Hey Gang,
Our series of miracles that Jesus performed takes an evil turn this week with the exorcism of a legion of demons all within one man!
When you think of the word evil, what comes to mind?
Many of us don't want to believe that evil spirits are among us. Many of us don't even think about demons, it's too scary! Maybe you have heard some weird ideas about demonic influence. Maybe the exorcism of Emily Rose is just too far fetched for your belief.
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An exorcism is one change Jesus can make, and this lesson does want you to recognize the power of evil that exists even today, but more importantly that you put your confidence in Jesus' greater power to restore wholeness to our lives - however you might be possessed. Maybe Jesus has been working in your life, but your friends and family aren't warming up to the changes He's made. These are some interesting thoughts for this week's lesson.
Summary
When Jesus and the disciples landed by ship in Gentile territory, a man with an unclean spirit met them. This man was in a pitiful and frightening condition. He fell down before Jesus and asked Him not to torment him. When Jesus asked the man’s name, the demoniac said, “My name is Legion: for we are many.” The demons asked permission to enter a herd of pigs. When Jesus gave permission, the pigs ran into the sea and drowned. When the people the man had terrorized came to see him, they found him clothed and in his right mind. The healed man asked to go with Jesus. The Lord told the man to go home and tell how Jesus had compassion on him and healed him.
I. JESUS CONQUERS EVIL – MARK 5:1-3, 6-13a
Demons Driven Out by the Master
1 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 As soon as He got out of the boat, a man with an unclean spirit came out of the tombs and met Him. 3 He lived in the tombs. No one was able to restrain him any more—even with chains —
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6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and knelt down before Him. 7 And he cried out with a loud voice, "What do You have to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You before God, don't torment me!" 8 For He had told him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!" 9 "What is your name?" He asked him. "My name is Legion," he answered Him, "because we are many." 10 And he kept begging Him not to send them out of the region. 11 Now a large herd of pigs was there, feeding on the hillside. 12 The demons begged Him, "Send us to the pigs, so we may enter them." 13 And He gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs, and the herd of about 2,000 rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned there.
What important lessons can we learn about demons from observing Jesus in this situation?
How could Jesus remain so calm in the face of such evil? How can we remain calm?
Points:
1. Demon-possessed people are controlled by evil spirits.
2. Such people are in a pitiful condition from which they cannot set themselves free.
3. Family and friends often try unsuccessfully to help them.
4. Such persons are drawn to Jesus, but they fear what He will do.
5. Jesus can cast the evil spirits out of people’s lives.
6. Jesus places primary concern on human welfare.
7. Jesus views such people not as cases to study but as people to help.
II. JESUS MAKES US WHOLE – MARK 5:15-17
15 They came to Jesus and saw the man who had been demon-possessed by the legion, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 The eyewitnesses described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and [told] about the pigs. 17 Then they began to beg Him to leave their region.
Are all changes in people this instantaneous? Does a gradual change mean no miracle occurred? Why do you think some transformations to wholeness are instant and others gradual? Why is gradual transformation to wholeness as much, maybe more, of a miracle?
Why might Jesus’ transformational work in someone’s life be frightening or threatening to other people, even believers? What can we experience if we choose to embrace rather than be afraid of Jesus’ transformational power?
Points:
1. Before people come to Christ, their lives are less than they should be.
2. In Christ we are made whole.
III. JESUS GIVES US RESPONSIBILITY – MARK 5:18-20
18 As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed kept begging Him to be with Him. 19 But He would not let him; instead, He told him, "Go back home to your own people, and report to them how much the Lord has done for you and how He has had mercy on you." 20 So he went out and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and they were all amazed.
Why would Jesus honor the requests of the demons and the townspeople but not the request of this man He’d just made whole?
What do you find significant about where Jesus told the man to go?
Points:
1. Those whom Jesus delivers want to be with Him.
2. Jesus tells us where and how to serve Him.
3. Those whom Jesus delivers from evil should tell others of God’s power and mercy.
4. We should begin by telling the good news to family and friends, and then we should tell everyone.
Casting out demons was one of Jesus’ miracles. Mark 5:1-20 is the longest account of such a miracle. When Jesus and the disciples first encountered the man, he was living as an outcast because of his bizarre behavior. The man wanted to come to Jesus but also turned away from Him. Jesus confronted the army of demons that possessed the man and cast them out. The man was totally transformed. This is a sign that Jesus not only saves but also makes whole those who come to Him.
Think about this:
What did Jesus reveal about Himself with this miracle? Why do people who are not demon possessed or outwardly struggling still need the supernatural power of Christ to put together their broken pieces? Are the demons so evident in this passage still real in our world today? Why must Christians be aware of but not obsessed with the reality of the power of Satan and his evil spirits?
I hope everyone has had a blessed week and that you take some time this week to read this week's lesson and give some real thought to the supernatural powers that surround us today.
In His Love,
David & Susan
