Mark 5:1-24 The Gerasene Demoniac

They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes. When He got out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him, ^and he had his dwelling among the tombs. And no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain; ^because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him and the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Constantly, night and day, he was screaming among the tombs and in the mountains, and gashing himself with stones. Seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down before Him; ^and shouting with a loud voice, he said, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore you by God, do not torment me!” For He had been saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” And He was asking him, “What is your name?” And he said to Him, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” And he began to implore Him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now there was a large herd of swine feeding nearby on the mountain. The demons implored Him, saying, “Send us into the swine so that we may enter them.” Jesus gave them permission. And coming out, the unclean spirits entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, about two thousands of them; and they were drowned in the sea.

The most important observation here is to see that demons, even powerful groups of demons, recognize Jesus for who He is and obey him. Demons are fallen angels who are under the control of Satan, but in the presence of Jesus who is the Son of God, they obey him and recognize that they have been judged. If Satan’s army recognizes and obeys Jesus, how much more should soldiers in God’s army do for the Son of God? Think about it.

Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, you came not to judge me, but to free me. Because of Your finished work on the Cross, I am free to obey You not out of duty, but out of love. Instill in us all this kind of love. In Your holy name I pray Amen.