On 3.21.2010 our congregation studied Mark 5:1-20 about the demoniac of Gerasenes. We observed four movements in the narrative. First, this was a most miserable man. Probably some of the darkest descriptive words of Scripture is that “he lived among the tombs!” Alive, but living with the dead. Violent beyond explanation. He could wrench chains and shackles apart. Tragically though, he could not break the chains that bound him and tortured him the most! He couldn’t break free from the powers of darkness. He was so out of his mind that he cried day and night. He longed to be free to the point that he bruised himself with stones. He was slowly losing his mind, his body, his soul, and his life!

Second, Jesus was his only hope! Then Jesus came along and the story really explodes now! Jesus enters into dialogue with the host of demons inside this man. He grants their request and sends them into a herd of 2,000 pigs! Imagine if you were a disciple. You see a whole herd of pigs jump as if to attention, they began to squeal frantically, and run in harmony towards the cliff! The dust rises from their scurried huffs and the water crashes from their falling, drowning bodies. Then when the dust and water settle, the disciples turn to see the most amazing sight of the day - the man is now calm, at peace, and in his right mind!

Third, the response of the townspeople is shocking! They beg Jesus to leave, and he does. Caution - be careful what you ask of Jesus, he just may answer! When Jesus’ boat drifted away from that shore, so did their only hope! Why did they ask him to leave? Did they think he was a magician? Were they upset because of their loss of the herd? I believe it was something else. Remember why the disciples were so frightened earlier in Mark? Because they realized that in the presence of Jesus, they were in the presence of God! I believe these people realized they were in the presence of a power they were not able to comprehend because they had bound this man themselves! If Jesus could do this, what else would he do when he got into town? Whatever it was, they did not want it!