Recognizing Jesus Mark 5:1-13, 18-20 SS Lesson for 10/11/2009 Devotional Scripture: Luke 7:18-23 OUTLINE INTRODUCTION OVERVIEW AND APPROACH TO LESSON LESSON INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND From the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary From the Bible Expositor and Illuminator MAJOR THEME ANALYSIS RECOGNIZING JESUS SHOWS US OUR NEED FOR DELIVERANCE (MARK 5:1-5) Need to face our problems (1-2) Mature use of God's Word trains to face problems (Heb 5:14) The Church was setup to train Christians so that they would able to face problems (Eph 4:11-14) Jesus warns Christians to watch and pray so that they will be able to face problems (Matt 26:41) God gave His Word to provide solutions to problems we face (2 Tim 3:16) God inspired everything that was written to teach and encourage about facing problems (Rom 15:4) God's divine power is given so that Christians have everything needed to face problems (2 Peter 1:3) Need to be freed for our bondage (3-4) Freedom through God's word (Ps 119:45) Freedom through Jesus' ministry (Luke 4:18) Freedom through the Holy Spirit (2 Cor 3:17) Freedom because Jesus has set us free (Gal 5:1) Freedom through the calling of God (Gal 5:13) Freedom through the discernment of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 2:14) Freedom through denying self (Mark 8:33-35) Freedom through living by the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:16-17) Freedom through setting our minds and hearts on things above (Col 3:1-3) Need to be delivered from self-destruction (5) Delivered from self-destruction by turning from evil and doing good (Ps 37:27) Delivered from self-destruction by purifying self from everything that contaminates (2 Cor 7:1) Delivered from self-destruction by putting off the old self (Eph 4:21-24) Delivered from self-destruction by not allowing even a hint of sin in life (Eph 5:3) Delivered from self-destruction by putting to death ungodliness (Col 3:5-6) Delivered from self-destruction by not conforming to evil desires (1 Peter 1:14-16) RECOGNIZING JESUS BEGINS THE ACTION OF OUR DELIVERANCE (MARK 5:6-13) Begins the action of worshiping God (6-7) Worship that keeps one focused on God (Ps 22:27-29) Worship that prepares an attitude of thanksgiving, reverence and awe (Heb 12:28) Worship that aids in being prepared to come before God in humility and be ready to hear and accept His Words (Ps 95:6-8) Worship that facilitates bringing an offering (Ps 96:8) Worship that prepares one to come before God with gladness and joy (Ps 100:2) Worship that refreshes (Ps 132:7-8) Worship that prepares one to offer his life and body as a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1) Worship that prepares one to be filled with the Holy Spirit (John 4:23-24) Worship that prepares one to find help, through the mercy and grace of God, in the time of need (Heb 4:16) Begins the action of the removal of evil (8-13) Removal of evil because God does not take pleasure in evil (Ps 5:4) Removal of evil because it comes from anger and wrath (Ps 37:8-9) Removal of evil because it should be shunned (Prov 3:7) Recognizing Jesus Page 1 of 11 SS Lesson for 10/11/09
Removal of evil because it ensnares (Prov 5:22) Removal of evil because of the fear of the Lord (Prov 8:13) Removal of evil so that God will forgive and heal (2 Chron 7:14) Removal of evil so that love is sincere (Rom 12:9) Removal of evil so that sin will be avoided (1 Thess 5:22) Removal of evil so that the word planted in us can be fully accepted (James 1:21) Removal of evil so that we can see good days (1 Peter 3:10-11) RECOGNIZING JESUS RESULTS IN OUR DELIVERANCE (MARK 5:18-20) Results in being with God (18) Being with God to learn (Deut 4:9-11) Being with God to hear His word (Deut 31:10-12) Being with God to bind together in agreement and oath (Neh 10:28-29) Being with God for consecration (Joel 2:15-16) Being with God affords rest (Exodus 33:14) Being with God comforts in trials (Isa 43:1-2) Being with God is promised until the end of time (Matt 28:19-20) Results in witnessing (19) Witnessing by making disciples of all nations (Matt 28:19-20) Witnessing through the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) Witnessing by using God's word (Rom 10:17-18) Witnessing is telling the truth of what you know (John 3:11-13) Ten elements of an effective witness (1 Thess 2:1-12) Witnessing is telling confident knowledge of God (Acts 26:24-29) CONCLUSION AND OTHER THOUGHTS CONCLUDING THOUGHTS FROM THE NIV STANDARD LESSON COMMENTARY CONCLUDING THOUGHTS FROM THE BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR PRACTICAL POINTS FROM THE BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR HEART OF THE LESSON FROM THE BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR The demon-possessed man (Mark 5:1-5) The permission to the demons (Mark 5:6-10) The destruction of the herd (Mark 5:11-13) The mission of the transformed man (Mark 5:18-20) Recognizing Jesus Page 2 of 11 SS Lesson for 10/11/09
Introduction Overview and Approach to Lesson The major outline of the lesson outline came from the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary. The lesson studies Recognizing Jesus. The study's aim is to show that when people recognize Jesus, He transforms them and gives them a new beginning. The study's application is to learn that when we recognize Jesus, we are called to tell others about our experience with Him. Lesson Introduction and Background From the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary Today s text takes us well into Jesus three-year ministry. Just before today s text, Jesus had calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee. While this may appear to be in no way connected to the account of the healing of the man possessed by a demon in today s lesson, it may surprise us to see a parallel. In Mark 4:35 41, a storm is raging, with crashing waves and strong winds; in Mark 5, we encounter a storm in the inward person of the man dominated by a demon. Like the surging storm on the sea that captured the attention of the disciples, the demoniac s torment was obvious and unmistakable to all. How Jesus handled that torment is the subject of today s lesson. (The parallel accounts are Matthew 8:28 34 and Luke 8:26 39.) From the Bible Expositor and Illuminator We live in a time when many will subscribe only to what they can observe or experience with their senses. In this day of scientific materialism, it is difficult to persuade people that there is a great spiritual war going on. Of course, it could be argued that this has never been easy to understand because it requires faith to comprehend it. Our lesson this week gives us a glimpse of spiritual warfare. The irony is that the worst enemies of God possessed a greater clarity about this battle than those who could have found salvation in the Lord Jesus. One of the saddest things in life occurs when, whether because of prejudice or depression or anger or even distractions, we fail to recognize that which could provide us with what we most desire. One of Satan's great wiles is to keep us in spiritual darkness. Second Corinthians 4:4 declares that "the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not." Satan's desire is to keep people from recognizing Jesus. The good news is that Christ can break through the power of Satan and bring deliverance to the spiritual captive. We all have been through some great victory or joyful experience that we could not keep to ourselves. We just had to share it with others immediately. It was not something that could wait the excitement was too great. In our lesson this week we experience the power of meeting Jesus and then recognizing who He is in the experience of the demon-possessed man. His life was one of chaos until he met Jesus. When the man recognized Him, peace was restored to his life. It is impossible to recognize Jesus and not have the opportunity to allow Him to transform one's life. Let us take a closer look at this man's experience with Jesus. Major Theme Analysis (Scriptural Text from the New King James Version; cross-references from the NIV) Recognizing Jesus Shows Us Our Need for Deliverance (Mark 5:1-5) 1 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. Recognizing Jesus Page 3 of 11 SS Lesson for 10/11/09
Need to face our problems (1-2) Mature use of God's Word trains to face problems (Heb 5:14) 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. The Church was setup to train Christians so that they would able to face problems (Eph 4:11-14) 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Jesus warns Christians to watch and pray so that they will be able to face problems (Matt 26:41) 41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." God gave His Word to provide solutions to problems we face (2 Tim 3:16) 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, God inspired everything that was written to teach and encourage about facing problems (Rom 15:4) 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. God's divine power is given so that Christians have everything needed to face problems (2 Peter 1:3) 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Need to be freed for our bondage (3-4) Freedom through God's word (Ps 119:45) 45 I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts. Freedom through Jesus' ministry (Luke 4:18) 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, Freedom through the Holy Spirit (2 Cor 3:17) 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Freedom because Jesus has set us free (Gal 5:1) 5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Freedom through the calling of God (Gal 5:13) 13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. Recognizing Jesus Page 4 of 11 SS Lesson for 10/11/09
Freedom through the discernment of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 2:14) 14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. Freedom through denying self (Mark 8:33-35) 33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." 34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. Freedom through living by the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:16-17) 16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. Freedom through setting our minds and hearts on things above (Col 3:1-3) 3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Need to be delivered from self-destruction (5) Delivered from self-destruction by turning from evil and doing good (Ps 37:27) 27 Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. Delivered from self-destruction by purifying self from everything that contaminates (2 Cor 7:1) 7 Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. Delivered from self-destruction by putting off the old self (Eph 4:21-24) 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Delivered from self-destruction by not allowing even a hint of sin in life (Eph 5:3) 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Delivered from self-destruction by putting to death ungodliness (Col 3:5-6) 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. Delivered from self-destruction by not conforming to evil desires (1 Peter 1:14-16) 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." Recognizing Jesus Page 5 of 11 SS Lesson for 10/11/09
Recognizing Jesus Begins the Action of Our Deliverance (Mark 5:6-13) 6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. 7 And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me." 8 For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!" 9 Then He asked him, "What is your name?" And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many." 10 Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. 11 Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. 12 So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them." 13 And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea. Begins the action of worshiping God (6-7) Worship that keeps one focused on God (Ps 22:27-29) 27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, 28 for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations. 29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him those who cannot keep themselves alive. Worship that prepares an attitude of thanksgiving, reverence and awe (Heb 12:28) 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, Worship that aids in being prepared to come before God in humility and be ready to hear and accept His Words (Ps 95:6-8) 6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; 7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert, Worship that facilitates bringing an offering (Ps 96:8) 8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship that prepares one to come before God with gladness and joy (Ps 100:2) 2 Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Worship that refreshes (Ps 132:7-8) 7 "Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool 8 arise, O Lord, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. Worship that prepares one to offer his life and body as a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1) 12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God this is your spiritual act of worship. Worship that prepares one to be filled with the Holy Spirit (John 4:23-24) 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." Recognizing Jesus Page 6 of 11 SS Lesson for 10/11/09
Worship that prepares one to find help, through the mercy and grace of God, in the time of need (Heb 4:16) 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Begins the action of the removal of evil (8-13) Removal of evil because God does not take pleasure in evil (Ps 5:4) 4 You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell. Removal of evil because it comes from anger and wrath (Ps 37:8-9) 8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret it leads only to evil. 9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. Removal of evil because it should be shunned (Prov 3:7) 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. Removal of evil because it ensnares (Prov 5:22) 22 The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. Removal of evil because of the fear of the Lord (Prov 8:13) 13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Removal of evil so that God will forgive and heal (2 Chron 7:14) 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Removal of evil so that love is sincere (Rom 12:9) 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Removal of evil so that sin will be avoided (1 Thess 5:22) 22 Avoid every kind of evil. Removal of evil so that the word planted in us can be fully accepted (James 1:21) 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Removal of evil so that we can see good days (1 Peter 3:10-11) 10 For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. Recognizing Jesus Results In Our Deliverance (Mark 5:18-20) 18 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you." 20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled. Recognizing Jesus Page 7 of 11 SS Lesson for 10/11/09
Results in being with God (18) Being with God to learn (Deut 4:9-11) 9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. 10 Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, when he said to me, "Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children." 11 You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain while it blazed with fire to the very heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness. Being with God to hear His word (Deut 31:10-12) 10 Then Moses commanded them: "At the end of every seven years, in the year for canceling debts, during the Feast of Tabernacles, 11 when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God at the place he will choose, you shall read this law before them in their hearing. 12 Assemble the people men, women and children, and the aliens living in your towns so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of this law. Being with God to bind together in agreement and oath (Neh 10:28-29) 28 "The rest of the people priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants and all who separated themselves from the neighboring peoples for the sake of the Law of God, together with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand 29 all these now join their brothers the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord our Lord. Being with God for consecration (Joel 2:15-16) 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. 16 Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber. Being with God affords rest (Exodus 33:14) 14 The Lord replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Being with God comforts in trials (Isa 43:1-2) 43 But now, this is what the Lord says he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Being with God is promised until the end of time (Matt 28:19-20) 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Results in witnessing (19) Witnessing by making disciples of all nations (Matt 28:19-20) 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Recognizing Jesus Page 8 of 11 SS Lesson for 10/11/09
Witnessing through the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Witnessing by using God's word (Rom 10:17-18) 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. 18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." Witnessing is telling the truth of what you know (John 3:11-13) 11 I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? Ten elements of an effective witness (1 Thess 2:1-12) 1 You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure. 2 We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed-god is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, 7 but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. 8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 9 Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. 1. Be bold in God, persevering in spite of opposition 2. Be sure to be approved by God (only speaking those things that are OF GOD, not of self) 3. Know that witnessing is a "trust" from God. Be very alert of the accountability to God 4. Goal should be to please God, not man 5. Be gentle in presentation and attitude 6. Be loving 7. Be willing to share knowledge of God as well as personal experiences that relate to relationship with God 8. Do not be a burden to others 9. As much as possible, be righteous and blameless before others and God. To be otherwise hinders the witness 10. In all things and ways, be encouraging, comforting and earnest with others. Always looking to strengthen others in their relationship with God Witnessing is telling confident knowledge of God (Acts 26:24-29) 24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defense. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane." 25 "I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do." 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" 29 Paul replied, "Short time or long-i pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains." Recognizing Jesus Page 9 of 11 SS Lesson for 10/11/09
Conclusion and Other Thoughts Concluding Thoughts from the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary The story of the demoniac demonstrates the extent of God s mercy. It is freely available. It breaks traditional boundaries. It reaches to individuals on the fringes of society. As recipients of God s grace and mercy, our aim is to reach those whom the world has forgotten, those who have encountered the trials of this life and have been marginalized. Embracing a call to compassion is to love the unlovable, to reach the unreachable, to touch the untouchable. Consider the problems of the poor. Proverbs 19:7 tells us, A poor man is shunned by all his relatives how much more do his friends avoid him! Though he pursues them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found. How many people shut their eyes to the poor? But the poor are the very people who need a touch of God s grace the most. And keep in mind that the poor does not refer only to those who have little money. There are also those who are poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3). The Lord has done great things for you. Don t keep quiet! While those around us may not be in physical chains, they can be chained in other ways (such as by life circumstances). When we see others in chains, we can be the love of God to them in their hour of greatest need. Concluding Thoughts from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator Being possessed by a demon would no doubt be a terrifying matter. People in Jesus' day (particularly the Jews) often ostracized and always avoided the demon possessed certainly understandable as we read the lesson text. The man in this week's text was just such a one who had been abandoned by society. Mark 5:1 tells us that Jesus and His disciples went to "the country of the Gadarenes." As soon as they got off the boat, a demoniac met them. The fact that he "ran and worshipped him" (vs. 6) may show that the demons did not have absolute control over the man. That is important to remember. Satan has a limited amount of power. It is far more than we have, but only God is omnipotent. In the end, Jesus cast these demons out. After He did, the man wanted to follow Him. That is certainly understandable. Now he could go back and be with other people his friends. Jesus had restored his life. In fact, He had given him a greater life by far! But Jesus would not allow the man to follow. He told him, "Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee." It may be that the man had no family to go back to, but what is more important to focus on Is what Jesus wanted him to do. In a word, Jesus told him to spread the good news: the gospel. It is often said that one of the best proofs that a person has truly been regenerated is that he wants to tell other people about it. That certainly is an important point. It is important because God transforms a person in salvation. He (or she) is not the same. The outside may look the same, but on the inside, the person is completely different. So why did Jesus have to tell the man to tell others? Sometimes people need a bit of a nudge. Since the man wanted to stay with Him, Jesus had to point him in the right direction. Jesus also told him what to say. He was to tell others "how great things the Lord hath done for thee." The Greek word for "Lord" is the common word kurios, which can be translated as "sir" or "master." But it is also a synonym for the name of God, Yahweh. In every case in the Septuagint, the translators rendered the name of God (Yahweh) as kurios. That is how Jesus was using the word here. Those who say that Jesus did not claim to be God are ignoring the many times He used this word in this way. The last thing Jesus told the former demoniac was to tell others how the Lord had poured out compassion on him. Even unsaved people today acknowledge that Jesus was compassionate. They often stop short of acknowledging the reason He is truly God-but they do admit that He was good. As Christians, we are to be like Jesus. True, we do not go around casting out demons, but we can still show compassion to others. Too often we leave acts of mercy to the government. After all, we want to get our tax dollar's worth. But God wants us to be involved as Jesus was, for we are His hands and feet on earth. Practical Points from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator 1. Satan offers power but at the price of hopeless degradation (Mark 5:1-5) 2. We need not fear Satan or his demons, for they fear our Master (vs. 6-7) Recognizing Jesus Page 10 of 11 SS Lesson for 10/11/09
3. Satan seeks the control that Christ desires and Christ alone deserves (vs. 8-10) 4. Christ's power guarantees that even demons cannot do whatever they like (vs. 11-13) 5. Our lives are not on course if we do not have a strong desire to be with Jesus (vs. 18) 6. Genuine love for Jesus is measured by obedience to Him (vs. 19-20) Heart of the Lesson from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator Jesus and His disciples made their way across the Sea of Galilee to the eastern side (Mark 4:35-41). Their trip was not without incident. They encountered a fierce windstorm. The fear-stricken disciples witnessed the power of Jesus over nature as He calmed the storm. This was an object lesson on faith for their benefit. There was yet another lesson in store for the disciples when a demon possessed man recognized Jesus. The demon-possessed man (Mark 5:1-5) Upon reaching the shore, Jesus was confronted by a man tormented by a multitude of demons that indwelt him. In his tragic condition, the demonic distortion of the image of God was evident. The pathetic condition of this man is given in vivid detail. He was totally alienated from his family and community. Attempts to subdue him with foot irons and hand chains failed as he simply broke free of his bonds. He wandered day and night among the rock tomb caves cut into the nearby hills, yelling wildly and slashing himself with sharp stones. He was a wild beast of a man. The permission to the demons (Mark 5:6-10) When the man saw Jesus from a distance, he ran to Him and bowed down before Him. Jesus immediately commanded the multitude of demons to come out of him. The demons possessed this man so completely that Jesus' conversation was with them. The man's personality had been totally eclipsed by their power over him. The demons knew the true identity of Jesus. They recognized Him as the Son of God with superior power. The demons were terrified, for they knew that He threatened their existence. In desperation, they appealed to Jesus not to send them to the place of torment. They knew about hell and the impending final judgment awaiting the demon world there. An irony here is that the demons who so tormented a man desired exemption from torment for themselves. The destruction of the herd (Mark 5:11-13) The demons pleaded specifically for Jesus to send them into a herd of swine feeding nearby. They feared being disembodied. They knew they were subject to Christ's authority. Christ gave them permission to embody themselves in the swine. The herd was about two thousand strong, which gives some idea of the number of demons inhabiting this one man. Once the demons entered the swine, the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned. The demons were responsible for the destruction of the herd. Another irony is that the demon-possessed man's community was more concerned over the economic loss of the swine than the complete recovery and restoration of one of their own from a living hell (Mark 5:16-17). The mission of the transformed man (Mark 5:18-20) The man was restored to wholeness, being able to sit quietly, fully clothed and sane (vs. 15). He now had peace from what had troubled him within. He begged to go with Jesus as He was about to leave. The man had no fear of Jesus. Christ had other plans for this man. He was delivered from demonic bondage to enjoy his freedom and to witness about God's power and mercy. Jesus sent this formerly demon-possessed man back to the family and friends from whom he had been estranged. He obeyed and proclaimed his testimony throughout the region. Those who heard his testimony were astonished. Recognizing Jesus Page 11 of 11 SS Lesson for 10/11/09