Come out of this man, you evil spirit! (Mark 5a)

Come out of this man,You, evil spirit!

Mark 5:1-20
Key Verse: 5:8

For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"

Introduction: In many parts of the world, many evil spirits are endemic. It is organized forms of satanic forces over many different parts of this world. We know that this world is under the forces of evil. The chief of the evil spirits are the Satan that led man astray at the time of creation. God promised that woman’s offspring would crush the head of the Satan. Jesus was that offspring of woman. So Jesus had to face satanic forces in one way or another. Here in the region of Decapolis, a gentile area, Jesus encountered evil spirits that took control of one man’s life. Jesus drove out evil spirits from this man. Here Jesus demonstrated his authority and power over evil spirits. Even though they were many, and even though they were powerful, Jesus in his authority drove out the evil spirits from this man. In addition, through this, Jesus showed his strong will and determination to rescue men from all evil spirits. As we go through the passage, we can learn three things; Jesus authority and power over evil spirits, the nature of evil spirits and Jesus will to free men from the bondage of Satan.

A. man captured by an evil spirit (1-5)

The night before, Jesus and his disciples faced rough water. The disciples felt that they were almost drowned. But Jesus rebuked the wind and it died down immediately. It was very scary moment for the disciples. But that squall might not be just an incident happened by chance. If satanic forces were the other side of the lake shore, then it might be the work of evil spirit that tried to deter the coming of Jesus to the region of Gerasenes. It was Gentile area, where evil spirits were endemic with strong influences. Where God is not honored, all kinds of evil spirits take over the lives of people. When Paul went to Athens, he was appalled at so many idols. It arouses repugnant feelings to those who honor God Almighty. Many parts of the world, ungodly life styles were well tuned into their daily living that they seldom knew the existence of evil spirits. So might be here in Gerasenes, a gentile area. As soon as Jesus landed on the lake shore, Jesus saw a man captured by evil spirits. How was he like?

He lived in the tombs. Tombs were a dug out caves in which dead bodies were laid; This man was living in those caves. Who would live in such eerie place? But to this man this was more comfortable place than ordinary homes or families. In other word, in this man’s emotions death was closer than life filled with liveliness. How can a man prefer death to life? To the ordinary it is beyond comprehension. But to such man, death exists more intimately. Secondly, people could not control him even by chain. This man was violent and did not or could not abide by the norms of the society. He could not have meaningful talk or discussions with others. Uncontrollable forces were in him that defied all rules and ethics or norms of the society. Thirdly, he was in agony and torment. 5Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

How can we characterize this man? He was a man captured by an evil spirit; The evil spirits had control over him. His life was being destroyed and in great distress and torments. Certainly there was no meaning and purpose in life. How could this happen to the man? We can conjecture many reasons how. But one thing is clear. Evil spirits took control over his life in full blown form.

In this man we can see full effect of evil spirits. Evil spirit is against life and favors death. It destroys the person and it controls one’s life. There remains no trace of meaning and purpose of life. As were the town’s people, so we feel helpless if we confront such man as this.

Since men sinned against God, God lowered men below angels. We, men are helpless over the power and enraging authority of satanic forces, the foremen of Satan are evil spirits. Fear is the word as we face such evil spirits.

B. Come out of this man! (6-17)

How did Jesus handle this? V 8For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"—right at the moment of encounter, long before any exchange between Jesus and the man occurred, Jesus ordered the evil spirit; Jesus recognized the evil spirit and he commanded the evil spirit to come out of this man. Here Jesus demonstrated his authority and power over evil spirits. He would not tolerate or put up with evil spirit at all. It was stern command and demanded immediate obedience. How did he response?

v6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!"

The evil spirit knew Jesus as the Son of God. And he pleaded with Jesus, not to torture—it pertains to something of judgment and punishment; they knew they deserve judgment and punishment. Evil spirit recognized Jesus as the Son of God. But he had his own request, not willing to give up easily. How did Jesus handle this? Jesus asked his name. What is your name? It was to reveal the identity of the evil spirit. The name was legion 6000 forces of evil spirit. The evil spirits begged again and again not to send them out of the region. The evil spirits had strong desire to stay in that region. It was Satan’s domain. Immense forces of evil mounting to 6000 in number. In this world, evil spirits are strong, esp. in those areas where God is not honored. In India there are thousands of gods. In China, Buddhism is the main religion. In the jungle of Thailand, many tribal religions worship all kinds of objects. Evil spirits are endemic in many parts of the world, making perfect harmony with its people and cultures. It might be seen in many subcultures in America as well. What is the hall mark of such culture? It is godlessness. When it says ‘godlessness,’ this does not mean that they have no gods. It means that they rejected, or unaware of the only one God, the creator of heaven and the earth. More specifically, godlessness means the rejection of the God of the Bible. In such environment people are open to all kinds of forces of evil, particularly worshiping many idols. In this man is shown unfettered expression of these evil forces. With such forces, evil spirits grip people’s mind in fear and judgment and forces to worship idols. Eph 2:2 [in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient] We pray that God may send many missionaries to every parts of the world. In looking ahead to enter such godless cultures, the power and authority of Jesus over evil spirits are important. Not only one must believe that Jesus, our Lord has authority over all evil spirits but also must claim that Jesus may exert and display such authority by driving out evil spirits from people’s lives.

Despite of Jesus’ stern command, the evil spirits came forward to Jesus and tenaciously begged again and again. Here Jesus permitted their request to enter pigs. With Jesus’ permission the evil spirits came out of the man and went into pigs and they rushed down to the bank and drowned. In this way the evil spirits that tortured the man killed 2000 pigs.

Here I like to think about two things: Why did Jesus give them permission to enter pigs? It was to save this man. The effect of such powerful forces of evil would be very destructive and detrimental. But to save this man Jesus was willing to take anything less of this man’s life. 2000 pigs were of little significance for heavenly business, though it might mean great fortune for the people of the town. First and foremost importance is to release this man from the slavery by evil spirits.

Second what was the reason for evil spirits’ desire to enter pigs? As soon as it was permitted, evil spirits enter into 2000 pigs and they rushed into the bank and drowned.

It was a scary scene. The dashing of 2000 pigs was scary. Sudden death of 2000 pigs by plunging into the water was fearful one. Pigs, minutes before were idling in the field, next minutes, all of them died in the water and the bodies were floating all over the water. This was the work of the evil spirits. It was marked by fear and threat of death. This is the work of Satan, and its foreman evil spirits. Since evil spirits could not be seen, it looked as if it was the work of Jesus. There was the man in right mind. There was Jesus who talked to this man. And there was sudden rushing of 2000 pigs. In this way evil spirits captured the minds of the town’s people in fear of death. In addition, they bore enormous loss of their fortune. The evil spirits did what they wanted to do; to remain in that area and capture the minds of people in fear of death. In such fear, they plead with Jesus to leave their region. To them Jesus was a stranger and brought unfamiliar forces. They failed to see the work of God Almighty. It looked as if it was very unhappy ending.

C. Tell them how much the Lord has done for you (18-20)

18As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."

But there was one man in right mind. There was only one man among so many people of the town who were right with God. This man was one who was free from the fear of death by the evil spirits. One man is truly free from evil spirit. In this man’s life two things were clear; how much the Lord has done for you, andhow he has had mercy on you. In this man, the power of God was living, as a witness of God’s grace and as a witness of God’s authority over all evil spirits. The living witness would continue throughout his life. Through this one man a true light shined in the region.

Seeing the overwhelming forces of evil in society, we often wonder where to start and how to untangle the mess created by evil forces. We can start from one man and must focus on one man. We must believe Jesus’ power and Jesus authority over evil forces. We must plead for and claim on his power to drive away evil spirits on one man. Even if the whole society was taken by evil forces, the work of God shall not fail if one man is renewed in godly spirit.