Intro: Do you connect evil and demonic influence with the freedom of choice? According to Scripture, we choose what can enter our lives (James 4:7). For example, many people think consulting a tarot card reader, psychic reading, or participating in a séance is harmless, but is it? Curiosity about the power of evil [darkness] is dangerous, because it blindly leads people into empowering evil and destruction. Do not choose to open that door. To gain greater understanding about our lives, we simply need to go to our Creator who will always guide us into the truth.
In our passage today, Jesus and his disciples find themselves confronted by a demon-possessed man; actually he has many demons who have taken dominion of him. The man runs to Jesus and bows; the demons immediately acquiesce to the authority of Christ. Jesus saves this man’s life and you would think the people would be so grateful for the restoration of this man, but instead they are more concerned with their loss of the pigs which reveals the darkness of their hearts, as well. The freedom of choice to pursue an attitude of greed is inviting darkness to have dominion. The freedom of choice to value financial security over spiritual security is the manifestation of darkness. The pigs are considered unclean, but obviously the people are, as well. Otherwise, they would have welcome the cleansing work of Jesus.
Mark 5:1-10 NLT Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man
5 So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. 4 Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.
6 When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. 7 With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!”
8 For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.”
9 Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?”
And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.” 10 Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place.
11 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. 12 “Send us into those pigs,” the spirits begged. “Let us enter them.”
13 So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.
14 The herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. 15 A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. 16 Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. 17 And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.
18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. 19 But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for protecting and delivering us from evil. We know Satan has no control unless we open the door for him. So, please keep us focused on the Light of your amazing presence and continue to make us hungry for righteousness. When we are concerned about our future, help us to trust you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.