The Book of Mark #28 chapter 5:1-20, pt 3
The Book of Mark
Dominating Powers, part 3
Mark 5:1-20
 
I want to take one more look at the opening verses of Mark 5.  We’ve been studying the account found here of a demon possessed man who lived out in the cemetery near the Sea of Galilee. 
 
His life and experience provide the setting for us to see three different powers put on display. 
 
First we saw the devastating power of demons.  This man is literally consumed with the power of Satan.  There is nothing about him that is let of himself.  His actions, his appearance, his modesty, his language, his voice and even his name are now overwhelmed by these demons that occupy his human body. 
 
And he is a picture of what the devil would like to do with all humanity.  He would like to have control of all of us so that he might destroy of.  That’s exactly what Jesus said of him in John 10.  He is out to steal, kill and destroy. 
 
By the way, he is also an illustration of what should happen when we give our life to Christ.  He ought to so consume us that we are literally eaten up with the power and presence of God.  He ought to have control of our actions, our appearance, our modesty, our language, our voice and even our name.   We are to be so overwhelmed with the indwelling Spirit of God that He literally occupies and controls this human body. 
 
Now the only way that can happen is if the power of God is greater than the power of Satan.  And that is really what this story is all about. 
 
On the one hand we have this devastating power of demons and in stark contrast we see the delivering power of Deity.  This man is stark raving mad until Jesus shows up and when Jesus gets through with him he is seated, clothed and in his right mind and the demons are left to occupy a herd of pigs that wind up being drowned because of the destructive power of the demons. 
 
But there is another power at work in this story and it is often overlooked or goes unnoticed, but I want to point it out to you because it, too, is an amazing display of strength and that is
 
3.  The Destructive Power of Depravity
 
Notice what happens in verse 17
 
You would think that a miracle like this one would start a revival.  In fact, you would expect the next few sentences in the Bible to tell us were converted and followed the Lord because of what happened.  You would think they would be begging Jesus to deliver them from sin and darkness and the power of Satan. 
 
It just seems like there would have been an amazing interest and curiosity about Christ.  Where are you from?  What's Your name? Who sent you?  How did you come to have such amazing power?  Can you change us? Can you transform us? Please stay here with us and answer our questions!
 
You would think a miracle of this magnitude would lead them to respond like that, but instead they beg Him to leave their region. 
 
“Go away, Sir." And by the way, Luke says, "All the people said it." It is a universal cry, "Go away." Instead of wanting to hear more and see more, their depraved, sin-hardened souls want Him to leave.
 
Their opinion is that He is more dangerous to them than were the demons. They would rather have Satan in their presence than they would God. 
They're more comfortable with Satan. There's not a word of thanks from anybody for the deliverance from the terror of this violent man. There's not an expression of joy. There's not a question about who He is and where His power comes from.
 
They would rather be terrified by Satan than comforted by God and I think the reason for that is Satan doesn't threaten their sinful behavior.
 
What it boils down to is they're more comfortable with sin than holiness. Such is the nature of depravity.  That's how all sinners are. It is more comfortable to be in the presence of evil than to be in the presence of righteousness. That's one of the reasons that the world hates Christians.
 
Why do you think our nation has rushed to embrace homosexuality and same-sex marriage?  It is because if we judge that to be wrong, then someone might judge us to be wrong in what we’re doing.  Better to allow that and protect ourselves than to condemn that and run the risk of our sin being discovered. 
Listen:  as far as the world is concerned, Satan is a whole lot more welcome than God.  After all, He’s the life of the party.  God only wants to take away all your fun.  And this story is a reminder that even if you do a miracle that is beyond comprehension, it’s still not big enough to overcome the power of depravity. 
 
Witness the response not only of these Gentiles, but of the whole nation of Israel. What did they say?
 
"We will not have this man to reign over us, crucify Him." John 3:19, "Men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil." That’s why the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.  They're of their father, the devil. They're dead in trespasses and sins. They walk according to the course of this world. They're under the power of the prince of the air, driven by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life."
 
And as powerful as this miracle is, the power of depravity is stronger. The miracle will not break the hard heart.  There has to be another miracle to do that and it is the miracle of the new birth.  The regenerating power of God has to come in and break the hard heart and replace it with a heart of flesh. But they didn't want any more of Jesus. They didn't want any more of His holy presence.
 
So, notice how He responded to their request.
 
verse 18a
 
Why did He get into the boat?  He got into the boat to leave.   Isn’t that sad?
Here is this tremendous opportunity within their grasp.  All they had to do was reach out and touch it.  And instead, they begged Him to leave their region and He did.   Is that not a vivid illustration of the blindness and the deadness of the human heart?
 
And if you want to see the contrast, just read the remainder of
 
verse 18b
 
This man doesn't want to live another day without Jesus. He doesn’t ever want to let Him out of his sight.  After all, if Jesus leaves, the demons might return!  And in his mind, if he could just stay with Jesus, everything would be okay. 
 
I'm convinced that there was more conversation between Jesus and this man and as a result of the time he spent with Christ, he is not only delivered from demons, but he is a committed follower, a disciple of Jesus Christ.
 
I think he's committed to following Christ and with all his heart, he's begging Jesus to let him accompany Him.  He doesn't want to go another day and take another step unless it's in the presence of Christ. This tormented soul has been reborn into a fresh new sanity, sociability, purity.  And he desires to be with One that is holy. He wants to be with the living and not just the living but the one who has in Himself the life. He would never want to be anywhere but beside Jesus.  That's what a disciple is.  He is now a follower of Jesus Christ and therefore, wants to follow. 
 
 
But there's another surprise here because in verse 19 Jesus responds to him in a way that we might think is a little bit odd.
 
Verse 19
 
This man immediately becomes a missionary.  Somebody says, “But he had no training!”  Well how much training do you think you have to have to be a missionary?   How much do you have to know?  After all, he’s the only missionary in the area.  There is no one else to compare him to. 
 
By the way, he is the first preacher Jesus ever sent out. He hasn't yet sent out the Apostles. He hasn't yet sent out the 70. This is the first person Jesus ever sent out to preach His name and he is a Gentile who had a really messed up past. And when he gave a testimony, it was like, "I don't know if you’ll believe this, but I used to be a naked maniac living out in the cemetery and one day. . ."
 
Jesus says, “Just go home and tell your friends what’s happened.”  By the way, that gives us a little peek into the man’s past.  He had friends and relationships and Jesus tells him to start there.  That makes all kinds of sense.  Who else would better appreciate what had happened than those who knew him best? 
 
All it takes to be a witness for Christ is to just share the personal evidence of the change He’s brought to you.  From the moment we are converted, we  immediately inherit the responsibility of proclaiming  the name of Christ. Go to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you and how He had mercy on you.
Maybe that’s why so many are so quiet about their faith.  There’s not much evidence of any change that has come because of Christ.  But this man was absolutely revolutionized.  There is nothing that is like it used to be. 
 
What does it take to be able to witness for the power of Christ? The fact that He's has worked in your life.  
 
And notice the evidence of his faith. 
 
verse 20
 
True faith also evidences itself with obedience.  Luke says he told the whole city.  Then Mark adds this reference to Decapolis.  Decapolis is a region of ten cities.  So he worked his way through ten cities telling his story. 
 
Did his ministry have any effect?
 
Look at chapter 7:31-32
 
I find that very interesting.  Why would they bring somebody to Him who was deaf? He didn't minister in that area. As far as we know, He had only been there one time and that was the encounter with this maniac.  And when it was all over, they wanted Him to leave.
 
I think it is because of the testimony of this man.  It has now been months since this man was healed and delivered and I would guess that every day during that time he was telling someone his story.  And when Jesus shows back up, the public goes out to meet Him and they bring all their problems because if Jesus could help that guy, He could help anyone!
And that’s exactly what He did. 
 
Verses 33-35
 
And this time, notice how they respond. 
 
Verses 36-37
 
Quite a contrast to the first time!  So what made the difference?  I think it was this man’s witness about Christ.  And when Jesus returned, the crowds were there to receive Him.
 
And notice chapter 8, verse 1.  Now we have a multitude coming to the Lord!
 
Does that tell you a little bit about grace?  The first time, they begged Him to leave, but graciously, Jesus returned and did the same thing the second time He did the first! 
 
And it serves as a reminder of just how powerful the personal testimony of a changed life can be.  All He knew is that Jesus had changed His life and He had been transformed.  And if you're a Christian, you're responsible to be as faithful as he was.
 
Let’s pray.