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 anymore, 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.
When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at 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 this man, you impure spirit!”
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 demons 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.
Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. (New International Version)
Germany, c.1000
The Evangelist Mark wants his readers and hearers to understand and know that Jesus is the Divine Warrior who fights against evil in the world. Many times in his earthly ministry, the Lord Jesus encountered some rather militant demons. In today’s Gospel lesson, an entire legion of them were tormenting a man who was unable to be with others and hung out in cemeteries all the time, practicing self-harm.
Much like Pharaoh’s army being drowned in the Red Sea by an act of God, so Jesus sent the legion of demons into a herd of pigs who rushed over an embankment and into the sea to drown.
The chaotic man comes to his right mind. The chaos evoked by the demonic realm is restored to order.
But, similar to an Old West movie in which the townsfolk are shortsighted to the sheriff’s heroic feat, the people in the region of the Gerasenes only see the loss of pigs, and not the loss of demons. So, the people pleaded with Jesus to leave the area.
Yet, at some point, everyone must deal with Jesus, simply because he is a force to be reckoned with.
Eventually, we all face unseen forces that are beyond our control. It might not be today, and the sun may out, but the weather will change; everyday isn’t the same. Summer will give way to autumn, and then winter. The landscape will look very different. It’s not a question of “if” but “when.” We may console ourselves that we don’t have to deal with those forces today, but contend with them we shall.
Jesus will come. A person might not have to deal with him today, maybe not tomorrow. However, eventually, there will be a whopper of a gale force, and we will have to deal with it.
In today’s Gospel lesson, a man who was severely influenced by a strong demonic force approached Jesus. Inside of him was such a terrible inner storm that the demons shouted at Jesus.
Jesus, unfazed by the man’s inner violence and outer screams, uttered a command from a place of confidence. As fierce as the man was, Jesus had the authority to deal with the situation. As a result, the terrible force within the man subsided.
Yet, the bad weather was not over – it picked up momentum with the townsfolk. It seems they had been living their merry lives with no thought to Jesus. But he showed up. So, they had to contend with his authority right there in front of them. Unfortunately, they chose poorly.
The Evangelist, Mark, wants us to see a connection in the story between the demons who begged Jesus, and the people of the town who begged Jesus. They did not humbly beg to follow him; they begged him to get away and leave them alone.
Jesus is an authoritative force to be reckoned with… and he is coming to your town. Maybe not today, perhaps not tomorrow. But things will not always be the way they are right now. People will have to contend with unseen forces, and they will eventually face Jesus, one way or another.
Jesus Christ, Son of God, you are Lord over the wind, the waves, and the weather. You also command the unseen, and they obey. You are God with us. Oh, that all people would beg to follow you and not beg you to leave! I am grateful for your power and authority over all things. Amen.
Rev. Tim Ehrhardt 