Mark 5:1-20
“AND WHEN HE was come out of the ship, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains.”
Dwelling in a scene of death — himself naked and unclean — his spirit uncontrollable — what a picture of a lost sinner who, without hope and afar off from God, lives in this world of death and sin, unable to control or improve his own sinful nature.
There had been many an effort to tame this man, even with chains and fetters, but he broke them all asunder — a type, we may be sure, of the hopeless restraint of the law and commandments on our old natures. Like the man in our story, many an earnest soul, well aware of his distance from God, knows the bitterness of crying and making every effort to improve his behavior, but finds it useless and he cannot by any of these means diver himself. Such a one may not be aware that he is actually a captive of Satan, but such is the case, for we are told that if we oppose the truth of God, we are in “the snare of the devil... taken captive by him at his will.” 2 Tim. 2:26.
The indwelling demons dread to hear the judgment of the Lord and plead to be sent into a herd of swine nearby. The swine, terrified by this infestation, dash in panic into the sea and perish. But what a change now takes place in this one who before was wild and unmanageable! For we next find him sitting, clothed, and in his right mind, at the feet of the blessed Saviour who had mercifully freed him.
Have you too found this deliverance from your sins and Satan’s power? Alas, what unending efforts are often made by those aware of their lost, guilty condition, before they put faith in the Savor’s work on Calvary, who died that He might bear their sins for them. Troubled soul, seek no longer to improve yourself with chains and fetters — resolutions, efforts to keep the commandments, promises, crying, and the like. These are of no avail to our old sinful nature. The cry is “look and live” — look to that precious Saviour who alone can free you. Then you too will find that wondrous deliverance and, clothed with the robe of righteousness, will also delight to sit at His feet.
Those who witnessed the remarkable event were more concerned about the loss of their swine than the salvation of the man and they bid Jesus depart out of their country. It is equally true today that the world is much too concerned about its business and pleasures to find any delight in the salvation of precious souls. It is solemn to see that the Lord does not force Himself on them and leaves at their request.
There was a natural desire of this man, freed from his long burden, to accompany Jesus and be ever with Him. “Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.” When the Lord’s instructions were obeyed, great blessing resulted and we may be confident it brought great joy to the saved man’s soul to be so used of God.
Perhaps the Lord has given a similar message to you, dear Christian friend. Have you answered to it? We do not know when we will go to be with the One who saved us, but meanwhile we can serve Him in faithful testimony, to His glory and our own happiness.
ML-07/14/1963