Jesus: The Great Change-Agent

Here is a synopsis of Mark 5:1-17…

A man possessed by a demon lived in the tombs outside of town. He frightened the people greatly so they tried to restrain him, even to the point of using chains. He was so strong that he broke the chains and other restraints and ran around like a wild man, cutting himself with stones and terrorizing others.

As Jesus arrived by boat, the demons recognized Him as God’s Son and began pleading with Him to not torture them. Jesus asked the name of the demon. The response: “My name is Legion…for we are many.”

These numerous demons had no power or authority over Jesus. He ordered them out of the man. They begged Him to let them go into the nearby herd of pigs. Jesus gave them permission. The herd of pigs, now possessed by demons, ran down over a steep bank, into the lake, and drowned.

Those tending the pigs went to tell whoever would listen what had happened. Those from the town came out and found an astonishing sight. The wild man who could not be contained was now sitting calmly with Jesus, was dressed and civil, and was in his right mind. The town folks were amazed by and yet frightened by the unmistakable power and authority of Jesus. Rather than getting to know Him or seeing if He could heal others, they asked Jesus if He would leave their region.

The transformed man wanted to go with Jesus as He left. Instead, Jesus instructed the man to go back to his home and tell his family what Jesus had done for him. The man did that and more. He went and told people all over the adjoining towns about the miracle that Jesus had done in his life.

He went from being overwhelmed by being possessed by the demons to being free of the demons and wanting to spend time with Jesus and wanting to tell others what Jesus had done for him. The passage ends with all the people being amazed.

Here are some lessons learned from this remarkable event:

1. Jesus has authority and power over demons. The demons could not go anywhere until they received permission from Jesus. They came out of the man when Jesus said to come out. They went into the pigs when Jesus said they could. The demons had no power over Jesus. By the way, they still don’t.

2. The man was totally transformed from the inside out. He wanted to go wherever Jesus was going. And, the man went throughout his home town and the neighboring towns telling all that Jesus had done. Transformed people want to be with Jesus and want to tell others about what Jesus has done. By the way, they still do.

Jesus still transforms hearts and lives. Have you been changed by Jesus? If so, you will want to spend time with Jesus and will want to tell others about Jesus.