6When 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!" 8For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"
9Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"
"My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." 10And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
11A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." 13He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Daily QT: 08/09/2007 Mark 5:6-13
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6 comments:
I think it is amazing that even demons would beg for mercy from Christ. And I find it even more amazing that Christ would listen to their pleas. He forced the demons to leave the man's body (that was not negotiable), and yet he allowed the demons to choose where they would go next.
How much more mercy will he show those who not only have faith in who he is, but love and follow him.
Seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down before Him; and shouting with a loud voice, he said, "What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!" For He had been saying to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!" And He was asking him, "What is your name?" And he said to Him, "My name is Legion; for we are many." And he began to implore Him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now there was a large herd of swine feeding nearby on the mountain. The demons implored Him, saying, "Send us into the swine so that we may enter them." Jesus gave them permission. And coming out, the unclean spirits entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, about two thousand of them; and they were drowned in the sea. (Mark 5:6-13 - NASB)
By reading through these verses, we can see how evil spirits fear and plead to Jesus for mercy. It's also sort of fearful to think how evil spirits can occupy the minds and hearts of people. It's also interesting how Jesus can see and act beyond our human nature. We all need a doctor who can see and cure diseases beyond our physical state. Though this example of the demon-possessed man is a little extreme, I don't think we are much different from this person. In fact, unfortunately, it's so easy to let Satan take control of our lives once we are out of touch with Christ and the word. Daily prayers and meditations of the word should not be neglected, regardless of whether we are busy or swamped with hardships...
similar to what the above posters have voiced, these verses were actually very encouraging to me - that JC would listen to even the demons' pleas...how much more would He listen to ours! i've been listening to this testimony by dr. david hee don lee, and one of the things he says over and over is God isn't moved without prayers and prayers aren't answered without actions. we must seek, knock, and go. even the demon pleaded with JC and acted on his pleas.
just a thought - i wonder what were the pigs for? natural waste management? cuz the jews dont eat pigs...i wonder if JC allowed the demise of 2000 pigs cuz one human life saved is greater than 2000 pigs'? anyways, just a thought.
As sick and possessed of a person as he was, the man still came to Jesus. I always am struck by the fact that he fell on his knees in front of Jesus. Though being pulled away in so many directions by the legion of evil spirits in him, I think he must have known that Jesus can help him. Even in the midst of a difficulty and especially when I feel like I've failed and sense the super-long distance b/w me & God, I need not ultimately despair. As long as I come and fall before this God, He can change me for the better. God rescued me that all that I do and live may spring out of this passion to see Him glorified in life. Who's my daddy today? Jesus, it's you. Amen.
the way that i interpreted the name "legion, for we are many" was that this possessed man represents so many (if not most) people -- at least the way they look and feel on the inside.
i also found it interesting that pigs were involved and that a specific number of them was cited. i'm not sure if this is a comparison of "worth" or a comparison of "suffering" -- one man in deep spiritual pain reflects the type of suffering experienced by a huge number of animals being drowned to death (i.e. it's hard to imagine).
Wow, Rocky. I never thought of that "legion, for we are many" referring to us. I assumed it referred to multiple demons inside the man - but what you said makes perfect sense!
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