and the hills, he would howl and cut himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from far away, he ran and knelt before him, shouting, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won’t torture me!”
He said this because Jesus had already commanded him, “Unclean spirit, come out of the man!”
Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
He responded, “Legion is my name, because we are many.” They pleaded with Jesus not to send them out of that region.
A large herd of pigs was feeding on the hillside. “Send us into the pigs!” they begged. “Let us go into the pigs!” Jesus gave them permission, so the unclean spirits left the man and went into the pigs. Then the herd of about two thousand pigs rushed down the cliff into the lake and drowned.
Those who tended the pigs ran away and told the story in the city and in the countryside. People came to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and saw the man who used to be demon-possessed. They saw the very man who had been filled with many demons sitting there fully dressed and completely sane, and they were filled with awe. Those who had actually seen what had happened to the demon-possessed man told the others about the pigs. Then they pleaded with Jesus to leave their region.
While he was climbing into the boat, the one who had been demon-possessed pleaded with Jesus to let him come along as one of his disciples. But Jesus wouldn’t allow it. “Go home to your own people,” Jesus said, “and tell them what the Lord has done for you and how he has shown you mercy.” The man went away and began to proclaim in the Ten Cities all that Jesus had done for him, and everyone was amazed.
Proverbs 16:9
People plan their path, but the Lord secures their steps.
Prayer
God,
Thank you for Sundays. As I begin this week, I offer the path to you. Lead me and guide me according to your righteousness, that what I do - big or small - would move toward your justice.
In fact, I pray this for the Church worldwide today. Lead us, even if we haven’t held our hand out to you in a while. Bring people to faith, and keep us in faithfulness.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.