Notes
So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.
When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.”
Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?”
And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.” Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place.
There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. “Send us into those pigs,” the spirits begged. “Let us enter them.”
So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.
The herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.
Mark 5:1-20
This man was an outcast. He was lonely, confused, and destructive. He was listening to every other voice in his life. But once he met Jesus, the voice of God brought peace into his soul.
Many people today live discontent and confused because they’ve never allowed God to enter their lives and begin transforming them. God can give us a name with His authority, but we have to listen and accept who He says we are.
1. Jesus redeems
The Good News starts with Jesus redeeming us - buying us back. He is our deliverer; He saves us from slavery to other spirits. The love of Christ causes demons to flee. We don’t have to wonder who we are or what our purpose in life is. God knows your name and why He created you in the place and space you're in - let Jesus adopt you into the Kingdom of God.
2. Jesus restores
In verse 15, the man experiences peace. Jesus had restored his soul! Restoration through Jesus is like a renovation - He doesn’t change what makes you you, but he begins to remove the old things that dominated your life and replace it with the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
3. Jesus renews
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
Psalm 23:1-3
The man’s relationships with his family and others around him were renewed. They were able to see that something powerful had come into his life. Like him, Jesus renews our purpose when we come to Him.
Group Questions
- How can we listen for who God says we are?
- What does it mean to be redeemed?
- What areas in your life right now need renovations?
- How does Jesus renew our purpose?
Prayer
Thank you for giving us new names in you, and for giving our lives an important purpose. We want to cling to the mercy you’ve shown us and help others experience that same peace.