A Legion Cast Out.

A LEGION CAST OUT.

Mark 5:1-20.

The account of the man with the Legion of devils is a dramatic demonstration of the kind of spiritual warfare which is going on for the bodies, minds, and souls of mankind.

We notice, first of all, that it is Jesus who initiated this particular confrontation. ‘Let us pass over unto the other side (of the lake),’ Jesus instructed His boatmen (Mark 4:35). The journey turned out to involve life-threatening hazards to all in the boat, but He rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, ‘Peace, be still,’ and they obeyed Him (Mark 4:39).

Jesus stepped ashore in the Gentile territory opposite Galilee. The first to meet Him was the sorry figure of a demon-possessed man, who had been living alone in the tombs. The man’s neighbours had tried keeping him chained up, but he would break the fetters, and cry out in the mountains, cutting himself with stones (Mark 5:1-5).

The man saw Jesus from afar, and ran and worshipped Him. Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. As on a previous occasion, the devils recognised Jesus, and sought to deter Him from His purpose (cf. Mark 1:23-24). It seems, sometimes, that defeated foes have the loudest voice (Mark 5:6-8).

Jesus could see beyond the tormentors to the man, and asked his name (Mark 5:9). The many voices within the man answered on his behalf, “Legion” (a regiment of 6000 Roman soldiers, the term no doubt being used to represent their great number).

Jesus had previously proved Himself stronger than the devil (cf. Mark 1:25), so now the devil gathered his minions – but even a multitude cannot stand against our Lord. The Legion of devils besought Jesus that He would not cast them into the abyss. They asked permission to enter the many swine feeding on the mountain (Mark 5:10-12).

Notice that Satan cannot do anything without the Lord’s permission (cf. Job 1:12; Job 2:6). The devil may be like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (cf. 1 Peter 5:8) - but he is lion on a chain (cf. 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6). Jesus gave them permission to enter the swine - no doubt knowing what the outcome would be (Mark 5:13a).

In the Old Testament, swine are listed as unclean animals (Leviticus 11:7; Deuteronomy 14:8). At Jesus’ command and permission, the devils left the man and entered the swine. In an ironic twist within the narrative, the whole herd ran headlong down a steep ravine into the lake, and were choked (Mark 5:13b).

The swineherds gathered a posse against Jesus after the loss of their trade, and their fellow-countrymen found the patient whom they had known and feared “sitting, and clothed and in his right mind.” The man had been restored, the devils had been cast out, and his soul had been saved. The swineherds told the story of what had happened to the demon-possessed man, but also mentioned what had happened to the swine (Mark 5:14-16).

The good citizens asked Jesus to leave their borders, as many a supposedly good person has done since. The healed man, understandably, wanted to go with Jesus. However, on this occasion Jesus sent him back to his home, wherever that may have been (Mark 5:17-19).

There the right-minded man could bear a fruitful testimony to Jesus. Having been instructed to “tell what great things the Lord has done for you, and had compassion on you,” the man “began to publish throughout the Decapolis (the ten cities) what great things JESUS had done for him: and all men did marvel” (Mark 5:20). To God be the glory.

APPLICATION.

(1). The devils believe that Jesus is the Son of God (Mark 5:7).

Even the devils believe, and tremble (James 2:19)! The religious authorities who were plotting to kill Jesus also knew what they were doing, and to whom (Luke 20:14; Luke 20:19). Unbelief is no excuse: we need to find out who this God is in whom we refuse to believe.

(2). Wonder of wonders, a whole city came out to meet Jesus (Mark 5:15): but only to use their democratic voice to reject Him (Mark 5:17)!

Similarly in Jerusalem somewhat less than a week would pass between Palm Sunday and Good Friday. Will we have faith to receive Him, and continue with Him, or will we at last fall away (cf. John 1:11-12)?