Miracles of Jesus - Part 14

Gadarene Demonics
Mark 5:1-20; Matthew 8:28-34; Luke 8:26-39

The subject of demons and demon possession has always been a debatable subject. Bible-believing Christians have always accepted the fact of demons and their activity in New Testament times, but most are inclined to relegate demonic activity in these days to pagan lands. However, like it or not, demons and demonic activity are likely to increase in the days to come. Apostle Paul tells us that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of the darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).

What does it mean to be possessed with demons? Some people say that there is a difference between being obsessed, oppressed, and possessed. However, the Bible does not make those distinctions. Although a definition of demon possession might be helpful, it can also be limiting. Remember that demonic activity is a supernatural reality and we are not able to go any further than the Bible takes us in comprehending it. Demon possession is a condition in which one or more demons inhabit the body of a human being with the purpose of controlling it.

The characteristics of this man that reveal he was under the influence of a demon was, first, the personality change of this man, he was a different person under demonic influence. It is something like the behavior and personality change in a man who is intoxicated. Second, was his identity and individuality was taken over by demons in him. When Jesus asked his name the man answered, “Legion, for we are many” (Mark 5:9). Those who have witnessed demon possession tell us that each demon has its own distinct personality and that the individual possessed begins to manifest the distinct personality of the demon by which he is possessed.

Third, was the conduct of the man; he was anti-social.

Fourth, was the spiritual insight of the man, he instantly recognized Jesus to be the Son of God (Mark 5:7). There was a source of spiritual insight beyond human capabilities here. In addition, Matthew includes the question, “Have You come here to torment us before the time?” (Matthew 8:29). This reveals to us that demons have an intuitive knowledge of their impending doom.

Fifth, was the super-human strength of the man. Super-human strength is frequently associated with demon possession. The demoniac was uncontrollable by any of the normal means of human confinement. No matter what men attempted to bind him with, he broke loose. No one was strong enough to subdue him (Mark 5:3-4).

Sixth, another indication of demon-possession is the consent torment and tendency toward self-destruction.

Demons are powerful, but we need not fear them as Christians, for the Spirit of the One who has permanently sealed their defeat indwells us.
When the demoniac saw Jesus, he cried out, “What business do we have with each other, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” In other words, the demons who controlled this man asked, “Why are you bothering us? Why are You here?” In Mark 5:6, we are told when the man saw Jesus he ran up to Him and bowed down before Jesus. It is incredible that the demons should bow before Jesus, but they did, because they knew exactly who He was. As fallen angels who participated in Satan's rebellion against God, they were well acquainted with Him and Jesus His Son, the Second Person of the Trinity. Therefore, those particular demons knew that Jesus was their antagonist as well as their judge.

Think of it, beings that were damned for all eternity and knew it, could not resist bowing before Jesus, because they knew of His ultimate power. They realized that Jesus was there too soon to be judging them. They knew that Jesus was Christ, the Son of the living God and they knew that they were to be damned forever. Therefore, they bowed the knee to Christ, their judge.

The demons knew it was inevitable that they would be cast out, because they also knew of Jesus’ compassion for those whom they held captive. Consequently, they made a strange request: they wanted to inhabit a herd of swine. Why would they want to inhabit a herd of swine? We do not know, but maybe the demons, desiring a home, thought that their request to possess the swine would be acceptable to Jesus, who did not want the demons inhabiting people. Most probably, the demons feared being sent to the bottomless pit (Luke 8:31). Possibly, they wanted to destroy the swine so people would kill Jesus for having brought about the slaughter of the herd. We can only speculate. However, whatever the reason, Jesus told the demons, “Go, and they came out and went into the swine.”

When men try to cast out demons, they work hard to get the demons to cooperate; but when Christ comes along; all the demons want to know is where they are allowed to go. Realizing that demons are powerful beings that men cannot effectively deal with on the supernatural level, one can see how ludicrous it is for people to think they can cast out demons by their cleverness. Demons are incredibly powerful. Therefore, the only way that man can handle them is by putting on the armor of God and being strong “in the Lord and in the strength of His might” (Ephesians 6:10-11). Only the power of the Lord Jesus Christ could cast demons into the bottomless pit (Revelation 20:3), and He displayed His power by casting them out of the man.

The reality of His miracle was clear to those observing when a normally peaceful herd of pigs raced toward a cliff, dove in the water, and drowned, while at the same time, the individuals that had previously been demonized was sitting, clothed and in his right mind. The bystanders saw a deliverance they would never forget. Furthermore, Jesus' exorcism portrayed the destructive nature of demons and gave them a preview of their coming destruction. When the herdsmen saw that their pigs had committed mass suicide by racing like maniacs into the water, they took off for the city as fast as they could go and reported what had happened (Mark 5:14).

The supernatural power of Jesus caused the townspeople to panic. Supernatural things make men uncomfortable. The people from the city were absolutely panicked by the presence of Jesus in their midst. Instead of falling at His feet in worship, they said, “Go away; we do not want you in our city.”

People think that if everybody could see miracles, they would believe. Unfortunately, many of the people who saw the miracles of Christ did not believe, they nailed Him to a cross instead. Some people, when exposed to the awesomeness of a holy God, want nothing to do with Him because they love their darkness. They are like bugs under a rock that run for cover as soon as they are exposed to light.

The fearful people who wanted Jesus out of their country never did break His compassion or mercy for them, for He left them at least one missionary as living proof of His mighty power. How wonderful that the grace of Christ is extended even to those who do not want it.

Jesus granted the only request of these residents, which was for Him to leave. As Jesus began to get back into the boat, the delivered demoniac pleaded with Him that he might accompany Him. He who feared His arrival now dreaded His departure. Jesus refused this request and commissioned this delivered man to return to his own people and declare to them what God had done for him. His greatest impact would be on those who knew his former state.

In this miracle we, learn much about the demonic spirits. They are unclean spirits, who can possess men and animals. Their influence and control leads to untold agony and destruction. Demonic influence further destroys man’s reflection of God as originally designed. Demons have great spiritual insight and reluctantly submit to Jesus as Lord of all. They look forward to their future with great dread. They greatly desire to enter and control a physical body, whereby they may reflect their character and attributes.

Although the Gospels give us little information, as to how individuals become targets of satanic control. We do know the house that is left swept and clean is a likely target for Satanic influence (Matthew 12:43-45). Whenever a man, woman, or child surrenders control of himself either to fleshly desires or by some form of self-emptying, such as various forms of eastern meditation, they are in a precarious position.

The lesson of this miracle is that Satan is a defeated foe. When our Lord confronted the demons, they had to submit to His power and authority. By His power, we too, are able to overcome Satan’s treacheries; demons cannot even possess pigs without prior permission from our Lord. As the servant of Elisha was told, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:16).

Some today have given demons far more than their due by blaming demons for every malady of mankind. There is the so-called demon of doubt, of anger, of overindulgence, of drunkenness, laziness and so on. Let me say as graciously as I can, Satan does not need to work on us in those areas as we are doing very well without his exploitation. There is, as we know, the world, the flesh, and the Devil. However, for most of us, the world and the flesh are all that are necessary to cause us to stumble. Men in their unbelief suppose that the choice is either to be free, independent of God, or to be the slaves of Christ. That is not the choice at all. The choice is to be free by submission to Christ, or to be the pawns of Satan. Unbelieving men may not rave and carry on like the Gerasenes demoniac, but they are nevertheless under Satan’s control, doing his bidding. There is no true freedom and fulfillment apart from Jesus Christ, the Creator and Redeemer of men.

Finally, there is in demon possession a counterpart to the filling of the Holy Spirit. Just as demons desire to possess persons through whom they can exhibit their personalities, so the Spirit of God indwells man, imparting new life, and progressively gaining control so that the character of God is exhibited, but not in such a way as to hinder our individuality and identity. May the Spirit of God be so evident in us that men may see God in our lives.