Response Required...

OSS: [Devotional with evangelistic undertone] {I want the hearers to respond to the power of Jesus, the Son of God, by letting Him display His power in thier personal lives.}

PQ:

What are the different responses to the power and presence of Jesus in this text?

UW: Responses

Intro.: [AGS]: Do you realize that every person will respond to Jesus? A response is required. Philippians 2:9-11 records what the final response to Jesus will be. Every creature, both in Heaven and on the earth will confess Jesus as Lord. Does this mean that all will be saved? No. Yet, when time is done, one truth will remain: Jesus is Lord. [TS]: Jesus, the Son of God, is recorded in this instance of casting out demons from a man who had been oppressed by them for quite some time. A common theme occurs throughout Scripture, Jesus demonstrated the power and ability to do what no human power could do. Thus, Jesus demonstrated His power over all, even over demonic forces. [RS]: Recorded in the text are many responses— which begs the obvious question: What is your response?

Note: The sermon is formulated around the grammatical significance of the word παρακαλέω occurring four times throughout (10, 12, 17, 18). Each time the word occurs, a response is cued. The word is translated in most English translations as “beg” — it can also mean to implore or to appeal to.

TS: Let us examine the different responses to Jesus recorded in the text now:

The response of the demons. [vv. 1-13]

The demons here are called unclean spirits.

Impact of the demons on the man: The demons had caused the man to have unusual strength, prohibiting his being bound by shackles or chains; additionally, they caused the man to do unusual things, living among the tombs, crying out, and cutting himself with stones.

Notice the initial encounter between the man and Jesus:

Seeing Jesus from afar, the man knelt down and cried out to him. This was an acknowledgment of power, not worship. [1]

The question is of utmost importance, being asked from demons, also, in Mk. 1:23-24.

Yet, of more importance is the demons’ confession of who Christ is— “Jesus, Son of the Most High God”

This question and confession is in response to Jesus having told them (past tense) — “come out of the man, you unclean spirit!”

The interaction between them— the demons revealed how many they were— legion = 6,000

The response of the demons is recorded in verses 10-13:

“And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the region.” Lk. 8:31 — “31 And they begged him not to banish them to the abyss.” — is more specific and descriptive in its record of this. Akin commented, “In a microcosm of the battle between good and evil, Jesus gives a preview of the fate of Satan and his demons. The demons, through the voice of the man, keep begging Jesus not to send them out of the region. The tormentor is now the tormented as he contemplates his destiny...” [2]

Next, the response of the demons is to bargain with Jesus: Send us to the pigs…

Bring it home: The demons responded to Jesus acknowledging His authority and submitting to His instruction.

The response of the herdsmen and townsmen. [vv. 14-17]

Notice the unfolding of events following Jesus’ casting out the demons:

The herdsmen immediately ran off and reported it to those in the town and countryside.

The townsmen went to see what happened.

The witnessed the results of the power of Jesus— the demoniac healed, dressed, sitting there in his right mind.

They, both the herdsmen and townsmen, were afraid. This is similar to the disciples in the story preceding this one, Mk. 4:35-41. “And they were terrified...” (v. 41)

They were afraid of such power personally

They were afraid of such power economically (how it would impact their livestock, living, etc.)

“Ironically, the people were more afraid of the one who cast our demons than they were of the demoniac.” [3]

Motivated by fear, they began to beg Jesus to leave their region. What a tragedy! Knowing the rest of the story, we know that Jesus honored their request and left.

“The saddest thing in the whole story is that Jesus granted their request, and left them. There are times when the worst possible thing for us is that the Lord should grant our prayer (Ps. 106:14-15 “14 They were seized with craving in the wilderness and tested God in the desert. 15 He gave them what they asked for, but sent a wasting disease among them.” The Gerasenes wanted only to be left alone by this frightening supernatural Jesus. It was to be their judgment that Jesus did leave them, to return no more, for there is no evidence, in Mark at least, for any later ministry by Jesus in this area.” [4]

How sad it is that we often are the same as the herdsmen and townsmen:

We hear what Jesus has done, but instead of inviting more of Jesus, we invite more sin and less of Jesus instead of more Jesus and less sin.

Often times:

We hear of Jesus demonstrating His power in someone else’s life, and we stay as far away as we can.

Their marriage is restored; Ours is on life support

Their addiction is broken; Ours is still full-fledge

Their life is changing; Ours is still stagnant (Spiritually)

Etc.

Bring it home: The herdsmen and townsmen responded to Jesus by begging Him to leave.

The response of the healed man. [vv. 18-20]

Notice the first response of the man who had been demon-possessed:

He begged Jesus earnestly to let him stay with Him.

When we experience the power of God firsthand, we will not want to ever leave the presence of God. We will always want to experience and remain close to that power.

Notice the response of Jesus:

He did not grant the request of the healed man.

He instructed him to go tell others “how much the Lord has done for you and how he has had mercy on you.”

Doesn’t this seem a little unfair of Jesus to grant the request of the herdsmen and townsmen but deny the request of the healed man? The purpose:

Continuity of ministry. Jesus knew he couldn’t stay and preach there; Jesus knew this man could and would.

Doesn’t it also seem odd that in Mk. 1:44 Jesus instructed the healed leper to tell no one and here he tells this man to tell everyone? The purpose:

There were crowds coming to Jesus for healing in the region of the leper— they had heard about Jesus and were coming, there was “no need to spread the news any further...” [5]

This calling would not have been one of ease. It would have been lonely and likely difficult— the people were likely not receptive, at least by their response at first. He would have been a minority.

Yet, notice the second response of the healed man:

“So he went out and began to proclaim in the Dacapolis how much Jesus had done for him...”

Bring it home: The man ultimately went about proclaiming what Jesus had done for him.

What is your response today?

If Jesus came to your house To spend some time with you, If He came unexpected, I wonder what you'd do.// Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room To such an honored guest And all the food you'd give to Him Would be the very best.// And you would keep assuring Him You're glad to have Him there— That serving Him in your home Is joy beyond compare.// But when you saw Him coming, Would you meet Him at the door With arms outstretched in welcome To your heavenly visitor?// Or would you have to change your clothes Before you let Him in Or hide some magazines And put the Bible where they'd been?// Would you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out? Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about?// And I wonder—if the Savior spent a day or two with you, Would you go right on doing, the things you always do?// Would you go right on saying, the things you always say? Or would life for you continue as it does from day to day?// Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you go? Or would you maybe change your plans for just a day or so?// Would you be glad to have Him meet your closest friends? Or would you hope they stay away, until His visit ends?// Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on? Or would you sigh with great relief when He at last was gone?// It might be interesting to know, the things that you would do, If Jesus came in person, to spend some time with you.///

(Lois Blanchard Eades)

Response Questions:

[1] How have you responded to the power and presence of Jesus in your life?

[2] What hinders you from letting Jesus demonstrate His power in your own life?

[3] Who will you tell about what Jesus has done in your life?

Bibliography:

[1] Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in Mark, ed. Daniel L. Akin, David Platt, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2014), 105.

[2] Akin, 106.

[3] Ross H. McLaren, “Mark,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1567.

[4] R. Alan Cole, Mark: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 2, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1989), 162.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader, vol. 1 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997).

[7] Marvin Richardson Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. 1 (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887).

[8] Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament: Matthew & Mark, ed. Robert Frew (London: Blackie & Son, 1884–1885).

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