From a Maniac to a Missionary
Mark 5: 1-20
Our text follows the great miracle Jesus performed as He calmed the raging sea that arose while they sailed upon the Sea of Galilee. As we come to Chapter 5, we encounter several more miracles Jesus performed as He walked among men. We will find Him casting out demons, healing a dreadful disease, and raising a young girl from the dead.
This chapter emphasizes the great power and compassion Jesus had as He ministered in various places around Capernaum. There was no need too great or too small. Everywhere Jesus went He transformed lives. For the believer, each of the accounts recorded in Mark 5 paint a beautiful picture of the transformation that has taken place in us. We have been set free from the bonds of sin, healed of the dreaded infirmity of our iniquity, and delivered from eternal death and condemnation.
As we begin this wonderful chapter, I want to examine the details described in the text and consider the thought: From a Maniac to a Missionary. As we do, I hope these verses will encourage us to look to Jesus for the varied needs in our lives.
I. Consider the Maniac – Our text reveals a man in need of Jesus. Notice:
A. His Dwelling (3) – Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains. We find that he lived among the tombs. We must understand that this wasn’t just a place he spent some time, but this was his dwelling. He spent his days among the dead.
His life pictures those separated from God in sin. They are spiritually dead and have no fellowship with those who are alive in Christ. They are literally dwelling among the dead in a spiritual sense. Praise God I no longer live among the dead, but dwell in the land of the living.
B. His Desperation (4-5) – Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. [5] And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. He lived a life that was out of control. Others had tried to help him, but could not. His life was dominated by the influence of Satan. He had been bound with chains, but couldn’t be tamed.
No doubt he lived a life of despair – sad, lonely, rejected, and totally avoided by society. The torments of life never ceased, V.5. Day and night the pain and misery of life was upon him. He found no comfort or peace, only despair and desolation.
Many around us today are in the same desperate situation. I don’t know any who dwell in the cemetery, but they live in despair. Their lives are dominated by sin – drugs, alcohol, sexual addiction, etc. Every day begins the same as the day before – in despair. They find no way of escape and continue to live in defeat. This man lived a tragic life, as many do today. They have no hope, joy, peace, or comfort, constantly searching for a way to escape the pain and suffering.
C. His Desire (2, 6) – And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, [6] But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him. He dealt with circumstances beyond his control, (we can’t handle sin in ourselves), but he must’ve longed for the day that the suffering would end. There was a day that he caught a glimpse of hope; he saw Jesus!
Can you imagine the scene? He has lived in torment among the tombs, but one day a small boat arrives. Something within him knew Jesus was his only hope. I don’t know if the man knew Jesus, but the demons inside certainly did. James 2:19 – the devils also believe, and tremble. Whatever the case, he is found at the feet of Jesus, worshipping Him.
Our world is filled with those who are in pain. We may never see or know, but their pain is real. They long for a means to escape their desperation. Jesus is the way! Do you desire to meet the Lord?
II. Consider the Master – The text reveals much about Jesus. Notice:
A. His Presence (1) – And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. Jesus came to where the demonic man was. Jesus knew his condition and where to find him. It wasn’t coincidence or luck; it was by divine appointment!
It’s interesting to note that Jesus did nothing else while in Gadara. We don’t find Him teaching in the synagogue, feeding multitudes, or healing their sick. He came through the storm on Galilee to reach this lost sinner. That one lost, wretched soul needed a Savior and Jesus showed up in his hour of need.
Aren’t you glad for the presence of Jesus? I remember the day I was saved. It wasn’t in a great revival where many were saved – just me; I was the only one. Jesus came just for me! He will do the same for you. Jesus loves you; He knows your need and He wants to meet that need today! He died for you; you’re the reason.
B. His Preeminence (7) – And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. As Jesus appeared that day, the man immediately knew this was the Son of God. He was aware that Jesus was there and that He possessed all deity. Clearly the demons had no desire to worship Jesus, but they too acknowledged His deity.
That is what is required if we are to be saved and set free from the bondage of sin. If you have never recognized Jesus for who He is and your need for Him, you must do so. He is the only way to be redeemed and given eternal life. We must come to the place that we realize we need Jesus. We must see ourselves as unworthy and undone before Him.
C. His Power (8-9, 13) – For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. [9] And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. [13] And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea. For those who knew this man, his was a hopeless situation. He dwelt among the tombs, ran about naked, and was unable to be bound.
He was filled with a multitude of demons. At this time, a Roman legion could number as many as 6,000. I don’t know how many he was possessed with, but they were many. His was a desperate condition. There was only One who could help this man and He had come. Jesus immediately commanded – Come out of the man. Isn’t it amazing that at the voice of Jesus Satan has to flee? We are no match for him, but Jesus is!
If you live a life controlled by sin, you’re helpless within yourself. Jesus, however, can bring victory to your soul. He has the power to cleanse your heart, forgive your sin, and redeem your soul. If Jesus possessed the power to save this man, (He did), I know He can save you! He forever defeated sin on the cross of Calvary. Jesus has the power to release you from the bondage of sin if you will only trust Him.
III. Consider the Miracle – What a difference Jesus makes when He passes by. This is the same man, that a few moments before was a maniac, living among the tombs, desperate for a change in life. In a moment’s time he went from complete despair to eternal deliverance. Notice:
A. His Conversion (15) – And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. As the people gathered to see the spectacle, they encountered something they never imagined. This was the same man who had brought terror to all who knew him. He had dwelt among the dead, but now he has been changed. The Lord made all the difference in his life. Let’s see what the Lord did for this man.
1. His Comfort – He is found sitting with Jesus. He is no longer running among the tombs. He is no longer desperate for peace in his heart. He is no longer tormented by the demons and effects of sin. If you are living life on the run among the dead, Jesus alone can provide the comfort you need. You can come to Him and sit at His feet.
2. His Clothing – He was sitting, and clothed. He was no longer running among the tombs naked and unclothed. He was dressed and presentable. There is a profound truth in the fact that the man was clothed. The point here is that there was a change in the man that was noticeable for those who knew him to see. The Lord had done a work on the inside and it was visible from the outside.
3. His Comprehension – He was sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind. Meeting Jesus affected the way this man thought. His mind was no longer controlled by Satan. He no longer desired the things of the world or the pleasures of sin. His mind was focused on the Lord. An encounter with Jesus will change your thought processes. You will no longer question or deny the power of the Lord. Your thoughts will no longer be on the things of the world or the lusts of the flesh, but on the Lord.
B. His Commission (18-20) – And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. [19] Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. [20] And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel. The man no longer wanted to live alone, but desired to go with Jesus. He wanted to be with the One who had brought deliverance. Jesus had another plan for him. He was to go and tell what had happened in his life.
When a man is truly saved, he’ll want to tell others what has happened. The man wasted no time. He began to publish what the Lord had done for him. He told it all around Decapolis, the region of ten cities that included Gadara. He became a true disciple for the Lord.
Conclusion: We didn’t deal with it, but those in Gadara rejected Jesus. They wanted no part of Him. This world doesn’t want you to get to Jesus. He is ready to deliver and save. Are you as the maniac among the tombs? Maybe you have been saved by His grace, but sin and burdens of life have robbed your joy. If so, why not come today?
