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The Man Jesus Met in the Country of the Gadarenes His name: Legion Roman military unit of 6,000 was a “legion” Here likely means “many” (Luke 8:30; Mark 5:9) His problem: Possessed by great number of demons Demons were evil spirits under Satan’s control
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The Man Jesus Met in the Country of the Gadarenes • His name: Legion • Roman military unit of 6,000 was a “legion” • Here likely means “many” (Luke 8:30; Mark 5:9) • His problem: Possessed by great number of demons • Demons were evil spirits under Satan’s control • They took possession of people to control and torment them • God allowed them to have a limited freedom on the earth in those days that His Son’s power over evil might be shown to be complete (Matt. 12:28-29; Luke 10:17-18) • When the age of the miraculous ended, demonic possession ended as well (Zech. 13:2; 1 Cor. 12:7-11 + 13:8-13)
The Man Jesus Met in the Country of the Gadarenes • His condition: Really bad shape • He had many demons for a long time (Luke 8:27, 30) • He had lost the use of his mind (Mark 5:15); wild and fierce (Mt. 8:28) • He lived in the burial tombs (Mark 5:3); driven by the demon (Lk. 8:29) • He terrorized those who were about him or got near him (Matt. 8:28) • He harmed himself, cutting with stones (Mark 5:5) • He had often been seized, chained and kept under guard (Luke 8:29) • He was unnaturally powerful, could break shackles & chains (Mk. 5:4) • No one could tame him, for their safety or his (Mark 5:4) • He was constantly crying out in the mountains like a beast (Mark 5:5) • He was naked (Luke 8:27) • Until Christ appeared, his situation seemed hopeless
The Demons’ Reaction to Jesus • “Ran and worshiped Him” (Mk. 5:6) – the man or the demons? • “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me” (Mk. 5:7) • The demons had faith & confessed their faith (cf. Jas. 2:19) • The demons believed in the reality of judgment and torment • Had a more knowledge & faith than most people today • They pleaded with Jesus: • “Do not torment me” (Mark 5:7), “before the time” (Matt. 8:29) • “Not send them out of the country” (Mark 5:10) • “Not command to go out into the abyss (bottomless pit)” (Luke 8:31) • “Permit us to go away into the herd of swine” (Matt. 8:31; Luke 8:32) • They recognized His complete power over them
Jesus’ Power Over the Demons (Evil) • Jesus commanded, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” (Luke 8:29; Mark 5:8) • Jesus said to them, “Go” into the large herd of swine (Matt. 8:32; Mark 5:11) • The whole swine (about 2,000) ran violently down the steep place into the sea and drowned (Mt. 8:32; Mk. 5:13; Lk.. 8:33) • The demons could not resist the command of Christ; He is too powerful
The Various Effects of this Miracle of Jesus • Effect on the swine: went berserk and destroyed themselves • Effect on the demons: cast out and again without a host • Effect on the swineherders: fled into the city to tell what happened (Matt. 8:33; Mark 5:14-16; Luke 8:34-36) • Effect on the townspeople: went out to see what happened (Matt. 8:34; Mark 5:14-15) • They were afraid…seized with great fear (Luke 8:35, 37) • The whole multitude begged Him to depart (Luke 8:37)
The Various Effects of this Miracle of Jesus • Effect on the demon-possessed man: healed (Luke 8:36) • The demons had departed (Luke 8:35) • Sitting (Mark 5:15) – no longer out of control • Sitting at the feet of Jesus (Luke 8:35) • Clothed (Mark 5:15; Luke 8:35) – no longer naked • In his right mind (Luke 8:35; Mark 5:15) • No longer demon-possessed but Christ-possessed • Begged to go and be with Jesus (Luke 8:38) • Personally commissioned by Jesus (Mark 5:19) • Proclaimed good news throughout Decapolis & all marveled (Mk. 5:20)
Lessons to Learn and Remember • Satan is a cruel master who seeks our destruction. • Faith in Jesus is not enough to be saved and delivered from Satan’s control. • It was Christ’s special mission to destroy the works of the devil & free men. • When people prefer property to people, they will want to be rid of Christ. • Those who want to remain in their sins find Jesus’ presence intolerable. • Jesus will not force Himself upon any people who do not want Him. • Before man needs to “go into all the world,” he needs go to his own house. • Those who’ve been saved by Christ need to proclaim the good news freely. • Demon possession is not possible today, but demon obsession is. • We can still be in bondage to Satan in much more subtle ways. • No matter how powerful the forces of evil, they cannot stand before Christ. • People who serve the devil are not in their right mind. • People in their right mind want to do right and serve the Lord. • We must tell others about the grace, mercy and forgiveness of the Lord.