Demon Possessed
Mark 5:1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.
They had crossed the sea of Galilee, Jesus having calmed the storm by speaking to it. The disciples were sinful, in the presence of God the son, so close. in the same boat, safe but feeling unworthy. At last they are to the other side. Always crowds gathered to meet Jesus with their needs, but this time there was only one man.
Mark 5:2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
Mark 5:3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
Mark 5:4 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.
Luke 8:27 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.
Oh great, they were safe from the storm and now a naked mad man comes towards them, a hulk of a man with super strength, powered by devils. Jesus, you are needed for sure now.
Mark 5:5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
We have people today who cut themselves. According to this story it is because of the torment of devils. The cutter somehow feels release by punishing themselves with pain.
Mark 5:6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,
This mad man worshipped Jesus? No, he spoke his name.
Mark 5:7 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.
These were the demons speaking. They knew the spirit world and they saw Jesus as he is. Why can't the skeptics who live such unclean lives see Jesus today? Jesus in person was before him, they knew and confessed that he is the Son of the most high God No, not a god, as Mormon's and Jehovah's witnesses say, the brother of satan, nor a self deceived human claiming to be God, that would not cause the demons to speak out. He was and is the true and holy living Son of God, the Father and Son are one Spirit. The spirit world knows the Spirit of God and they tremble.
We do not come against demons in the flesh.
Acts 19:14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
Acts 19:15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
Acts 19:16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
A Legion of Demons
Mark 5:8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
The naked mad man, knew who Jesus was. It was the foul spirit that spoke. Jesus speaks to the spirit: come out of the man, you unclean spirit.
Mark 5:9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
Legion, a Roman legion had from 3000 to 6000 men. We do not know how many demons were in him, but there were many, enough to inhabit a great herd of swine.
Mark 5:10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.
Mat 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
Send them to hell, as was the fear of the demon who spoke to Jesus in the synagogue.
Mark 1:23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
Mark 1:24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
Demons use bodies to destroy people, to speak false messages and to fight the progress of God's kingdom.
Mark 5:11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.
The Jews hated swine, they were unclean animals to them. Those who owned the swine were Gentiles.
Mark 5:12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
A legion of devils wanted to inhabit the swine, it was not yet time for their judgment.
Mark 5:13 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.
A legion of 2000 swine inhabited by demons went crazy, and killed themselves. One of their job duties was to kill. With the death of the swine, the spirits were free to roam the earth. Perhaps they will entice you or someone you know to commit suicide? Keep close to God and do not let emotions and thoughts rule you. Jesus is Lord, speak his name out loud in time of need.
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Your Testimony First
Mark 5:14 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.
Mark 5:15 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.
The pig feeders witnessed a great sight. The demon possessed man had a legion of demons cast out of him by Jesus. The demons were so many that they entered all 2000 swine who rushed off a cliff into the sea. These great signs pointed to the power and holiness of Jesus, Son of God. Would they see him as he is and be drawn to him?
Mark 5:16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.
Remember the story of the prodigal son who took his inheritance from his father early? He spent it all on his lusts until he had no money and this resulted in no friends. He fed the pigs and ate the husks until he came to his senses?
Luke 15:16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
Luke 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
The Father saw him coming and hugged him, restoring him to what he was meant to be. The swine feeders and their friends had evidence, what would they do with it? Would they run to God through Jesus asking to be forgiven and restored?
Mark 5:17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.
They prayed, beseeched and begged Jesus to depart, to leave, to go away. Their finances were in the sea with the dead pigs. This was not prosperity preaching. The true prosperity would be a changed heart, they were only upset. This was the viewpoint of the spectators and often the viewpoint of those we witness too. Go depart, leave, get out of here.
Mark 5:18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.
The man who was free from the legion of devils was grateful to Jesus. He truly was free and in his right mind. He wanted to follow Jesus. That is very good.
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Mark 5:19 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.
Mark 5:20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
Listen, this is important. You may think that to serve Jesus best that you must follow him to a foreign land. Listen to Jesus. Your ministry starts right where you live. Witness to those you know. If you were a bad sinner, they will see the difference.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
It starts in Jerusalem, your home city. Be faithful there sharing your testimony and you may have opportunities to minister all over the world. Listen to Jesus and obey him. All the men who saw the witness of the demon possessed man of what Jesus had done for him, marveled, God was glorified in his witness.
Please Heal my Daughter
Mark 5:21 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.
Jesus had gone to the Gadarenes to deliver one man with a legion of demons. Now returning to Galilee, he is greeted with a legion of people with needs. All people are needy and all people need Jesus. You are not forgotten, whether alone or in a crowd, Jesus is your hope. Seek him and he will receive you. You will not want to seek Jesus, unless God the Father has moved in your heart.
John 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
Was the demon possessed man seeking God, being filled with a legion of demons? Listen, no matter the sin, God is reaching out to you; come to Jesus.
Mark 5:22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
Mark 5:23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
Most of the rulers did not believe in Jesus, but, Jairus put away his views for the sake of his dying daughter. Many used to send their children to Sunday School, but not attend themselves. They saw something good there for their children, but not for them. Are you too sophisticated for Jesus? That is pride. Are you wiser than Jesus, or are you believing as the world? Are you without sin? Jesus was, so how can you be his judge? This is just wrong thinking. Jesus is a sound mind. Come to him and receive of him.
Mark 5:24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
The crowd saw the work of Jesus, it was good. They followed him now, but at the end they would agree to crucify him. Their love was faulty, so many of the world have this kind of love that wants to receive or take from another, but this love is not pure, it takes and then leaves, or turns upon the giver. God's love is pure, a sacrificial love, such as Jesus who gave himself for us. In Jesus is healing and eternal life. He will not leave you.
Blood
Mark 5:25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
A certain woman, a real person who suffered with bleeding that would not stop for twelve years. Life is in the blood she was in desperation.
Lev 17:14 For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof:...
Mark 5:26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
Many of us can relate to this woman. The physician practicing medicine were only able to remove her of her wealth. and she grew worse. Where could she go but to the Lord?
Mark 5:27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
Mark 5:28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
Desperately she struggled through the crowd, if only to touch his clothing. She believed that even the garment being touch, as a part ofd who Jesus is, this would make her whole.
Mark 5:29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
Immediately she was healed, the blood stopped flowing.
Once when I was asked to take pictures at a wedding, two hours before the wedding my nose began to bleed, like a fountain. I applied pressure, every remedy I could remember it bled for an hour. I was praying and praying to Jesus, finally it stopped. I thought, oh please do not let the nose bleed around the brides beautiful white dress. The Lord was faithful. Blood loss makes you weak and desperate. I can only imagine how this woman must have felt. With God there is healing. Jesus bled for us, that we might be healed. For those who must cut themselves? Jesus was wounded for your sins, his blood cleanses us and stops the misery of the flesh weaknesses and the devil's torments. There is life in the blood of Jesus for all who believe in him.
Healing power
Mark 5:30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
Jesus is all good, virtue was taken, the Greek word for virtue, dunamis, the word for power, strength, mighty work, miracle. He knew that power had gone out for healing and he knew who it was. He asked who touched my clothes? Would the person witness to her healing? Or would she be ashamed?
Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Mark 5:31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
Mark 5:32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
Jesus looked at the woman. That look brought conviction. Jesus knows, later on he would look at Peter who would deny him three times.
Luke 22:61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Luke 22:62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
Mark 5:33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
God loves those who come to him in truth and with a humble heart. This is the way to come to Jesus, the Son of God for healing, for salvation too.
Mark 5:34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
Jesus gives peace.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Jesus is our healer, she was healed of her plague.
1 Pet 2:24 Who his own self (Jesus) bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
He was whipped, he bled for our healing and was hung on the tree cross for our salvation from sin and death. Through faith we receive from him. Thank you Jesus.
Fear not, only believe
Mark 5:35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
Jesus in the midst of a crowd, on his way to touch the rulers daughter was delayed, but a good delay. The woman with an issue of blood was healed. Sometimes on the way to somewhere else, there are appointments with God. We must be sensitive at all times, for Jesus is caring for those in need. The servant brought the sad news: your daughter is dead, Jesus the master is no longer needed. Is there ever a time when Jesus is no longer needed?
Mark 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
Fear not, only believe. These words are spoken in every book of the Bible. Yet, we being flesh look around at circumstances and we see no solution. Have we forgotten God? He can do anything and His time is not our time. Only believe. Be not afraid. Fear, depression, these things are not the result of faith in Jesus, but of unbelief. We must have faith.
Mat 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Mark 5:37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
He only allowed his close disciples to go with them, no unbelief. They had seen his miracles and should expect the impossible. Jesus is Lord of life.
Mark 5:38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
Professional wailers and mourners were at work. Do not give false sentiments, God expects truth. And don't wait for a funeral to bring flowers to a loved one, do so while thy may appreciate them.
Mark 5:39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
Jesus speaks to the tumult, saying why all the noise and bother? The child sleeps.
Mark 5:40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
The professional mourners were not believing the Lord. They laughed at him a berated him, just like some do to us when we speak of Jesus and his wonderful salvation. Nothing good can come when unbelief and opposition is in the room. Unity in God's spirit and His peace are required, so that God can show his grace. Unbelief was put out, so that Jesus could show the hand of God. He entered into where the young girl was laying. The Lord of life approached the dead in body girl.
Mark 5:41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
He took her hand and commanded her to rise. Her hand was unable to reach to Jesus, as had the lady who was able to touch the hem of his garment. The faith of others in Jesus brought him to reach for her hand.
Mark 5:42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
A great miracle the dead girl came to life and walked to the joy of those who loved her and the Lord! There was no unbelief or scorn in the room, it was to glorify God, this miracle of life.
Mark 5:43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.
Do not tell anyone about the miracle, or opposition will prevent his ministry. Opposition from jealous leaders and impossibly large crowds coming only to see a miracle. Are you alone with an impossible problem? Look again, Jesus is with you. Nothing shall be impossible with God, only believe. Ask in prayer and he will answer in His time.
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