“They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.[a] 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him.3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.” Mark 5.1-5
It is not unusual for Jesus to be met with a demon during his early ministry in Galilee. One of the very first appearances in a synagogue has Jesus confronted with a demon. And here in the region of the Gerasenes, Jesus is confronted by a man with an impure spirit. Like moths drawn to a flame, so evil spirits find themselves under the authority of Jesus.
Here in Mark 5, as Jesus arrives on the shore, and gets out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from to the tombs to meet him. I believe he was compelled to do so. Jesus drives out demons and they have an uncanny ability of showing up and then being cast out of those they are possessing.
This possessed man lived in graveyards, because demons and Satan represents death — he was so strong no one could tie him up — not even with a chain, as scripture tells us. And night and day the man would “cry out and cut himself with stones.”
The agony of the man was terrifyingly great. The amount of personal pain immense. No earthly person could help him, that is until the Word Made Flesh came to walk among him — offering him a chance at new life.
Sin and death leads to bondage, agony and pain; but life in Christ leads to light, love and grace. Why would we choose the latter? Why would be pick anyone except joy and freedom in Jesus? He is the only one that can make us happy and make us whole.
Here in Zimbabwe, with material possessions being hard to come by, people are finding happiness in Christ, in relationships and in the community of believers. They are not caught up in the extravagance of American materialism. They have their eyes focused on things that truly matter.
The man, though demon possessed, had his eyes fixed on Jesus. I believe that somewhere deep inside, as he was haunted by the evil spirit, he knew hope lay in this rabbi from Galilee. And so he came to the one person who truly mattered — with his eyes focused on Christ who would set him free.
And Jesus sees you and me also. He sees our need, our pain, our insecurities and our struggles. He offers freedom to all who will call upon his name. If he can save a man bound by an evil spirit, he can save us from the depths of hell and lift our feet upon solid ground.
Let’s cry out to Jesus now. The author and perfector of our faith. Come to Jesus and allow him to rescue our souls and our hearts as well.
“O Lord God, at every turn, you are with me. When I falter, you restore my feet. Thank you for loving and saving your people. Thank you for the truth of your word and the hope in your grace. I love you Lord and thank you for this day. May your shield be around your people – may we put on the armor of the Spirit and do the work you have called us to do. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen