“Now the herdsmen ran off and spread the news in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man sitting there, clothed and in his right mind – the one who had the “Legion” – and they were afraid. Those who had seen what had happened to the demon-possessed man reported it, and they also told about the pigs. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their region. As he was getting into the boat the man who had been demon-possessed asked if he could go with him. But Jesus did not permit him to do so. Instead, he said to him, “Go to your home and to your people and tell them what the Lord has done for you, that he had mercy on you.” So he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him, and all were amazed.” —Mark 5:14-20
It is interesting to note the differing responses to this amazing event. And it is important to remember that miracles do not save, they merely point to the One who does. In our verses for today, we see three reactions to the miracle Jesus performed.
Next, we see the townspeople coming out to see what the hoopla is all about. These people are curious. They discover the demoniac now delivered, yet the pigs drowned, and they don’t appreciate the tradeoff in the least. This man’s life was not worth the economic loss to them–and they feared even greater losses. Fearful that Jesus will take away more than He will provide, they choose the temporal over the eternal and beg Jesus to leave their region.
Then there is the healed demoniac. The one that lived in his personal hell on earth, the one that wailed and moaned in his darkness and depravity, the one who felt his skin being torn by his gnashing and cuttings, the one Jesus delivered with His Word. It is not so surprising to see his reaction of overwhelming appreciation and love. Jesus had saved him, and his response was love towards the Master.
This healed man’s grateful response was similar to adoration shone by the sinful woman who anointed Jesus by washing His feet with her tears and wiping them with her hair while the Pharisees sneered. Jesus affirmed her actions just as He did this healed man’s response:
“Then, turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I entered your house. You gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss of greeting, but from the time I entered she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfumed oil. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which were many, are forgiven, thus she loved much; but the one who is forgiven little loves little.’” —Luke 7:44-47
It is easy to compare ourselves to others and think we are not all that bad. When we look around us instead of above us perhaps we do not seem like we need a Savior at all. And yet, every soul born from Adam is in need of saving. Scripture tells us that no one is righteous not even one. Scripture tells us that all have sinned and fall short of God’s standard. And Scripture tells us that every sin carries with it a death sentence. Those that know Jesus know this. Jesus says to each one of us much the same thing He said to the healed demoniac: “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
Take It to Heart
“He was in the world, and the world was created by him, but the world did not recognize him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not receive him. But to all who have received him – those who believe in his name – he has given the right to become God’s children – children not born by human parents or by human desire or a husband’s decision, but by God.” —John 1:10-13
The demoniac was freed from his chains and was obedient to the Lord’s Word. He became an evangelist by merely telling what Jesus had done for him. What has Jesus done for you? What is your response to Him? Are you sharing your story?
Further Reflections
First, we discover those tending the pigs running to the town and countryside shouting forth the phenomenon–much akin to the fervor or emotionalism of seeing a magic show or some circus event. They were fueled by excitement, but not faith.“We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by ‘looking unto Jesus’. Keep thine eye simply on Him; let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, His intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to Him; when thou liest down at night look to Him. Oh! Let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after Him, and He will never fail thee.” —C. H. Spurgeon