DEVIL-MADE CRAZY

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet Him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. (Mark 5:1-5).

It seems that Jesus was on an assignment from the Father when He and His disciples set off across the lake. Was the storm devil-induced or was it just a natural phenomenon that happened when they were en route to the region of the Gerasenes? I am inclined to believe that it was the latter. Jesus and His disciples were part of the natural world. A storm could blow up any time as it often did. Why attribute to the devil what happened all the time?

On their arrival, they were met by a mad-man. They did not need to seek him out. He came to them. Was he drawn to Jesus in spite of the demonic inhabitants inside him? Not even the demons could resist Jesus even though they knew who He was and were hostile to Him. It was like that with Jesus. He drew people like iron filings to a magnet.

Mark took pains to describe the condition of the man. He was the local villain. People had long since given up trying to tame him. Not even chains and shackles could restrain his crazy and often violent behaviour. They left him alone in his wild misery and stayed away from the graveyard and the surrounding hills where he roamed. I can imagine how the children would taunt him from afar and run away when he raged against him.

This man was an example of Satan’s ownership. Wild, violent, tormented and suicidal. In his suffering he could not even destroy himself. All he could do was to inflict pain on himself continually. What did he look like? Filthy, unwashed, bloodied and scarred! I can imagine his body covered with infected sores where he had gashed himself with any sharp stone he could find. His screams would have echoed around the hills, striking terror into the hearts of the people.

How did he manage to stay alive? Did his family take pity on him and leave food for him each day? Was he sane enough to find it and eat it to keep himself alive? He was the picture of hopelessness, trapped in a situation of his own making and unable to release himself from his bondage and suffering.

Gentile thought he was, Jesus knew about him – no doubt prompted by the Holy Spirit – and went on a mission to rescue him. Mercy in action! No questions asked!

When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of Him. He shouted on the top of his voice, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!’

For Jesus had said to him, ‘Come out of the man, you impure spirit!’ (Mark 5: 6-8).

Notice the interaction between the Son of God and the invading spirits from the dominion of darkness. Jesus did not waste His time trying to find out who they were or how they got there. That’s how it is with Jesus. He is more concerned about healing the sufferer than the reason for his suffering. He was pure authority and the demons knew it. They bowed to Jesus. They knew who He was. They knew their place. They did not resist Him. They could not.

Then Jesus asked him, ‘What is your name?’ ‘My name is Legion,’ he replied, ‘for we are many.’ And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demon begged Jesus, ‘Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.’ He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned (Mark 5: 9-13).

What’s in a name? There was an important reason for asking the man his name. His name was who he was. He had to acknowledge who he was – a man possessed by a devilish nature, full of uncleanness. His confession was his key to freedom.

Pigs were a fitting place for them to go – unclean animals according to the Law. But even the pigs could not tolerate their presence. The demons turned them crazy and they fled down the steep bank into the lake. What a sight – two thousand bloated carcasses floating in the lake! That’s what the devil does – turns life into death!

Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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