Jesus decided to go to the other side of the Lake with His disciples leaving the crowd that He was ministering to (Mark 4) as there was God’s precious creation on the other side who was helpless and tortured.  We see Jesus, the Good Shepherd who “leaves the ninety nine in search of the lost one” (Matt. 18:12) in His going after the demon possessed man who needed deliverance.

When he reaches Gadarenes, the other side of the lake, He was received by the man with the evil spirit, a man driven out of his own house, community and town, liked by no one, unwanted and unworthy. In Mark 5:5 we see that night and day among the tombs and in the hills, he would cry out and cut himself with stones. The pathetic condition of his cry came from his inner being and his anger and frustration to let loose the evil and unclean spirit from his being, the being which is the divine creation of God. Sin is the root cause of such a state: “A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of dead” (Proverbs 21:16). Besides, those who rebel against the Most High are also in shackles and chains. But still the Holy God chooses to love him and comes in search of him.

This is not just the pathetic cry of this man but there are many today who have rebelled against God and His Word, bound by the shackles of sin who need to be free!  Jesus has seen this man and us before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4) and chosen us to know Him.

Let us see the steps to this man’s deliverance:

1. He chose to meet Jesus Christ (Mark 5:4). There was a willingness to meet the Master Most often people are in need but due to their own unwillingness they miss to meet the Master. John 3:18 says that they loved darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil.
    

2. Determination (Mark 5:6). When he saw Jesus, he ran and fell on his knees before Him. Here we see his helplessness as well as the demons fearing and falling at Jesus’ feet. The demons, proclaiming Jesus as Son of the Most High God begged not to torture them. At the name of Jesus every knee will bow and proclaim that Jesus is Lord and here we see this man seeking His mercy falling at Jesus’ feet.
    

3. Submission: On seeing his submission, Jesus ordered the evil spirit to come out of him (Mark 5:8) -the legion (6000demons) left this man. Then we see the man in his right mind and well dressed. When we submit to God and resist the devil, he will flee (James 4:7). In 1 Corinthians 6:19, it says our bodies are the Temple of Holy Spirit; when we are united with Christ, we become one in Spirit with Him.
    

4. Love of God (Mark 5:18): The man begged to accompany as the love of God filled him as he realized Jesus is his Saviour! On the other hand, the people of the town who loved the world and the things in it, begged Jesus to leave. Then Jesus commanded him (Mark 5:19): “Go home to your own [family and relatives and friends] and bring back word to them of how much the Lord has done for you, and [how He has] had sympathy for you and mercy on you.” [AMP] So he began to spread the Good news of the great things Jesus had done for him. This was done out of love towards Jesus Christ.


Prayer:

Loving Father, I acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who was sent for me to die for my sin and set me free from the bondage of sin and the evil ways of my life. Let me proclaim what You have done in my life, to others. In Jesus name,

Amen.