Calming a human storm #2
| When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of Him. He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!" For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!" Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. (Mark5:6-13) |
Jesus wants to set the man free. The demonic forces are many. A Roman legion consisted of 6000 soldiers. Yet these forces are terrified of Jesus. He is able to demand their name and they are begging for mercy.
This is a clear picture of the power of the Messiah even on "the other side of the lake."
One should not miss the title they give Him: "Jesus, Son of the Most High God."
This title is given to Jesus, by Mark, by God Himself at Jesus' baptism, by the Roman Centurion and, as we see here, even by His enemies.
Many people are bothered by the fact that Jesus allows the demons into the pigs, when the pigs then rush into the lake. They feel bad about the pigs and about the impact of this loss on the farmers. Some argue that the Jews considered pigs unclean, but this is a Gentile area. I think there are three main reasons Jesus allows this. Firstly, it demonstrates the destructive power and intent of evil. It was a warning about playing on Satan's playground. Secondly, it is a demonstration of the man's deliverance and the defeat of the evil powers. In the third place, I think it is a judgement on the people in the region who chained and restrained the man and were very possibly unnecessarily cruel to him.
While this account is somewhat unsettling, it does remind us that evil is real and should not be trifled with. It also demonstrates the authority and power of Jesus and shows us that He has power over the forces of darkness and that even the darkness knows who He is and knows His power and authority... and trembles...
