Life of Christ # 29: The Herd of Swine/ The Demoniac Man

Mark 5:1–20 KJV 1900

1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: 4 Because 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. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. 6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, 7 And 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. 8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. 9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. 10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. 11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. 12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. 13 And 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. 14 And 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. 15 And 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. 16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. 17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. 18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. 19 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. 20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

I. An eerie event. v.1

A. At night,

B. On the seashore-among the tombs.

II. Scene 1: A man hopelessly possessed without Jesus. v.2-5

Galatians 5:19–21 KJV 1900

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

A. He had an evil spirit.

B. He lived among the tombs. John 3:19

John 3:19 KJV 1900

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

C. He was cut off from society. Eph. 2:2-3

Ephesians 2:2–3 KJV 1900

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

D. He was uncontrollable, unrestrained, untamed, wild, mad, violent tempered. Rom. 1:29-32

Romans 1:29–32 KJV 1900

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

E. He was naked, v. 15, Romans 13:14

Romans 13:14 KJV 1900

14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

F. He was always inflicting wounds upon himself. Rom. 3:10-18

III Scene 2: A man desperately acknowledging the Son of God. v.6-7

A. He worshipped Jesus.

James 2:19 KJV 1900

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

B. He acknowledged the deity of Jesus.

C. He begged not to be tormented. Mt. 25:41

Matthew 25:41 KJV 1900

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

IV. Scene 3: A man miraculously cleansed by the authority of Jesus. v.8-13

A. Jesus spoke the word of power, v.8

B. Jesus showed the man's great need. Mt. 19:26

Matthew 19:26 KJV 1900

26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

C. Jesus showed the nature of evil spirits.

1. Were subject to Christ.

2. Desired a body to indwell and influence.

3. We malicious and violent - destroyers.

V. Scene 4: A people callously rejected Jesus - by begging Him to leave their presence.

v.14-17

A. A logical action: Ran to tell.

B. A logical investigation: Came to Jesus.

C. A logical account: told of the healings and also of the pigs.

D. An illogical request: asked Jesus to leave.

E. A tragic end: He left. Matthew 16:26, Matt. 10:33

Matthew 16:26 KJV 1900

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Matthew 10:33 KJV 1900

33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

VI. Scene 5: A man deliberately commissioned by Jesus. v.18-20

1 Timothy 3:4–5 KJV 1900

4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

1 Timothy 5:8 KJV 1900

8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

A. He requested discipleship.

B. He was sent to be a disciple at home.

C. He was faithful.

D. He was successful.