Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you

 

 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.  And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains.  And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him.  And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.  

 

When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.  And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I implore You by God that You do not torment me."  For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!"  Then He asked him, "What is your name?"  And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many."  Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.  

 

Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains.  So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them."  And at once Jesus gave them permission.  Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.  

 

So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country.  And they went out to see what it was that had happened.  Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind.  And they were afraid.  And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine.  Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.  

 

And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him.  However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you."  And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

 

- Mark 5:1–20 

 

Yesterday we read that, when evening had come, Jesus said to the disciples, "Let us cross over to the other side."  Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was.  And other little boats were also with Him.  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.  And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"  Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!"  And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.  But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful?  How is it that you have no faith?"  And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"

 

  Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.  And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains.  And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him.  And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.  The country of the Gadarenes, according to my study Bible, was in Galilee, in an area with many Gentiles living among the Jews.  This man's behavior is the result of demonic influence and demon-possession; we observe that his life and his behavior exemplify chaos, delusion, and self-destruction.

 

 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.  And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I implore You by God that You do not torment me."  For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!"  Then He asked him, "What is your name?"  And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many."  Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.   The unclean spirit recognizes Christ, by now a familiar occurrence in St. Mark's Gospel.  Let us note that this comes in response to a command by Christ to come out of the man.  The pitiful state of the man is attributable to a Legion of demons.

 

 Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains.  So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them."  And at once Jesus gave them permission.  Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.  The large herd of swine is more evidence of Gentile populations living among the Jews, as swine were considered unclean for Jews.  Once again we note the effect of the demons, to create violent and self-destructive behavior even collectively in the herd of about two thousand swine.  

 

 So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country.  And they went out to see what it was that had happened.  Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind.  And they were afraid.  And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine.  Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.   My study Bible comments that Gentile influence on the Jews caused many of them to take on Gentile practices, such as raising swine, which was forbidden by Law.  While there are those who say these people, who plead with Christ to depart from their region, are Gentiles, it's more likely they are apostate Jews engaged in a practice forbidden by the Law (see Deuteronomy 14:8).   Note that these people's response to the healing of this formerly demon-possessed man is similar to the cold hard-heartedness of the Pharisees at the healing of the man with the withered hand.  Their concern is with the swine, and the commercial value of what they have lost -- and they respond to the man's healing with fear.  

 

 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him.  However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you."  And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.  This shows Jesus' marvelous effect on our lives.  Not only does He heal the man, but because this man can no longer return to where he was, Jesus gives him a new mission in life, and equips him to go home to those who are his friends.  

 

Christ's effect of resurrection in our lives may not always be obvious to us, but it's important to  note and to understand the reality of it at work in today's reading.  If we note this terrible state of the man who is demon-possessed, we can hardly help but understand just how dismal a prospect he was.  Possessed by a self-professed Legion of demons, we might ask ourselves how on earth he would have survived such a predicament.  Indeed, one comment in my study Bible notes that his very survival shows God's care for human beings, as we can see by the death of the swine once the demons enter into them; the man was still in some way protected from such a fate.  According to commentary by Father Stephen De Young, to be demon-possessed in the sense of this man is only possible first through some sort of participation, a form of invitation to this activity, on the part of the man in the first place.  Given the pagan environment of the time and place in our reading, such participation (perhaps in pagan temple worship rituals) would not have been hard to come by.  But this backdrop to the story adds to our understanding of Christ and His mission, and the story of this demon-possessed man.  We might still presume him to be Jewish, and to have participated in things influenced by such practices, just as the raising of swine teaches us about these (presumed) Jews engaging in a practice forbidden by Law but for profit among the Gentiles.  Of course, if they had welcomed the liberation of this demon-possessed man from his Legion of demons, they, too, would be welcome among Christ's followers.  Today's reading foreshadows the coming into the Church of the Gentiles, but it tells us more about Christ's saving work.  We are saved by the power of Christ from what's not good for us, what is destructive and malicious.  But we, also, make choices as to whether or not we participate in the energies of those forces which would perpetuate evil, and be destructive to human beings and even to the life of creation, such as the swine.  We make choices as to what we allow, regarding the things in which we choose to participate, even what we welcome or reject (such as the healing of this man).  Our lives here in the world are in a sense "in the middle" of things we can't see, but among which we nevertheless choose.  Let us carefully align with the beautiful and healthful, and forego a short-term gain for the great things which God offers in their place.  For Christ's power of resurrection is at work in the life of this formerly demon-possessed man, and so it can be also in ours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you

 

 Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee.  And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time.  And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs.  When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I beg You, do not torment me!"  For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.  For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.  Jesus asked him, saying, "What is your name?"  And he said, "Legion," because many demons had entered him.  And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.  

Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain.  So they begged Him that he would permit them to enter them.  And He permitted them.  Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.  When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country.  Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind.  And they were afraid.  They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed.  Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear.  And he got into the boat and returned.

 

Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him.  But Jesus sent him away, saying, "Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you."  And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.  

 

- Luke 8:26–39 

 

In yesterday's reading, Jesus taught, "No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light.  For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.  Therefore take heed how you hear.  For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him." Then His mother and brothers came to  Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd.  And it was told Him by some, who said, "Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You."  But He answered and said to them, "My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it."  Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples.  And He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side of the lake."  And they launched out.  But as they sailed He fell asleep.  And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy.  And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!"  Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water.  And they ceased, and there was a calm.  But He said to them, "Where is your faith?"  And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, "Who can this be?  For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!"

 

  Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee.  And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time.  And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs.  When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I beg You, do not torment me!"  For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.  For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.  Jesus asked him, saying, "What is your name?"  And he said, "Legion," because many demons had entered him.  And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.   The demons recognize Jesus as the Son of the Most High God.  Once again, the Gospel has thrust us into an opening in which we view the "unseen warfare" going on all the time in our world, with human beings as the battleground.  This unfortunate man is occupied by a legion of demons, language suggestive of the political occupation of Israel but teaching us about the "strong man" whom Jesus has come into the world to overthrow (see Luke 11:20-22).  We see evidence of the enslaving, destructive, and torturous nature of the demonic influence, the realm opposed to Jesus, in the description of this afflicted man.

 

 Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain.  So they begged Him that he would permit them to enter them.  And He permitted them.  Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.  When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country.  Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind.  And they were afraid.  They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed.  Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear.  And he got into the boat and returned.  Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him.  But Jesus sent him away, saying, "Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you."  And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.  My study Bible comments that, although the malice of the demons is great, they can do nothing against the will of God.  Therefore, they can only enter the swine with the permission of Christ.  It notes that the immediate destruction of the herd shows that the man had been protected by God care.  Otherwise, he would have perished under the demonic influence.  It further reinforces that swineherding was not lawful for the Jews, my study Bible comments, and shows the incomparable value of human beings, whose salvation is worth every price.  While there are those who teach that the presence of the swine indicates a Gentile population, this passage would seem to indicate otherwise.  Jesus forbade His disciples to go to the Gentiles (Matthew 10:5), and He Himself was reluctant to seek them out (Matthew 15:24).  These are likely to be Jews engaged in a sinful occupation.  their hardhearted response to the healing of this man seems to be further validation of their irreverent attitude.

 

Let us take a look at the man who's been "relieved" of the affliction of a legion of demons.  The last part of today's reading tells us:  Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him.  But Jesus sent him away, saying, "Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you."  And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.   In some sense, the man has been through a terrible ordeal from which he's been relieved.  It reminds us, perhaps, of a person who has been through the experience of a terrible addiction, years of self-destructive behavior, with his world that of people who know him in this state, find ways to tolerate him, or otherwise live side by side in the same place.  But now that this man is healed and cleared of the demons, the ones who were formerly his "neighbors" in this wilderness of tombs and caves and deserted places away from the city want nothing to do with him.  For he in his "right mind" and in his healed state, is a symbol of the effects of Jesus, who has also sent the legion of demons into their swine.  For the swineherders of this region, the loss of their property is a far more distasteful experience than any good news of this man's healing could cover.  They've made their choices, and just as they sought an occupation sinful in the eyes of Jews for a lucrative Gentile market, so they choose again that the power of God working to relieve a man of a legion of demons is not what they want anything to do with if it threatens their livelihood by which they profit handsomely.  They have made their choice for money over the values of their faith, and now over the direct act of the Messiah.  The healed man understands this and knows that his former habitation is no place for him to remain.  Like an addict seeking to be freed of a life of addiction, he no longer fits where he was and must find a new life, and new company.  But neither does Jesus allow the man to continue with Him and with the apostles.  Instead, Jesus finds the healed man the right occupation, and gives him a new path to pursue.  He's told, "Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you."   This is, in fact, a strong indication of Christ's work on us when we come to a kind of dead end -- when we can't go on the way we were, need to change, and to find a new life, so to speak, a new direction.   It is Christ who will give us direction, a new place we can't necessarily create of ourselves, for God's perspective is so much greater than ours is.  There are times when God will give us inspiration beyond what we could have planned or even the alternatives we can see, just like with this healed man, to whom Jesus gives a great new job -- and sends home with glorious good news.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country

 

 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.  And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had so often been bound with shackles and chains.  And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him.  And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.  When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.  And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I implore You by God that You do not torment me."  For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!"  Then He asked him, "What is your name?"  And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many."  Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. 

 

Now a large herd of swine was feeding there in the mountains.  So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them."  And at once Jesus gave them permission.  Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.  So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country.  And they went out to see what it was that had happened.  Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind.  And they were afraid.  And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine.  Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.  

 

And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him.  However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you."  And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

 

- Mark 5:1-20 

 

Yesterday we read that, after Jesus had been preaching in parables, on the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side."  Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was.  And other little boats were also with Him.  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.  And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"  Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!"  And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.  But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful?  How is it that you have no faith?"  And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"

 

  Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.   My study Bible comments that the country of the Gadarenes was in Galilee, an area of many Gentiles living among the Jews. 

 

And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had so often been bound with shackles and chains.  And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him.  And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.  When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.  Let us note the signs of this man's terrible affliction, an occupation by a legion of demons.   He can't be bound, and has a kind of superhuman strength, even pulling apart his chains, and breaking his shackles in pieces.  He's a picture of chaos, and cannot be tamed.  He cannot live in community but among the dead in the tombs, nor can he live a healthy life, constantly crying out and cutting himself with stones.  He has no rest from this, night and day.  But nevertheless, there remains a part of this man who runs to Christ for help, for when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.

 

And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I implore You by God that You do not torment me."  For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!"  Then He asked him, "What is your name?"  And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many."  Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. My study Bible comments that these demons recognize Jesus as Son of the Most High God.  Note how this legion of demons do not want to be sent out of the country. 

Now a large herd of swine was feeding there in the mountains.  So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them."  And at once Jesus gave them permission.  Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.  In this region of mixed populations, Gentile influence caused many Jews to take on Gentile practices, such as raising swine, which was forbidden by the Law (Deuteronomy 14:8).  Perhaps they raise swine for the Gentile market, a lucrative practice.  My study Bible comments that, although some teach that the presence of the swine indicates these are Gentiles, we know that the Lord forbade His disciples to go to the Gentiles (Matthew 10:5) and was Himself reluctant to seek out the Gentiles (Matthew 15:24), so it is more likely these are Jews engaged in what is for them a sinful occupation.  My study Bible comments that although the malice of these demons is great (for we observed the torment of this man), they can do nothing against the will of God.  So they can only enter the swine at the command of Christ.  It notes that the immediate destruction of this herd shows that the man had been protected by God's care, otherwise he would have perished under the demonic influence.  It also reinforces that swineherding was unlawful for the Jews, and shows the incomparable value of human beings, whose salvation is worth every sacrifice.  

  So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country.  And they went out to see what it was that had happened.  Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind.  And they were afraid.  And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine.  Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.  Again, emphasizing the lack of response to faith in these people, we see that they care far more for their swine than for this man and the remarkable healing of a human being.  They respond simply with fear, and plead with Jesus to depart from their region.  They want nothing to do with Him.  They care only for the swine they have lost.

And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him.  However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you."  And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.  Clearly we can understand how this formerly demon-possessed man does not want to remain in this region, where he's been plagued by demons, and in which the people care more for their swine than for the healing of a human being.  Moreover, the people here have rejected Christ.  But Jesus has an alternate plan for him:  He will go home to his friends, tell them what great things the Lord has done for him -- and he began to proclaim in Decapolis, a place of both Gentiles and Jews, all that Jesus had done for him, so they all marveled.  

I marvel myself at today's story, because one is able to find so many things of value in it.  One thing we might note in today's reading is that much seems to be connected to place.  The demons beg not to be sent out of the country.  The demons don't want to leave this place; it seems they've found a home here.  The people of this area, the swine-herders, reject Jesus as a community, and plead with Him to depart from their region.   There is a kind of effect to the story that seems to suggest there is more that happens with such an occurrence than meets the eye, that the place itself may become somehow tainted by bad influence and the lack of faith that invites or accepts such influence, even rejecting Christ.  This is seen in the Old Testament Scriptures, as the land is depicted as a gift from God, and responds with fruitfulness or not depending on the people's faithfulness or rejection of God.  This seems to be especially clear in the story of the Promised Land (see Leviticus 26:3-5; Deuteronomy 11:26-28; 2 Chronicles 7:14).  In Christian tradition, home blessings remain a regular part of Orthodox Christian practice, and to sprinkle holy water in places of growing things such as gardens and agricultural produce is very common.  This author can attest to the effects I seem to have observed upon my own gardens over time.  While in a very secular modern context, we seem to treat land as something neutral, which our own plans and construction can turn into whatever we want, certainly place in the context of the Scriptures is something that is responsive in the way human life is responsive to spiritual faithfulness or the lack of it.  We've all heard stories of haunted houses, and seemingly haunted places such as battlegrounds where terrible deaths and killing have taken place, and we may take that as we might.  Nonetheless, the reality of faithfulness becomes part of the story of the Scriptures, and its effect upon the land we inhabit and cultivate.  This tells us a special story about the connectedness of all things, but not external to the centrality of God and our faith and our living of that faith.  We can picture the life in the Garden we're given of our earliest ancestors, in which all things are in communion under faithfulness to God, and the effects of sin on that peaceful and productive life.  So, for today, let us consider how "place" is not a neutral concept, but is also a part of how our lives become changed and challenged by our faithful living -- or the lack of it.  What do we tolerate and what do we want to send away from us?  Do we see people in our lives like this demon-possessed man, and what do we think forms part of the healing solution to these problems?  Do we turn to God for order out of chaos when we experience such unbalances in one way or another in any aspect of our lives?  Let us consider more than simply ourselves and our bodies within the limited concept of life that we think we inhabit and in which we practice our faith, for life is much more to us than that.  Let us observe that, according to the Scriptures, God places human beings in the world to tend and to keep the garden -- and all in it -- which God has created and given to us (Genesis 2).  We are to be like God, setting things in order and making them fruitful, learning from our faithfulness and growing in God's likeness.  But the first sin changes everything, and even the ground becomes cursed; effects on human life are shaped through that as well (Genesis 3).  So let us consider the power of faith and all the things of which life consists, for under God we are part of the whole and there is nothing left out.  Yet, even so, that interconnectedness and its state also depends upon how we live in relationship to God, not simply upon our own constructs and theories.  How do you treat a gift such as this? 

Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you

 

 Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee.  And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time.  And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs.  When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I beg You, do not torment me!"  For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.  For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.  Jesus asked him, saying, "What is your name?"  And he said, "Legion," because many demons had entered him.  And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.  

 

Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain.  So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them.  And He permitted them.  Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.  

 

When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country.  Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind.  And they were afraid.  They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed.  Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear.  And He got into the boat and returned.  Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him.  But Jesus sent him away, saying, "Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you."  And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

 

- Luke 8:26–39 

 

On Saturday, we read that Jesus taught, "No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light.  For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.  Therefore take heed how you hear.  For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him."  Then His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd.  And it was told Him by some, who said, "Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You."  But He answered and said to them, "My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it."  Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples.  And He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side of the lake."  And they launched out.  But as they sailed He fell asleep.  And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy.  And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Master, master, we are perishing!"  Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water.  And they ceased, and there was a calm.  But He said to them, "Where is your faith?"  And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, "Who can this be?  For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!"

 

  Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee.  And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time.  And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs.  When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I beg You, do not torment me!"  For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.  For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.  Jesus asked him, saying, "What is your name?"  And he said, "Legion," because many demons had entered him.  And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.  My study Bible comments that these demons recognize Jesus as the Son of the Most High God.  Notice that the demons speak through the man, saying, "I beg You, do not torment me!" when clearly this man, occupied by a legion of demons, is tormented by them himself.  A Roman legion consisted of over 5,000 men divided into ten cohorts, so we can imagine what this name "Legion" meant at the time the Gospels were written -- at a time when the Roman Empire had expanded to its largest extent.  The text describes the man's torment under this legion of demons:  it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.   His life is in such a miserable isolated state that he wore no clothes and lived among the dead in the tombs.  

Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain.  So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them.  And He permitted them.  Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.  My study Bible comments that, although the malice of these demons is great, they can do nothing against the will of God.  Therefore, they can only enter the herd of many swine if Christ permitted them.  The immediate destruction of these swine, my study Bible says, shows that the man had been protected by God's care.  Otherwise, he would have perished under the demonic influence.  Additionally, it reinforces that swineherding was not lawful for the Jews -- plus it shows the incomparable vale of human beings, whose salvation is worth every sacrifice.  There are those who say that the presence of the swine indicates a Gentile population.  But, my study Bible comments, since our Lord forbade His disciples to go to the Gentiles (Matthew 10:5) and was Himself reluctant to seek out the Gentiles (Matthew 15:24), it's likely that these were Jews engaged in a sinful occupation.  

 

When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country.  Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind.  And they were afraid.  They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed.  Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear.  And He got into the boat and returned.  Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him.  But Jesus sent him away, saying, "Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you."  And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.    My study Bible comments that the magnitude of the economic loss of the herd of swine would remain as a sign for the hard-hearted people who fled the region.  Their response is simply to treat Jesus with great fear, clearly caring more for their economic loss rather than the marvelous healing of this man who had suffered so extremely.  Note that although this man has no community among these people who simply want to banish Jesus, Christ Himself appoints a place for him, and a good mission:  "Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you."  And so he did.

Lately I have been reading a lot and pondering quite a bit over the idea of giving thanks.  How important is gratitude in our lives?  Some say that the whole of our well-being depends upon how able we are to give thanks, or not.  How do we experience gratitude, and what are we grateful for?  Is it possible that without his horrible "occupation" by a legion of demons, this man never would have known Christ?  It's very strange indeed how Christ comes straight across the Sea of Galilee, and through a very frightening storm of wind and waves in which the disciples thought they were perishing, to come to this one man.  What loneliness it must have been, living among the tombs, unable even to wear clothes, and tormented night and day by a legion of demons!  It is almost a metaphorical image of a child subject to terrible abuse, the isolation and torment that he would have survived.  Certainly the "hard-hearted" (as my study Bible describes them) people around him cared little that he was cured, finding the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind.   They had no use for him, but the swine were their livelihood (likely Jews selling to a Gentile market in this region of mixed populations), and that's what they cared about.   So this man is saved, but wants to go on with Jesus, because there is seemingly no tie for him here where people do not care for his life and salvation.  It seems they were happier when he lived among the dead and with the daily terrible punishment and torment of the demons.  But Jesus finds a place for him, an honored place -- he becomes a kind of evangelist under Christ's direction.  This is the saving nature of Christ's command, which brings this man beyond the lack of mercy of such people, and under Christ's authority,  "Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you."  So he does:  and he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.   A good mission, a good identity, under the saving yoke of Christ, who is gentle and lowly in heart.  Indeed, we may presume that sooner or later, he will come under the care of the Church to come, and remain a disciple.  Surely we can imagine the gratitude this man feels to Christ, who singled him out enough to come across the sea to save him.  But what of his early life experiences?  Perhaps to find this singular place in the Gospels, a man who had demons for a long time, and who survived to tell of the great things Jesus had done for him, the first from his region to proclaim this good news, experienced a tragic beginning.  For some of us who have survived harmful things, this may be the best story of all, and with the best outcome -- the truth of Christ's saving redemption from the callous to a life of dedication and mission and belonging, to the unique identity only He can give.  

 

Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you

 

 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.  And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains.  And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him.  And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.  When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.  And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I implore You by God that You do not torment me."  For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!"  Then He asked him, "What is your name?"  And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many."  Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. 

 

Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains.  So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them."  And at once Jesus gave them permission.  Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.  

 

So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country.  And they went out to see what it was that had happened.  Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind.  And they were afraid.  And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine.  Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.  

 

And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him.  However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you."  And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

 

- Mark 5:1–20 

 

Yesterday we read that, on the same day after preaching in parables, when evening had come, He said to the disciples, "Let us cross over to the other side."  Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was.  And other little boats were also with Him.  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.  And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"  Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!"  And the wind ceased and there was great calm.  But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful?  How is it that you have no faith?"  And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" 

 

 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.  And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains.  And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him.  And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.  The country of the Gadarenes, my study Bible explains, is in a region in Galilee with a mixed population of Gentiles and Jews.  Let us note this detailed and fairly careful description of this man whose life we can clearly say is in utter disorder.  He dwells among the tombs with the dead and not with the living.  He cannot be controlled, neither by himself nor by others who have sought to bind him often with shackles and chains.  But even these chains had been pulled apart and the shackles broken.  At the same time, no one could tame him; he is a state of chaos.  Moreover, he is self-destructive:   he is always in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.  

 

 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.  And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I implore You by God that You do not torment me."  For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!"  Then He asked him, "What is your name?"  And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many."  Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.  This Legion of demons occupying this man and making his life miserable, recognize Jesus.  They know He is the Son of the Most High God. They fear the time of judgment, and they also fear torment.  We note that the text seems to indicate that Jesus immediately sought to exorcise this man.  Moreover, even under the severe yoke of the demonic influence, the text says that this man ran and worshiped Jesus when he saw Him from afar.  The Greek word translated as worshiped literally means to fall on one's knees, to kiss the ground before another as in prostration.  But this word is often used for "worship."   In whatever sense this is used, the text seems to indicate that the man reaches to Christ, although the demons fear Him.

 

 Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains.  So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them."  And at once Jesus gave them permission.  Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.  The swine give us an indication that Jesus and the disciples are in a place with a great deal of Gentile population.   My study Bible comments that this extremely violent and self-destructive death of about two thousand swine indicates that this man had been protected by God's care.  Otherwise, he would have perished under the demonic influence.  It also reinforces the understanding that swineherding was not lawful for the Jews, and shows the incomparable value of human beings, whose salvation is worth every sacrifice.

So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country.  And they went out to see what it was that had happened.  Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind.  And they were afraid.  And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine.  Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.  This part of the text emphasizes for us that these people are likely to be Jews who are engaged in what was (for Jews) a sinful occupation:  raising swine to sell to the large Gentile population in that region.  These people make a clear choice:  they fear Jesus.  Rather than marveling at the transformational change in the man under the influence of the Legion of demons and his astonishing healing (they saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind), the only thing that makes an impact on them is the loss of their swine.  Rather than welcoming the good news and the power of Christ manifest in their midst, they to plead with Him to depart from their region.

 

 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him.  However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you."  And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.  Here is the response of the man who, while under the severe influence of a Legion of demons, ran toward Christ and worshiped Him.  He does not want to stay in this place where the status quo of his affliction was preferable to those who beg Jesus to leave.  He begs to get into the boat and become a disciple of Jesus.  But Jesus has another plan for him, another way to share the gospel of Jesus Christ:  "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you."

 

 What we need to marvel at in today's story is the thing that is completely overlooked by the people who own the swine, and that is the great transformation that takes place in the former demoniac.  This tormented man goes from being utterly disordered and impossibly unregulated, to peacefully sitting and clothed and in his right mind.  How does someone go from being so entirely out of sorts to sitting quietly and clothed and in his right mind?  This is a great transformation, an effective change made possible entirely by Christ.  In our modern world, many people -- perhaps particularly city dwellers -- are familiar with sights of homeless populations and individuals.  Many of these seem to be striking images of disordered conduct such as we read here:  clothing in tatters, rambling speech, shouting, and all manner of inability to live in what one might call conventional community, such as it is today.  But the picture we get of this man beset by a legion of demons seems to indicate one thing very clearly:  all of this disorder within him and in his life is precipitated by the influence of the demons.  While the demons plead with Christ not to torment them, what we can see is how they are indeed tormenting this man.  Why is he cutting himself on the rocks?  Why does he go about incessantly shouting?  Why is he living among the tombs -- and why can he not be clothed or even tamed so that when he is, by contrast, simply "sitting" it is a revelation of good order?  This clear contrast between the chaos of his demoniac life and his finally peaceful state through the power of Christ teaches us about the demons and what they do.  They respect no boundaries whatsoever, neither those that one considers "should" be proper to them, nor the boundaries of this poor, unfortunate man who must live in the midst of a legion of them.  He is their victim, a sort of scapegoat upon which they all parasitically rest and derive whatever it is that the demonic receives from people they afflict.  The demons are bullies; this man is in a sense swamped by them and unable to fend them off alone.  In short, Christ comes into this picture as Liberator, and He is a Liberator and Deliverer of a particular kind.  Only He makes it possible for these demons, trespassing where they don't belong, and creating misery for the man, to be evacuated and routed out.  As my study Bible points out, we can see how terrifyingly destructive they are in this almost savage scene of the swine rushing down the steep place to their deaths in the sea.  It might help here to remember that in Scripture, cliffs can symbolize the perilous nature of sin.  But all of this is lost on the people who simply respond with fear to Jesus.  There is no faith in them.  They care only for the swine which they have lost, and Jesus the Son of the Most High God is not welcome in their world.  Christ's effect is too frighteningly "other" for them, outside of their norm, and beyond their entirely worldly set of values, where even this man who was lost and is healed seems to mean nothing to them.  Let us also look at the bigger picture, and recall that Jesus has set sail with the disciples across a frighteningly stormy Sea of Galilee, seemingly just to come to this place.  Here, He has found one man desperately in need of His saving power, and Jesus in turn sends the healed man home to the Decapolis (meaning "ten cities" in Greek, a region of great Roman and Greek cultural influence), to proclaim great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.  Note that in contrast to the vicious world of the demons, Christ's powerful victory is not one of conquest and suffering, but one in which the demons are allowed to go where they want to into the herd of swine, and this man is liberated from his captivity -- especially through the compassion of Christ.  On the one hand, modern readers may feel sorry for the swine.  But on the other hand, they are simply the property of those for whom their sale and slaughter will bring profit, and who care absolutely nothing for the welfare of an afflicted human being.  In this reading, then, we have the contrast of what we might call two kingdoms, one of the demons, and the other the kingdom of God, which Jesus bears into the world, as will the apostles (Luke 10:9).  Let us remember the great good news of the healed man, and the message of the Lord's compassion.

What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?

 

 Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee.  And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time.  And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs.  When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I beg You, do not torment me!"  For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.  For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was drive by the demon into the wilderness.  Jesus asked him, saying, "What is your name?"  And he said, "Legion," because many demons had entered him.  And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.  Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain.  So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them.  And He permitted them.  Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.  

 

When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country.  Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind.  And they were afraid.  They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed.  Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear.  And He got into the boat and returned.  Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him.  But Jesus sent him away, saying, "Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you."  And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

 

- Luke 8:26–39 

 

On Monday, we read that Jesus taught, "No one, when he has lit lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light.  For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.  Therefore take heed how you hear.  For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him."  Then His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd.  And it was told Him by some, who said, "Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You."  But He answered  and said to them, "My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it."  Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples.  And He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side of the lake."  And they launched out.  But as they sailed He fell asleep.  And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy.  And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!"  Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water.  And they ceased, and there was a calm.  But He said to them, "Where is your faith?"  And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, "Who can this be?  For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!" 

 

  Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee.  And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time.  And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs.  When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I beg You, do not torment me!"  For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.  For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was drive by the demon into the wilderness.  Jesus asked him, saying, "What is your name?"  And he said, "Legion," because many demons had entered him.  And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.    My study bible comments that the demons recognize Jesus as the Son of the Most High God.  It says that although the malice of the demons is great, they can do nothing against the will of God.  Therefore, begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss, the place of total abolition or destruction of being.  Additionally, they may only enter the swine because Christ permitted them. 

 

Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain.  So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them.  And He permitted them.  Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned. My study bible comments that the immediate destruction of the herd shows that the man had been protected by God's care -- otherwise he would have perished under this destructive demonic influence.  It adds that some teach that the presence of swine indicates Gentile population.  However, since Christ forbade His disciples to go to the Gentiles (Matthew 10:5), and was also reluctant Himself to seek out the Gentiles (Matthew 15:24), these swineherders are more likely to be Jews engaged in a sinful occupation.  The destruction of the swine reveals that although animals are a venerable part of creation, human beings are of far great value.  Christ also removes a source of sin, as swine herding was an abomination to the Jews (Deuteronomy 14:8).

When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country.  Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind.  And they were afraid.  They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed.  Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear.  And He got into the boat and returned.  The magnitude of their economic loss will remain as a sign for these people who fled and who are afraid because of the miraculous recovery of the formerly demon-possessed man.  They show their hardheartedness in their failure to rejoice over his recovery, but instead they beg Jesus to depart from them.

 

Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him.  But Jesus sent him away, saying, "Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you."  And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.  Let us note the healing and recovery of this man, who himself is given a great role to play in the salvation story of Christ.  He became an evangelist, as he proclaimed the good news of the great things Jesus had done for him.

This is one of my favorite stories in the Gospels.  I am intrigued by this hopeless man lost among the tombs, living among the dead, because he's not fit for civilization in the cities and towns.   In the grip of the demons, he's uncontrollable, constantly abusing and hurting himself, unable even to stay clothed.  For some of us, it is a reminder of facets of homelessness and mental illness among our own homeless populations.  But this stark picture in the Gospels of someone so lost and forsaken is hard to shake in spiritual terms.  One of the most striking aspects of the story is how Christ directed the apostles to set out overnight across the Sea of Galilee, through a terribly frightening storm, just to come to this particular forsaken place.  It's as if Jesus directed the disciples to pilot here specifically to save this man, or possibly to rebuke and destroy this hostel for a legion of demons.  The place is also forsaken as a home to Jews who raise swine, and who care so much more for their money-producing swine (to sell to Gentiles in this region) than for the holy healing action of Christ.  In this sense, Jesus is the picture of a type of warrior who goes abroad not with a sword and armaments, but with the spiritual power to reclaim territory for children of God who are occupied, abused, and subject to terrible tortures by a hostile enemy invader army.  This is a picture of a spiritual liberator, who comes to banish a cruelly uncivilized legion from those who would simply be at peace.  We can see the gratitude of the healed man, and his essential good character that it reflects.  Plus he clearly wants to come to be with Jesus.  But Jesus has a better assignment for him:  to spread the good news of God's work in him to his fellow townspeople, an evangelist and witness giving testimony.  Christ's saving work isn't just about the eternal life in the sense of what comes after life in this world; in this story it is a clear story about salvation and Resurrection impacting life as we live it in our present lives day to day, about bringing life to those in the tombs of this world who are lost or forsaken, seemingly hopeless, given up by others.  This is about the impact of Christ's abundant life that restores here and now and in the present, no matter what the problems are, and it is about being released from affliction that destroys on any level of the human soul.  The saving power of Christ works to protect and to heal; it's not an abstract and not a philosophy.  I always take this story to heart because there is more to find in it each time it is read and thought about.  The good news isn't just about what Christ said, it is about life and how it is lived and experienced, and witness testimony to the good things God has done -- for you, for me, for anybody who can testify about life as it is lived. 

What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?

Healing of the Demon Possessed (Mark 5), Ottheinrich Bible, 1425-30. Bavarian State Library, Munich, Germany

 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.  And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains.  And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him.  And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.  When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.  And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I implore You by God that You do not torment me."  For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!"  Then He asked him, "What is your name?"  And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many."  Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.  Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains.  So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them."  And at once Jesus gave them permission.  Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.

So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country.  And they went out to see what it was that had happened.  Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind.  And they were afraid.  And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine.  Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.  And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him.  However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you."  And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

- Mark 5:1-20

Yesterday we read that, on the same day Jesus had been preaching in parables, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side."  Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was.  And other little boats were also with Him.  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.  And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"  Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!"  And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.  But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful?  How is it that you have no faith?"  And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"

 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.  Today's reading takes place across the Sea of Galilee, outside of the familiar territory of Jesus' disciples and His ministry.  This is still in Galilee, however, my study bible says, and it is a place where there are many Gentiles mixed midst with the Jewish population.

And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains.  And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him.  And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.  The description of the plight of this man is always striking in my view.  He lives among the tombs, far away from life and community and a civilized kind of existence.  No one can bind him, or bring order to his life, although he has often been bound with shackles and chains.  Let us note the details of his life:  night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.

 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.  And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I implore You by God that You do not torment me."  For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!"  Then He asked him, "What is your name?"  And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many."  The demons, according to my study bible, are surprised that their power is being terminated before the time of the last judgment (see Matthew 8:29).  We note the slavish understanding of these demons; while they use their power to torment and destroy this man, they fear only torment from Jesus.

Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.  Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains.  So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them."  And at once Jesus gave them permission.  Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.   Many feel that this takes place in Gentile territory, due to the swine being raised in this area.  But still others comment that it indicates apostate Jews who raise swine for money, against the precepts of the Law (Deuteronomy 14:8), as lucrative commodity to sell to the Gentile population.  Living among Gentiles, they have taken on Gentile practices.  The demons essentially beg for mercy, which Christ grants them; but the swine are not protected by God in the same way that the tormented demoniac was, and the demons destroy them.

So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country.  And they went out to see what it was that had happened.  Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind.  And they were afraid.  And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine.  Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.  And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him.  However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you."  And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.  Two different directions are apparent here.  In the first, those who were raising the swine see this formerly demon-possessed man, sitting and clothed and in his right mind, and it means nothing to them.  They care far more for the loss of their swine, and so they respond with fear and plead with Jesus to depart from their region.  And on the other hand, there is the healed man, who wishes only to get into the boat and go with Jesus, and begged Him that he might be with Him.  But instead, with his faith and his experience of healing, Jesus sends him out as a type of early evangelist and apostle, clearly preparing the way for the future Church:  "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you."

One commentary on this story reminds us of Jesus' own journey to come, and how it is reflected in some way in today's reading.  St. Peter Chrysologus, a 5th century bishop known for his homilies, preached, "Behold where is he, who was promised all the glories of this world, found to dwell—where?—in the tombs! Compassed about with the putrid rottenness of dead bodies"  (Sermons 17).  In a certain sense, this man oppressed and driven mad by the demons dwells where Christ brings life, in the tombs.  It tells us about how infinitely and inexhaustibly resilient the human soul is, for even under such conditions, and apparently for a great length of time, he is still capable of running to Christ and recognizing his need of Him.  It also tells us about Jesus' mission, that it is indeed "to the ends of the earth" in this sense of coming to this forsaken place and this forsaken person, left to dwell wild among the tombs with no sense of life nor community nor hope -- until Jesus comes.  Let us also note how Christ Himself aims his journey directly toward this man on this foreign shore of the Sea of Galilee, and remember the storm through which the disciples have passed to get here.   All of this indicates it is deliberate, with Jesus' mission being to redeem this man, despite his circumstances, his history, and the place where he has lived and those among whom he has dwelt.  Nothing is hopeless.  This is our message.  The glory of humanity -- made in the image of God -- remains visible to our Creator, who seeks only to redeem those who still retain the capacity (however elusive) to desire that redemption.  In the light of this story, one must consider that Christ will Himself go into the tomb in order to secure this great depth of hope -- even among death -- for all of humanity, and not only for this poor and oppressed demoniac.  If the actions and conditions of the demoniac resemble what might seem modern-day sights of homelessness and those in need of mental health care, let us not lose sight of the message that "with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26).  Speaking from this place, we may indeed consider that it makes little difference whether we are speaking of this abandoned man in the tombs or a wealthy man living in a palace and bound to wealth (as in Matthew 19).  There is always hope, for God has created us so, and Christ has come into the world to teach us so.  The one thing that can keep us from the love of Christ is our continued rejection of such love -- and even then, the depths of the human heart are not even fully known to ourselves, but only to God.  Let us consider the boundless hope expressed in today's reading, the infinite chances we have for redemption, how nothing is lost to God that is given to Christ (John 6:39).   Through all things, let us always remember that it is the slimmest of chances on which Christ stakes His ministry and bets on us, His effort for all of us.  It gives us the great message that we must never give up hope at any time, even against a sea of troubles or a legion of enemies.  There might be times when we also feel like asking, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?"  And the correct answer is, "Everything."

Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you

 Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee.  And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time.  And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a  house but in the tombs.  When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I beg You, do not torment me!"  For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.  For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.  Jesus asked him, saying, "What is your name?"  And he said, "Legion," because many demons had entered him.  And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.  Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain.  So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them.  And He permitted them.  Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.

When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country.  Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind.  And they were afraid.  They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed.  Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear.  And he got into the boat and returned.  Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him.  But Jesus sent him away, saying, "Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you."  And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

- Luke 8:26-39

In yesterday's reading, Jesus taught, "No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light.  For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.  Therefore take heed how you hear.  For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him."  Then His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd.  And it was told Him by some, who said, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You."  But He answered them and said to them, "My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it."  Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples.  And He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side of the lake."  And they launched out.  But as they sailed He fell asleep.  And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy.  And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!"  Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water.  And they ceased, and there was a calm.  But He said to them, "Where is your faith?"  And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, "Who can this be?  For he commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!"

Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee.  And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time.  And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a  house but in the tombs.  When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I beg You, do not torment me!"  For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.  For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.  After a terrifying storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus and the disciples come to the other side of the Sea.  Here they encounter something strange indeed:  a man who cannot live among men, but lives among the tombs.  He wears no clothing.  He is taken so far outside the commerce of "civilized" life by the occupation of the demons that he's kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles, and driven into the wilderness.  He is a prisoner indeed, afflicted into a state of utmost misery.  But the demons understand who Jesus is, and the Judgment He represents.  Jesus uses His power to command the departure of the demons from the man, and arrives as Deliverer -- a key meaning of the word Savior.

Jesus asked him, saying, "What is your name?"  And he said, "Legion," because many demons had entered him.  And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.  Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain.  So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them.  And He permitted them.  Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.  A legion of  the Roman Army at around the time of Christ was about 5,000 men.  It was the largest unit of the Roman Army.  So the elements of "occupation" by a hostile power figure very strongly here.  My study bible says that while some teach that this region across the Sea of Galilee must have been a Gentile region, as evidenced by the presence of the swine, it's more likely that the text is teaching us this is a region where Jews are engaging in what was considered a sinful occupation.  Jesus would forbid His disciples to go to the Gentiles on their first apostolic mission  (Matthew 10:5), and was reluctant to seek out Gentiles Himself (Matthew 15:24).  The destruction of the entire herd of swine suggests several things, according to my study bible.  First, that while animals are a venerable part of creation, human beings are of far more value.  Second, Christ removes a source of sin, as swine herding was an abomination to the Jews (Deuteronomy 14:8).  Additionally, the text teaches us that demons have no power over creation, but are rather subject to the will of God -- they could only enter the swine at Christ's command.  Clearly it is Jesus who has the power in this spiritual realm.  He is the "stronger man" who can bind this hostile force (Mark 3:27).  Human beings are protected under God's providence, otherwise the demon-possessed man would have come to the same end as the swine.  Finally, their great economic loss would remain as a sign for the hardhearted people who fled the region (see the following verses). 


When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country.  Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind.  And they were afraid.  They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed.  Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear.  And he got into the boat and returned.  Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him.  But Jesus sent him away, saying, "Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you."  And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.  These apostate Jews who were raising the swine care only for their economic loss.   Although the miraculous healing of this man, who is now clothed and in his right mind, and peacefully sitting at the feet of Jesus must have made an impression, this is not a priority for the people of the region.  When they find how Jesus healed the man, they respond with great fear.  They ask Jesus to depart from them.  But the healed man is ready to proclaim the good news of His Savior, and what great things Jesus had done for him.  

This story tells us so many things.  I always find new things to see in it whenever it comes up.  It's rather striking to us that although the man wants to come with Jesus and the disciples, Jesus has other plans for him.  We may wonder why this is so, considering the hostile environment that perhaps only served as a "welcoming place" for the legion of demons that had afflicted him.  The people are entirely hostile to Christ and His mission.  They don't care at all about the healing of this man, and are rather more saddened and disturbed by the loss of the swine.  They simply respond with fear to Christ's effect on their environment, and ask Him to leave the region.  But Christ's desire for this healed man is to be a kind of light among the darkness.  He will go on to proclaim to others what great things Christ has done for him.  He will be a witness, he will testify.  He will be a sign of the presence of the Kingdom in a dark world, the great changes wrought in him and for his life being evident to all.  What Jesus does is send the man out, back into this place where people apparently prefer a kind of darkness, in order to cling to his truth.  He bears witness to the truth of Christ, to the healing that has happened to him, to the great things Jesus has done for him.  In so doing, he bears a light into the darkness, and his mission -- as given by Jesus -- is simply to continue proclaiming and clinging to that light and bearing it for others.  This, we suspect, is yet another aspect of his healing.  We can see parallels to the terrible imprisonment of this man in modern afflictions of the world.  It bears resemblance to addiction of all kinds and forms, or people who may find themselves stuck in an abusive situation, community, or family.  When we are healed or helped by Christ to be "liberated" from any form of bondage, it's essential that we cling to the truth of that liberation and healing.  When we return to our own environments, we'll still need the strength of Christ's truth and grace to remain in the place He's put us, to remain within the new life He gives.  And we may need to cling to His truth and light to deal with those who don't value our lives in a healthy state.  This remains true for those in recovery of any kind, regardless of the affliction or problems one may describe.  Christ takes this man back into his home town as a changed person, with a new life to live, an experience to tell and teach to others.  He'll need to proclaim and live the "good news" in order to live that new life he's been given.  So we should remember and cherish and live all the good things the Lord has done for us, proclaiming them for ourselves.