Mark 5:1-201And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. 2And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: 4Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. 5And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. 6But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, 7And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. 8For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. 9And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. 10And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. 11Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. 12And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. 13And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea. 14And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. 15And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. 16And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. 17And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. 18And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. 19Howbeit 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. 20And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel. (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. 2:2626And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2 Timothy 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