After Jesus commanded the storm as well as his disciples to be at peace, his next encounter would be a spiritual one. As he entered the country of the Gerasenes, a man with an unclean spirit came bursting out of the tombs. He was a terrifying figure, and people had often bound him with chains. But time and time again he would break the shackles and chains that so loosely confined him. This man received his strength from a legion of demons and no one could control him. Until Jesus stepped on the stage.
When the demon-possessed man saw Jesus approaching he cried out loud, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me." Even this man acknowledged Christ's power and authority. The demons who were strong enough to subject an ordinary man were found themselves begging Jesus not to torment them and to allow them to enter into a nearby herd of pigs. Upon their request, Jesus gave them permission to do as they had asked. There were so many demons that they caused a herd of 2,000 pigs to run into the sea!
Not only did Jesus demonstrate power over the wind and the sea, but also over the demonic spiritual forces. Both were obliged to obey his commands and subject themselves to his will. On the first account, the disciples' response was a proper fear of Jesus. In this account, the people who had previously known the demon-possessed man (who was now dressed and civilized), may have been as afraid as the disciples had been. However, instead of staying with Jesus and trying to know him better, the people began to beg him to depart from their region.
As we saw with the Israelites, there is a fear that draws you in faith toward God as well as one that drives you away from God. These men were obviously the latter. The demon-possessed man was a good example of the former.
Mark 5:1-20
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