Mark 5
-On the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee in the country of
the Gerasenes, Jesus and His disciples encounter a man who was demon possessed
to the point that he was uncontrollable. He had to live in the cemetery since
no one was strong enough to subdue and bind him, even with chains. Every day
and night he would constantly scream among the tombs and in the mountains
because of his torment, gashing himself with stones. The Bible paints a very
bleak existence for this man before Jesus came along. When this man saw Jesus
from a distance, he ran up to Him and bowed down shouting, “What business do we
have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do
not torment me!” Jesus then began calling out the unclean spirit that was
within him. The Messiah was asking for the demons’ name, which got the
response, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” The demons begged for the
Christ not to send them out of the country, so the Lord disposed of them into a
herd of unclean swine who were feeding nearby on the mountain. When they
entered the herd of two thousand pigs, they immediately rushed down the steep
bank of the mountain into the sea and they all drowned. Their herdsmen ran away
in a tizzy and reported the event both to the city and the country. When the
people of the area came out to inspect the situation, they found Jesus and the
man who had been demon-possessed sitting down calmly, clothed and in his right
mind. This frightened the populace, and they beseeched the Lord to leave their
region once they had heard the story of what had occurred. As the Lord was
getting into the boat to depart, the man who had been delivered approached Him
and wanted to accompany the team of disciples. Jesus Christ did not have that
plan for this man. He responded with His perfect will, “Go home to your people
and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had
mercy on you.” The man went away praising God and proclaiming the great things
he had experienced by the power of the Almighty in the Decapolis (10 cities
area). Everyone was amazed at this transformation (Mark 5:1-20).
-Upon His return on the other side, the Lord stayed in the
seashore to speak since a large crowd had gathered around Him. One of the synagogue
officials, who no doubt had witnessed some of His miracles by this point, fell
at His feet and begged Him desperately to lay His Hands on his very sick child
so that she would be well. Faith triggered Jesus’ response. He went off with
the official, and the large crowd followed behind them. While on their way,
another miracle took place, also triggered by faith, which becomes our theme
here in this section. A woman who had dealt with a female part hemorrhage for
twelve years with suffering and constant medical attention costing her
everything she had without any success (in fact the text says she got worse
with physicians help) came up to the Christ and touched Him in the midst of the
crowd of people. Her thinking was simple, but profound, “If I just touch His
garments, I will get well.” There was an immediate drying up of the flow of
blood from her body when she touched the Savior! She could actually feel the
healing from her affliction. Jesus, perceiving in Himself that His raffa power had gone out (Psalm 103:3),
turned around and addressed the crowd, “Who touched My garments?” The
undiscerning disciples couldn’t understand His preciseness. Many people had
been pressing in and touching Him. Why would He call this out? The Lord noticed
the woman by now. She was afraid and trembling, aware of what had just happened
to her. She came before Him and told Him the whole truth. Christ’s words reveal
His compassion and mission, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in
peace and be healed of your affliction. While still speaking these beautifully
profound words, messengers came from Jairus’ house with terrible news. The
daughter had passed into eternity. There was no longer need for the Messiah’s
healing touch, or so they thought. Jesus overheard this conversation and
petitioned the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid, only believe.” Only
Peter, James, and John were allowed to accompany the Lord as He entered where
the dead girl was. Outside the house was a large commotion with many people
weeping and wailing loudly. Jesus told them that she was only asleep; she was
not dead. Because they thought they knew otherwise, the crowd began to mock His
comment. Jesus put everyone away except the faithful. His companions, the
mother, and the father entered the place where she lay. Then, Jesus took the
child by the hand and said directly to her, “Talitha kum (“Little girl, I say
to you, get up!)!” Another immediate miracle took place! She got up and began
to walk around. The twelve year old astounded the witnesses, but Jesus gave
them strict orders that no one should know about this. Then, recognizing every
practical need, Jesus tells them that they should give the girl something to
eat (Mark 5:21-43).
-*Application* Jesus’ sole mission on His trip across the
Sea of Galilee was to drive out a legion of demons from a maniac that could not
be previously contained. He drove the unclean spirits completely away into a
herd of pigs. They were demolished. That man and that place was radically
changed because of the power of God. We who have His Spirit in us have that
same authority today, right now. Christ has all the power!!! Just think of it
like this: Christ in you to drive out the evil afoot. Meditate on it and then
go apply it in love.
-Jesus’ mission as He came back across the sea was to
supernaturally heal on the basis of faith. The Lord can’t work with doubt.
Trust in Him alone and observe what He does. The great thing about that these
days is that we are exhorted to proclaim His excellencies to the world (1 Peter
2:9). We don’t need to hide it anymore. His Kingdom has come and His will
should be done (Matthew 6:10). He’s no longer the suffering Servant (Isaiah 53).
He is the King of an everlasting Kingdom (Psalm 145:13, Daniel 4:3, 34; 7:14,
27).
Verses to Memorize:
Mark 5:19, 34, 36
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