WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.840 As we come to God's Word, let me pray for us. 00:00:06.360 --> 00:00:11.419 Father, as we prayed earlier in our service, so now we pray again. 00:00:13.160 --> 00:00:14.320 Come, Holy Spirit. 00:00:17.339 --> 00:00:22.539 Would you come as we read the Word that you have inspired and preserved through many ages 00:00:22.539 --> 00:00:28.920 about our living Lord Jesus, would you come and help us to see you more clearly 00:00:28.920 --> 00:00:33.039 and to understand your deep grace for us through your Word? 00:00:34.020 --> 00:00:35.539 We pray this in Christ's name. Amen. 00:00:36.920 --> 00:00:40.400 All right, Mark chapter 5, verses 1 through 20. Let me read for us. 00:00:43.100 --> 00:00:46.740 They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. 00:00:47.640 --> 00:00:51.240 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him, 00:00:51.520 --> 00:00:54.100 out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. 00:00:54.100 --> 00:01:00.500 He lived among the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 00:01:01.200 --> 00:01:05.939 For he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, 00:01:06.560 --> 00:01:08.000 and he broke the shackles in pieces. 00:01:08.900 --> 00:01:11.060 No one had the strength to subdue him. 00:01:11.960 --> 00:01:15.620 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out 00:01:15.620 --> 00:01:17.480 and cutting himself with stones. 00:01:18.340 --> 00:01:22.680 And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. 00:01:22.680 --> 00:01:25.440 And crying out with a loud voice, he said, 00:01:25.920 --> 00:01:29.080 What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? 00:01:29.500 --> 00:01:31.660 I adjure you by God, do not torment me. 00:01:32.380 --> 00:01:36.100 For he was saying to him, Come out of the man, you unclean spirit. 00:01:37.240 --> 00:01:39.380 And Jesus asked him, What is your name? 00:01:40.200 --> 00:01:43.180 And he replied, My name is Legion, for we are many. 00:01:44.320 --> 00:01:47.060 And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. 00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:50.320 Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, 00:01:50.319 --> 00:01:53.579 and they begged him, saying, Send us to the pigs. 00:01:53.879 --> 00:01:54.639 Let us enter them. 00:01:55.619 --> 00:01:56.799 So he gave them permission. 00:01:57.639 --> 00:02:00.559 And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs. 00:02:01.099 --> 00:02:05.659 And the herd, numbering about 2,000, rushed down the steep bank into the sea 00:02:05.659 --> 00:02:07.179 and drowned in the sea. 00:02:08.759 --> 00:02:11.680 The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. 00:02:12.199 --> 00:02:14.759 And people came to see what it was that had happened. 00:02:14.759 --> 00:02:18.699 And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, 00:02:19.099 --> 00:02:23.959 the one who had had the Legion sitting there, clothed and in his right mind. 00:02:24.419 --> 00:02:25.500 And they were afraid. 00:02:26.859 --> 00:02:31.280 And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man 00:02:31.280 --> 00:02:32.419 and to the pigs. 00:02:33.299 --> 00:02:35.959 And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region. 00:02:35.960 --> 00:02:41.420 As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him 00:02:41.420 --> 00:02:42.420 that he might be with him. 00:02:43.780 --> 00:02:46.819 And he did not permit him, but said to him, Go home to your friends 00:02:46.819 --> 00:02:50.040 and tell them how much the Lord has done for you 00:02:50.040 --> 00:02:52.540 and how he has had mercy on you. 00:02:53.760 --> 00:02:57.480 And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis 00:02:57.480 --> 00:02:59.460 how much Jesus had done for him. 00:03:00.260 --> 00:03:01.900 And everyone marveled. 00:03:01.900 --> 00:03:07.680 So if you were here in the fall when we began our series in Mark's Gospel, 00:03:07.819 --> 00:03:11.400 you'll remember that Mark wrote his account of the life of Jesus 00:03:11.400 --> 00:03:13.259 to answer a few key questions. 00:03:14.120 --> 00:03:14.840 Who is Jesus? 00:03:15.599 --> 00:03:16.700 Why did he come? 00:03:17.500 --> 00:03:18.780 What does it mean to follow him? 00:03:20.280 --> 00:03:21.960 And where we left off the story in November 00:03:21.960 --> 00:03:25.580 was with Jesus demonstrating his unparalleled power 00:03:25.580 --> 00:03:27.420 over the material creation. 00:03:27.920 --> 00:03:30.379 At the end of chapter 4, we saw that with just a word, 00:03:30.379 --> 00:03:32.759 he calmed a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee. 00:03:33.900 --> 00:03:36.979 But here in chapter 5, Jesus and his disciples step out of the boat 00:03:36.979 --> 00:03:39.039 to find a different sort of storm. 00:03:40.139 --> 00:03:43.419 This storm isn't outside, it's inside. 00:03:44.659 --> 00:03:49.259 They meet a man with a violent storm of chaos and destruction inside of him. 00:03:50.919 --> 00:03:55.439 And what we learn from this encounter is that Jesus has unparalleled power, 00:03:55.439 --> 00:03:59.780 not just over the material world, but over the spiritual world as well. 00:04:01.379 --> 00:04:05.840 Mark shows us that Jesus is the Lord of all things seen and unseen. 00:04:07.960 --> 00:04:12.340 Now, Mark 5 verses 1 through 20 is perhaps the most detailed account 00:04:12.340 --> 00:04:15.740 in the Gospels of Jesus healing a person afflicted by demon possession. 00:04:16.420 --> 00:04:20.920 So it's a text that brings us face to face with personal spiritual evil 00:04:20.920 --> 00:04:22.819 and Jesus' encounter with it. 00:04:22.819 --> 00:04:28.819 So as we consider this text together, let's consider first the reality of spiritual evil, 00:04:29.040 --> 00:04:31.860 and then we'll look at the gravity of it, 00:04:32.439 --> 00:04:35.959 and then finally Jesus' powerful victory over it. 00:04:36.759 --> 00:04:39.360 So first, the reality of spiritual evil. 00:04:39.420 --> 00:04:40.459 Look at verses 1 and 2. 00:04:40.459 --> 00:04:43.339 They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. 00:04:43.459 --> 00:04:47.859 That is the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee, which was predominantly a Gentile region. 00:04:48.339 --> 00:04:51.680 And when Jesus stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs, 00:04:51.759 --> 00:04:54.639 a man with an unclean spirit. 00:04:56.419 --> 00:05:02.319 So according to the Bible, there is such a thing as personal spiritual beings. 00:05:02.319 --> 00:05:07.159 When God created the world, he didn't just choose to display his glory 00:05:07.159 --> 00:05:10.459 through the manifold beauties of a material created order, 00:05:10.699 --> 00:05:13.019 but of a spiritual created order as well. 00:05:13.899 --> 00:05:15.860 Think of a great composer, right? 00:05:15.959 --> 00:05:19.659 Great composers are masters of melody, of course, 00:05:20.319 --> 00:05:21.560 but not just melody. 00:05:21.680 --> 00:05:23.399 They're masters of harmony as well. 00:05:24.159 --> 00:05:28.759 If you think of a piece of music, a great composer can make the notes sound interesting and beautiful, 00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:30.680 not just going this way, right? 00:05:30.680 --> 00:05:35.579 But they can make the notes sound beautiful and interesting this way, too, on a sheet of music. 00:05:37.060 --> 00:05:40.360 So when God wanted to display his glory through the act of creation, 00:05:41.100 --> 00:05:46.240 like a great composer, he wasn't just restrained to melody or restrained just to harmony. 00:05:47.040 --> 00:05:51.220 His glory overflowed in a material and spiritual order. 00:05:52.340 --> 00:05:58.840 He's the maker of heaven and earth, of all things seen and unseen, as the Nicene Creed says. 00:06:00.680 --> 00:06:04.519 So according to the Bible, there is such a thing as personal spiritual beings, 00:06:04.620 --> 00:06:06.259 angels created by God for his glory. 00:06:07.180 --> 00:06:10.860 But among these personal spiritual beings, some rebelled. 00:06:11.900 --> 00:06:17.300 And rather than worshiping and serving God, they stand opposed to God and God's kingdom. 00:06:18.259 --> 00:06:24.639 The Bible has various names for these fallen angels, unclean spirits, demons, principalities and powers. 00:06:24.639 --> 00:06:29.839 And at the head of their rebellion, one called Satan or the devil. 00:06:31.279 --> 00:06:37.639 And rather than play the harmony of God's good creation, they seek to disharmonize and destroy. 00:06:39.539 --> 00:06:44.360 So according to Scripture, according to Jesus himself, personal spiritual evil is a very real thing. 00:06:44.360 --> 00:06:49.300 And for most times and places, this hasn't been a very controversial point. 00:06:50.939 --> 00:06:56.660 But you know, maybe for you and me today, it's not so easy to believe something like that. 00:06:57.400 --> 00:07:01.520 Maybe you have a hard time accepting this reality of spiritual good and evil. 00:07:02.340 --> 00:07:04.420 Well, if that's true, let me offer a few things to consider, 00:07:04.540 --> 00:07:06.780 things that have helped me wrap my mind around this reality. 00:07:06.939 --> 00:07:12.460 First, we can sometimes think that belief in demons is sort of simplistic or naive. 00:07:12.459 --> 00:07:17.680 But actually, you know, the biblical picture isn't simplistic at all. 00:07:18.219 --> 00:07:19.819 It's actually quite robust. 00:07:20.560 --> 00:07:22.699 You know, you read the Gospels and you'll see, 00:07:22.819 --> 00:07:27.039 you'll see there an analysis of the human condition that takes into account the physical 00:07:27.039 --> 00:07:31.039 and the emotional and the social and the structural. 00:07:32.339 --> 00:07:34.459 None of these things eliminated or ruled out. 00:07:34.620 --> 00:07:38.859 They all are considered and given gravity and weight and importance. 00:07:38.860 --> 00:07:44.139 But the Bible acknowledges that there is also a spiritual dimension to reality. 00:07:46.319 --> 00:07:49.060 We sometimes think that if we admit the reality of spiritual beings, 00:07:49.160 --> 00:07:51.840 we'll have to put on blinders to every other aspect of reality. 00:07:51.879 --> 00:07:52.780 But that's not true. 00:07:54.319 --> 00:07:55.580 In fact, just the opposite. 00:07:55.720 --> 00:07:58.780 The mindset that says everything must have a material cause, 00:07:58.860 --> 00:08:00.860 that's actually the oversimplification. 00:08:00.860 --> 00:08:04.759 Indeed, the Bible gives us a more robust, 00:08:04.900 --> 00:08:07.259 a more sophisticated analysis of reality. 00:08:07.580 --> 00:08:08.860 It refuses to oversimplify. 00:08:11.660 --> 00:08:14.819 Second, we can sometimes think that belief in personal spiritual evil 00:08:14.819 --> 00:08:16.879 is somehow primitive or narrow. 00:08:19.100 --> 00:08:20.699 But, you know, if you were to travel to many, 00:08:20.780 --> 00:08:22.520 if not most places in the world today, 00:08:22.860 --> 00:08:24.920 Africa, Asia, Latin America, 00:08:25.520 --> 00:08:28.920 you'd find there that the reality of spiritual evil is readily acknowledged. 00:08:28.920 --> 00:08:34.060 And surely we wouldn't want to say that all of those cultures or places 00:08:34.060 --> 00:08:35.899 are primitive or narrow, would we? 00:08:36.899 --> 00:08:39.460 Are you willing to make that sweeping cultural judgment? 00:08:41.759 --> 00:08:44.560 Perhaps it's our own culture that's made us narrow-sided. 00:08:45.500 --> 00:08:47.980 Perhaps we need to be willing to learn from others. 00:08:50.500 --> 00:08:53.440 But third, if we aren't willing to believe in the reality of spiritual evil, 00:08:53.519 --> 00:08:57.800 we simply aren't equipped to deal with the depth of what's wrong in the world. 00:08:57.799 --> 00:09:02.740 I think a lot of times we're afraid that believing the Bible on this point 00:09:02.740 --> 00:09:06.579 will make us superstitious, that is kind of overly believing. 00:09:07.279 --> 00:09:09.659 We fear that we'll end up with an overbelief, 00:09:09.699 --> 00:09:12.859 an overbelief that everything is the fault of the devil or spiritual forces 00:09:12.859 --> 00:09:16.179 and that we'll not take stock of the very real social or psychological 00:09:16.179 --> 00:09:18.259 or material causes of brokenness in the world. 00:09:18.259 --> 00:09:23.039 But what if there's an equal but opposite danger, 00:09:23.139 --> 00:09:25.379 not of being superstitious, of being overbelieving, 00:09:25.480 --> 00:09:28.299 but of being substitious, of being underbelieving? 00:09:31.399 --> 00:09:36.740 You see, if we only think that the human problem is material or social or psychological, 00:09:36.879 --> 00:09:40.159 if we don't see that there's also a very real spiritual dimension 00:09:40.159 --> 00:09:41.659 and spiritual battle at work, 00:09:41.659 --> 00:09:45.539 then we'll never get to the depth of what's wrong. 00:09:46.899 --> 00:09:48.959 And if we never get to the depth of what's wrong, 00:09:49.539 --> 00:09:52.500 we'll never get to the sort of freedom that we're longing for. 00:09:54.219 --> 00:09:56.899 And as we see in our passage, that's what Jesus has come to bring, 00:09:57.159 --> 00:09:58.740 real freedom and wholeness. 00:10:01.299 --> 00:10:04.000 So we see first in our text the reality of spiritual evil. 00:10:04.120 --> 00:10:06.480 Next, we see the gravity of it. 00:10:07.480 --> 00:10:09.720 Let's pick up again in verse 2 and read through verse 5. 00:10:09.720 --> 00:10:11.120 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, 00:10:11.480 --> 00:10:14.100 immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. 00:10:14.920 --> 00:10:17.740 He lived among the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, 00:10:17.800 --> 00:10:18.759 not even with a chain. 00:10:19.300 --> 00:10:21.379 For he had often been bound with shackles and chains, 00:10:21.440 --> 00:10:24.279 but he wrenched the chains apart and broke the shackles in pieces. 00:10:24.800 --> 00:10:26.680 No one had the strength to subdue him. 00:10:27.259 --> 00:10:29.259 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains, 00:10:29.360 --> 00:10:32.100 he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. 00:10:33.920 --> 00:10:35.519 Now, many commentators have pointed out 00:10:35.519 --> 00:10:38.080 that what the demons are working toward in this man 00:10:38.080 --> 00:10:41.060 is the utter defacing of God's image. 00:10:42.180 --> 00:10:44.139 Notice, he's among the tombs, 00:10:44.320 --> 00:10:46.180 and he's crying out like an animal. 00:10:46.780 --> 00:10:48.660 His humanity is being undone. 00:10:50.060 --> 00:10:52.780 So we see here that Satan's goal is to dehumanize 00:10:52.780 --> 00:10:54.900 and to denigrate, above all, 00:10:54.940 --> 00:10:58.340 the one thing in creation that displays God's glory the best, 00:10:59.360 --> 00:11:00.900 the men and women made in God's image. 00:11:00.899 --> 00:11:04.240 He truly is the enemy of our souls. 00:11:05.779 --> 00:11:07.959 And of course, part of what makes this event so memorable 00:11:07.959 --> 00:11:10.799 to the disciples and part of why Mark includes it 00:11:10.799 --> 00:11:12.179 in his account of Jesus' life 00:11:12.179 --> 00:11:14.399 is because of how grave and desperate 00:11:14.399 --> 00:11:15.980 this man's situation really was. 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:18.259 This was no minor spiritual attack. 00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:20.659 This was a full onslaught of spiritual darkness. 00:11:20.799 --> 00:11:22.519 In fact, as we learn in verse 9, 00:11:22.620 --> 00:11:25.360 a whole host of demons had been afflicting this man. 00:11:26.360 --> 00:11:29.659 Legion, after all, was the name of a Roman military unit 00:11:29.659 --> 00:11:33.019 that numbered upwards sometimes of 6,000 troops. 00:11:34.299 --> 00:11:36.879 So just as the Roman legions had conquered 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:39.620 and oppressed the whole of Palestine during this time, 00:11:39.919 --> 00:11:43.620 so this demonic legion had conquered and oppressed this man. 00:11:46.559 --> 00:11:48.259 But you know, when we read of how grave 00:11:48.259 --> 00:11:49.759 and desperate this man's condition was, 00:11:49.799 --> 00:11:50.500 we need to be careful. 00:11:51.980 --> 00:11:53.860 We need to be careful not to think 00:11:53.860 --> 00:11:56.639 that this extreme case has no relevance for us. 00:11:56.639 --> 00:12:00.919 Perhaps you've never encountered demonic activity 00:12:00.919 --> 00:12:02.019 in such a blatant form. 00:12:03.080 --> 00:12:05.139 If not, be thankful you haven't. 00:12:06.960 --> 00:12:08.980 But that doesn't mean you and I are immune 00:12:08.980 --> 00:12:10.679 from very real spiritual battle. 00:12:11.039 --> 00:12:13.919 In 1 Peter 5, 8, the apostle Peter reminds the whole church 00:12:13.919 --> 00:12:15.960 to be sober-minded, be watchful. 00:12:16.059 --> 00:12:17.740 Your adversary, the devil, prowls around 00:12:17.740 --> 00:12:20.439 like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. 00:12:21.759 --> 00:12:25.019 In Ephesians 6, 11, the apostle Paul tells every Christian 00:12:25.019 --> 00:12:26.460 to put on the whole armor of God 00:12:26.460 --> 00:12:29.039 that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 00:12:30.679 --> 00:12:33.019 In fact, when we look at this man's condition in Mark 5, 00:12:33.740 --> 00:12:37.079 we see there, yes, an aggravated and extreme form, 00:12:37.139 --> 00:12:38.460 but we see there two strategies 00:12:38.460 --> 00:12:40.960 that Satan uses against every person. 00:12:43.600 --> 00:12:46.019 Notice first how the man seems to have supernatural strength. 00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:49.360 Chains and shackles can't hold him. 00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:51.639 No one has the strength to subdue him. 00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:55.879 But what's become seemingly true of this man 00:12:55.879 --> 00:12:56.980 through demonic activity 00:12:56.980 --> 00:13:01.600 is also a picture of how Satan tempts us to think 00:13:01.600 --> 00:13:03.759 in everyday temptation. 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:08.039 Think about what's going on 00:13:08.039 --> 00:13:09.960 when you experience temptation. 00:13:11.259 --> 00:13:12.560 Isn't it as if, 00:13:13.019 --> 00:13:15.639 isn't it as if your internal talk 00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:17.699 is saying something like this, 00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:18.819 I can do this. 00:13:20.059 --> 00:13:22.039 I'm strong enough to handle this. 00:13:22.840 --> 00:13:24.019 It won't hurt me. 00:13:24.899 --> 00:13:26.659 After all, I deserve this. 00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:31.259 Satan wants us to think that we're strong, 00:13:31.740 --> 00:13:33.819 that we have the power in ourselves 00:13:33.819 --> 00:13:36.679 to do what we choose and want to do. 00:13:37.519 --> 00:13:38.939 And he wants to hide from us 00:13:38.939 --> 00:13:41.279 the holiness and authority of God. 00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:44.700 Will we end up breaking chains and shackles? 00:13:44.700 --> 00:13:45.420 Probably not. 00:13:47.140 --> 00:13:48.560 But Satan wants us to act 00:13:48.560 --> 00:13:49.680 as if we are the authority 00:13:49.680 --> 00:13:51.280 that we have the strength and power 00:13:51.280 --> 00:13:52.360 to do as we wish. 00:13:54.960 --> 00:13:55.820 But as we see here, 00:13:55.900 --> 00:13:57.400 temptation and sin 00:13:57.400 --> 00:13:59.980 always leads to loneliness and to death. 00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:02.960 This man lived among the tombs. 00:14:04.020 --> 00:14:05.240 Satan promised him power, 00:14:05.379 --> 00:14:06.320 but what was the return? 00:14:07.420 --> 00:14:09.060 The return was like a living death. 00:14:11.440 --> 00:14:12.960 But notice the second thing in verse 5. 00:14:12.960 --> 00:14:14.720 Night and day among the tombs 00:14:14.720 --> 00:14:15.240 and on the mountains, 00:14:15.340 --> 00:14:16.480 he was always crying out 00:14:16.480 --> 00:14:18.240 and cutting himself with stones. 00:14:18.820 --> 00:14:19.600 On the one hand, 00:14:19.700 --> 00:14:20.620 Satan is a tempter, 00:14:20.700 --> 00:14:21.900 trying to get us to believe the lie 00:14:21.900 --> 00:14:22.540 that we're strong, 00:14:22.820 --> 00:14:24.080 autonomous, self-reliant. 00:14:24.220 --> 00:14:25.000 But on the other hand, 00:14:25.080 --> 00:14:25.960 Satan is an accuser. 00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:27.879 That's literally what the word Satan means, 00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:28.820 the accuser. 00:14:29.600 --> 00:14:31.160 He accuses us of all our guilt 00:14:31.160 --> 00:14:32.080 and failure, 00:14:32.259 --> 00:14:33.700 and we end up miserable, 00:14:33.940 --> 00:14:34.600 torn up inside, 00:14:34.740 --> 00:14:35.500 hating ourselves. 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:38.759 This man was always crying out, 00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:40.120 cutting himself with stones. 00:14:41.860 --> 00:14:43.500 Satan tries to hide our view 00:14:43.500 --> 00:14:45.639 of the mercy and love of God 00:14:45.639 --> 00:14:47.740 so that we end up 00:14:47.740 --> 00:14:49.600 racked with self-loathing 00:14:49.600 --> 00:14:50.240 and despair, 00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:52.200 crushed by our own failures. 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:56.500 Do you see either of these dynamics 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:57.360 in your own life, 00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:59.159 in your own heart? 00:14:59.159 --> 00:15:01.719 On the one hand, 00:15:01.779 --> 00:15:03.019 do you hear the talk that says, 00:15:03.539 --> 00:15:04.439 do what you need to do. 00:15:05.079 --> 00:15:05.959 You deserve it. 00:15:06.659 --> 00:15:07.719 Nothing can stop you. 00:15:09.539 --> 00:15:10.399 On the other hand, 00:15:10.439 --> 00:15:11.519 do you hear the voice that says, 00:15:11.939 --> 00:15:12.719 you're worthless. 00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:15.219 After all you've done, 00:15:16.199 --> 00:15:17.219 anyone could have done that 00:15:17.219 --> 00:15:17.839 better than you. 00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:21.439 And if we're honest, 00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:22.860 we've heard both of those voices. 00:15:24.439 --> 00:15:25.679 We've all been in the grip 00:15:25.679 --> 00:15:27.279 of spiritual war. 00:15:27.279 --> 00:15:29.899 And we all know 00:15:29.899 --> 00:15:30.779 just how powerful 00:15:30.779 --> 00:15:31.519 the temptation 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:33.799 and the accusation can be. 00:15:35.659 --> 00:15:36.519 And what we see 00:15:36.519 --> 00:15:37.019 in this poor, 00:15:37.139 --> 00:15:38.600 afflicted man in Mark 5 00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:39.860 is ultimately 00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:40.819 where this road 00:15:40.819 --> 00:15:42.319 would lead for all of us 00:15:42.319 --> 00:15:44.339 if left to run its course. 00:15:45.839 --> 00:15:47.059 It's the road to death. 00:15:50.039 --> 00:15:51.039 But in the face 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:51.799 of the reality 00:15:51.799 --> 00:15:52.659 and the gravity 00:15:52.659 --> 00:15:53.879 of spiritual evil, 00:15:54.980 --> 00:15:55.799 what Mark wants us 00:15:55.799 --> 00:15:57.199 to see above all else 00:15:57.200 --> 00:15:58.100 is Jesus 00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:59.800 and his victory 00:15:59.800 --> 00:16:01.520 over spiritual evil. 00:16:02.660 --> 00:16:03.940 Let's pick up in verse 6. 00:16:05.320 --> 00:16:06.100 And when he saw Jesus 00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:06.600 from afar, 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:07.900 he ran and fell down 00:16:07.900 --> 00:16:08.500 before him. 00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:09.320 And crying out 00:16:09.320 --> 00:16:09.980 with a loud voice, 00:16:10.040 --> 00:16:10.320 he said, 00:16:10.400 --> 00:16:11.060 what have you to do 00:16:11.060 --> 00:16:11.780 with me, Jesus, 00:16:11.940 --> 00:16:12.759 son of the most high, 00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:13.240 God? 00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:14.879 I adjure you by God. 00:16:14.940 --> 00:16:15.960 Do not torment me. 00:16:16.900 --> 00:16:17.980 For Jesus was saying to him, 00:16:18.080 --> 00:16:18.759 come out of the man, 00:16:18.820 --> 00:16:19.660 you unclean spirit. 00:16:20.580 --> 00:16:21.500 And Jesus asked him, 00:16:21.540 --> 00:16:22.100 what is your name? 00:16:22.400 --> 00:16:22.900 He replied, 00:16:23.040 --> 00:16:23.759 my name is Legion, 00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:24.440 for we're many. 00:16:25.400 --> 00:16:26.020 And he begged him 00:16:26.020 --> 00:16:26.860 earnestly not to send 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:27.580 them out of the country. 00:16:28.540 --> 00:16:29.320 Now a great herd of pigs 00:16:29.320 --> 00:16:29.880 was feeding there 00:16:29.880 --> 00:16:30.580 on the hillside, 00:16:31.160 --> 00:16:31.940 and they begged him, 00:16:32.040 --> 00:16:32.280 saying, 00:16:32.700 --> 00:16:33.740 send us to the pigs, 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:34.840 let us enter them. 00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:37.440 So Jesus gave them permission, 00:16:38.140 --> 00:16:39.040 and the unclean spirits 00:16:39.040 --> 00:16:39.500 came out 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:40.320 and entered the pigs. 00:16:40.800 --> 00:16:41.300 And the herd, 00:16:41.400 --> 00:16:42.500 numbering about 2,000, 00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:44.260 rushed down the steep bank 00:16:44.260 --> 00:16:44.920 into the sea 00:16:44.920 --> 00:16:46.420 and drowned in the sea. 00:16:48.660 --> 00:16:49.620 Note the contrast 00:16:49.620 --> 00:16:50.580 between these verses 00:16:50.580 --> 00:16:51.620 and the end of verse 4. 00:16:52.720 --> 00:16:53.740 Before Jesus arrived, 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:55.220 no one had the strength 00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:56.100 to subdue him. 00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:58.180 They tried chains, 00:16:59.000 --> 00:17:00.100 they tried shackles, 00:17:00.900 --> 00:17:01.940 perhaps to prevent the man 00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:02.620 from hurting others, 00:17:02.780 --> 00:17:03.759 perhaps to prevent the man 00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:04.620 from hurting himself, 00:17:04.860 --> 00:17:05.779 and none of it worked. 00:17:07.160 --> 00:17:08.360 But then Jesus arrives. 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:10.759 Others had tried 00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:12.319 to tie him down externally, 00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:13.740 but Jesus liberates him 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:14.519 internally. 00:17:15.559 --> 00:17:16.100 And at last, 00:17:16.100 --> 00:17:16.779 this man knows 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:18.579 real and true freedom. 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:20.839 And notice, 00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:21.799 in this encounter 00:17:21.799 --> 00:17:23.019 between Jesus 00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:23.980 and the unclean spirits, 00:17:24.299 --> 00:17:25.419 there's no contest. 00:17:26.639 --> 00:17:27.259 Jesus commands 00:17:27.259 --> 00:17:28.579 a whole host of demons 00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:29.480 to take flight 00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:31.019 as easily as a child 00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:32.000 running into a flock 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:32.460 of pigeons. 00:17:32.639 --> 00:17:33.480 Poof, they're gone. 00:17:36.259 --> 00:17:36.779 In fact, 00:17:36.839 --> 00:17:37.599 this legion of demons 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:38.859 can do nothing but beg. 00:17:39.359 --> 00:17:39.980 Did you notice 00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:40.639 how many times 00:17:40.639 --> 00:17:41.519 the text says that? 00:17:42.079 --> 00:17:43.359 The demons beg Jesus 00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:44.319 not to torment them. 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:45.339 They beg Jesus 00:17:45.339 --> 00:17:46.099 to let them enter 00:17:46.099 --> 00:17:46.839 the herd of pigs. 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:47.960 There are a whole army 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:48.799 of spiritual evil, 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:49.740 but before Jesus 00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:50.539 they can do nothing 00:17:50.539 --> 00:17:51.460 but get down 00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:52.000 on their knees 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:53.079 and beg. 00:17:55.460 --> 00:17:56.220 And when we compare 00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:56.720 this account 00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:57.920 to other ancient 00:17:57.920 --> 00:17:59.059 exorcism accounts 00:17:59.059 --> 00:17:59.779 outside of the Bible, 00:17:59.819 --> 00:18:00.400 we see something 00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:01.319 pretty interesting. 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:02.740 You know, 00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:03.620 in other ancient accounts 00:18:03.620 --> 00:18:04.360 the people trying 00:18:04.360 --> 00:18:05.840 to cast out evil spirits 00:18:05.840 --> 00:18:06.680 always sort of call 00:18:06.680 --> 00:18:07.500 on a higher power. 00:18:07.840 --> 00:18:09.200 The exorcist always evokes 00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:10.680 the name of a greater deity 00:18:10.680 --> 00:18:11.920 so that they can overcome 00:18:11.920 --> 00:18:12.559 the power, 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:13.579 the lesser power 00:18:13.579 --> 00:18:14.480 of the evil spirit. 00:18:15.420 --> 00:18:16.600 But is this how Jesus works? 00:18:17.960 --> 00:18:18.299 No. 00:18:19.360 --> 00:18:20.220 Jesus doesn't call 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:21.120 on a higher power. 00:18:21.380 --> 00:18:21.579 Never. 00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:24.319 In fact, 00:18:24.380 --> 00:18:24.720 for Jesus 00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:25.460 it doesn't matter 00:18:25.460 --> 00:18:26.340 whether it's one demon 00:18:26.340 --> 00:18:27.259 or a whole legion 00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:27.680 of demons 00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:29.039 with his own word. 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.579 He puts them in submission 00:18:30.579 --> 00:18:31.819 and drives them out. 00:18:34.920 --> 00:18:35.579 But of course 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.559 there's a curious detail 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:36.920 here, 00:18:37.180 --> 00:18:37.700 isn't there? 00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:39.559 Jesus' victory 00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:40.860 over spiritual evil 00:18:40.860 --> 00:18:41.799 and this man's 00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:42.860 spiritual freedom 00:18:42.860 --> 00:18:45.640 comes with a strange cost. 00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:47.980 because Jesus 00:18:47.980 --> 00:18:48.680 doesn't just send 00:18:48.680 --> 00:18:49.440 the demons fleeing 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:51.100 he permits them 00:18:51.100 --> 00:18:52.300 to enter a herd 00:18:52.300 --> 00:18:53.020 of pigs 00:18:53.020 --> 00:18:55.160 and the demons 00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:56.340 subsequently destroy 00:18:56.340 --> 00:18:57.120 the whole herd. 00:18:58.400 --> 00:18:59.460 Now this is a strange 00:18:59.460 --> 00:19:00.240 detail to be sure 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:01.280 and most readers 00:19:01.280 --> 00:19:02.480 of Mark's gospel today 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:03.400 sort of scratch their heads 00:19:03.400 --> 00:19:04.340 and a lot of us think 00:19:04.340 --> 00:19:05.320 oh man 00:19:05.320 --> 00:19:06.880 those poor pigs 00:19:06.880 --> 00:19:08.160 what did they 00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:08.860 ever do wrong? 00:19:09.100 --> 00:19:09.200 Right? 00:19:11.520 --> 00:19:12.620 But consider what 00:19:12.620 --> 00:19:13.720 consider what this 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:14.880 what this would have meant. 00:19:15.640 --> 00:19:17.820 consider first 00:19:17.820 --> 00:19:18.960 what it tells us 00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:19.640 about the demons. 00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:21.700 On the one hand 00:19:21.700 --> 00:19:22.400 the destruction 00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:23.200 of so large 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:24.540 a number of pigs 00:19:24.540 --> 00:19:25.660 shows us just how many 00:19:25.660 --> 00:19:26.360 demons there were 00:19:26.360 --> 00:19:26.960 in this man. 00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:28.800 Legion indeed 00:19:28.800 --> 00:19:30.320 not quite 6,000 00:19:30.320 --> 00:19:32.200 but a frightening host 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:32.580 nonetheless. 00:19:34.340 --> 00:19:35.240 On the other hand 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:35.660 the destruction 00:19:35.660 --> 00:19:36.220 of the pigs 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:37.280 shows us the destructive 00:19:37.280 --> 00:19:38.860 nature of demonic power. 00:19:39.560 --> 00:19:40.259 The thief comes 00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:41.140 to steal, kill 00:19:41.140 --> 00:19:41.900 and destroy 00:19:41.900 --> 00:19:42.759 as Jesus says 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.380 in John 10. 00:19:43.380 --> 00:19:44.820 And here is yet 00:19:44.820 --> 00:19:45.620 another proof 00:19:45.620 --> 00:19:46.740 of Satan's evil 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:47.700 intent to ruin 00:19:47.700 --> 00:19:48.780 God's good creation 00:19:48.780 --> 00:19:49.960 not something 00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:50.760 to play with. 00:19:53.760 --> 00:19:54.420 But consider 00:19:54.420 --> 00:19:56.260 what the destruction 00:19:56.260 --> 00:19:56.840 of the herd of pigs 00:19:56.840 --> 00:19:57.200 would have meant 00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:58.020 for the man himself. 00:19:59.980 --> 00:20:00.600 You see 00:20:00.600 --> 00:20:01.120 the destruction 00:20:01.120 --> 00:20:01.660 of the herd 00:20:01.660 --> 00:20:02.600 was evidence 00:20:02.600 --> 00:20:04.060 that these destructive 00:20:04.060 --> 00:20:04.860 forces had been 00:20:04.860 --> 00:20:05.760 removed from him 00:20:05.760 --> 00:20:06.620 once and for all. 00:20:07.700 --> 00:20:08.040 I mean 00:20:08.040 --> 00:20:09.020 who knows how long 00:20:09.020 --> 00:20:10.020 this man had suffered? 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:11.580 Who knows how long 00:20:11.579 --> 00:20:12.599 his fellow townspeople 00:20:12.599 --> 00:20:13.460 had lived in fear 00:20:13.460 --> 00:20:13.879 of him? 00:20:15.199 --> 00:20:15.960 But now 00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:17.059 lest any doubted 00:20:17.059 --> 00:20:17.919 there was proof 00:20:17.919 --> 00:20:19.819 that something radical 00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:20.720 had cleansed him 00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:22.279 and set him free. 00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:23.879 As tangible 00:20:23.879 --> 00:20:25.399 and as evidenced 00:20:25.399 --> 00:20:26.559 as the missing herd 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:26.980 of pigs 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:27.799 on the hillside. 00:20:30.859 --> 00:20:31.559 But consider 00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:32.119 what this would have 00:20:32.119 --> 00:20:32.899 meant for Jesus. 00:20:34.419 --> 00:20:35.159 On the surface 00:20:35.159 --> 00:20:35.720 the magnitude 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:36.720 of the miracle 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:37.699 that Jesus had just 00:20:37.699 --> 00:20:38.079 performed. 00:20:38.379 --> 00:20:39.259 The magnitude 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:39.899 of what Jesus 00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:40.560 had just done. 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:41.240 Driving out 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:41.980 a whole legion 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:42.620 of demons. 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.940 That is made visible 00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:46.140 by permitting 00:20:46.140 --> 00:20:46.840 the destruction 00:20:46.840 --> 00:20:47.440 of the herd. 00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:48.200 You know 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:48.940 it's one thing 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:50.360 to see one man 00:20:50.360 --> 00:20:51.440 put in his right mind 00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:52.100 as we see later 00:20:52.100 --> 00:20:52.640 in this passage. 00:20:52.860 --> 00:20:53.759 It's another thing 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.380 to have seen 00:20:54.380 --> 00:20:55.460 2,000 animals 00:20:55.460 --> 00:20:56.500 crash into the sea. 00:20:57.780 --> 00:20:58.880 So this allows us 00:20:58.880 --> 00:21:00.120 to see the magnitude 00:21:00.120 --> 00:21:00.780 of what Jesus 00:21:00.780 --> 00:21:01.420 has just done. 00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:04.380 But consider 00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:05.019 a little deeper 00:21:05.019 --> 00:21:06.040 what the destruction 00:21:06.040 --> 00:21:06.560 of this herd 00:21:06.560 --> 00:21:07.000 might have meant 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:07.519 for Jesus. 00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:10.379 In the first century 00:21:10.379 --> 00:21:10.940 a herd of pigs 00:21:10.940 --> 00:21:11.720 meant a lot of money. 00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:14.139 The people 00:21:14.139 --> 00:21:14.819 made their living 00:21:14.819 --> 00:21:15.539 from agriculture 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:16.099 after all. 00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:17.339 And a whole herd 00:21:17.339 --> 00:21:17.619 of pigs 00:21:17.619 --> 00:21:18.319 was very valuable. 00:21:19.359 --> 00:21:19.980 When the pigs 00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:20.420 went charging 00:21:20.420 --> 00:21:20.960 over the cliff 00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:21.660 the townspeople 00:21:21.660 --> 00:21:22.400 were not thinking 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:22.940 oh no 00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:23.900 the cute pigs. 00:21:24.379 --> 00:21:24.480 Right? 00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:25.599 They were thinking 00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:26.200 oh no 00:21:26.200 --> 00:21:27.440 we just lost 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:28.240 a ton of money. 00:21:30.180 --> 00:21:30.799 Someone just 00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:31.779 drained our bank account. 00:21:31.779 --> 00:21:35.700 So what Jesus 00:21:35.700 --> 00:21:36.579 is demonstrating 00:21:36.579 --> 00:21:38.440 is that all 00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:38.960 the wealth 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:39.720 in the world 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:41.299 doesn't compare 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:42.059 to the worth 00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:43.859 of one human soul. 00:21:45.139 --> 00:21:45.700 Better 00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:47.079 to lose the pigs 00:21:47.079 --> 00:21:48.519 and gain the man. 00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:52.359 But look even deeper. 00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:55.079 In permitting 00:21:55.079 --> 00:21:55.759 the destruction 00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:56.319 of the herd 00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:57.440 Jesus asks 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:58.740 the townspeople 00:21:58.740 --> 00:21:59.960 to bear 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:01.380 a bit of a cost 00:22:01.380 --> 00:22:02.779 for this man's 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:03.339 restoration. 00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:06.980 But don't you see 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:08.160 the even bigger story 00:22:08.160 --> 00:22:09.180 that's being played 00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:09.660 out here? 00:22:11.400 --> 00:22:12.359 Conquering evil 00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:13.960 vanquishing 00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:14.599 the destructive 00:22:14.599 --> 00:22:15.779 powers of darkness 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:17.180 silencing 00:22:17.180 --> 00:22:18.019 the accusations 00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:18.940 of the evil one 00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:19.980 none of this 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:20.640 would come 00:22:20.640 --> 00:22:22.140 without an even 00:22:22.140 --> 00:22:23.099 greater cost. 00:22:23.099 --> 00:22:25.500 It would take 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:26.500 more than the cost 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:26.879 of a herd 00:22:26.879 --> 00:22:27.399 of animals 00:22:27.399 --> 00:22:28.259 maybe a few months 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:29.159 or years wages 00:22:29.159 --> 00:22:32.319 to really conquer 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:33.059 the powers 00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:33.619 of darkness 00:22:33.619 --> 00:22:34.379 it would cost 00:22:34.379 --> 00:22:35.159 nothing less 00:22:35.159 --> 00:22:36.059 than the death 00:22:36.059 --> 00:22:37.119 of God's own son. 00:22:38.699 --> 00:22:39.699 A cost that he 00:22:39.699 --> 00:22:40.819 was willing to pay 00:22:40.819 --> 00:22:41.879 in love 00:22:41.879 --> 00:22:42.719 for you 00:22:42.719 --> 00:22:43.379 and for me. 00:22:44.879 --> 00:22:45.179 You see 00:22:45.179 --> 00:22:45.579 by the end 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:46.359 of Mark's gospel 00:22:46.359 --> 00:22:46.759 Jesus 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.959 will take 00:22:47.959 --> 00:22:48.919 this man's place. 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:50.839 Jesus will be 00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:51.299 handed over 00:22:51.299 --> 00:22:51.939 to the Romans 00:22:51.939 --> 00:22:53.019 and their legions. 00:22:54.099 --> 00:22:54.679 Jesus will be 00:22:54.679 --> 00:22:55.119 shackled 00:22:55.119 --> 00:22:55.500 condemned 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:56.199 and hung up 00:22:56.199 --> 00:22:57.159 to die on a cross 00:22:57.159 --> 00:22:58.399 amidst the cursed 00:22:58.399 --> 00:22:59.459 and the unclean. 00:23:00.359 --> 00:23:01.379 He will cry out 00:23:01.379 --> 00:23:02.579 his body torn 00:23:02.579 --> 00:23:03.939 by the stones 00:23:03.939 --> 00:23:05.240 of Roman whips 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:07.139 and Satan 00:23:07.139 --> 00:23:07.879 will exhaust 00:23:07.879 --> 00:23:08.599 his destructive 00:23:08.599 --> 00:23:10.019 evil on Jesus 00:23:10.019 --> 00:23:11.179 and his body 00:23:11.179 --> 00:23:11.699 will be laid 00:23:11.699 --> 00:23:12.259 in a tomb. 00:23:14.719 --> 00:23:15.219 Satan will do 00:23:15.219 --> 00:23:15.740 his worst 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:17.819 against Jesus 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:19.759 but he will 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:20.240 not win 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:22.559 because by dying 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:23.919 Jesus paid 00:23:23.919 --> 00:23:24.579 the cost 00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:25.899 for every sin 00:23:25.899 --> 00:23:27.500 and every failure 00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:28.740 of everyone 00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:30.000 who will trust 00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:30.419 in him. 00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:32.899 And on the third 00:23:32.899 --> 00:23:33.259 day 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:34.539 Jesus rose 00:23:34.539 --> 00:23:35.759 to prove 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:36.319 that the payment 00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:37.220 was made in full 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:38.460 that Satan 00:23:38.460 --> 00:23:39.500 was now powerless 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:40.940 and that no 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:41.599 accusation 00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:42.960 could ever be made 00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:44.200 against his beloved 00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:45.339 people ever again. 00:23:46.339 --> 00:23:47.339 The victory 00:23:47.339 --> 00:23:48.200 at last 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:49.079 had been won 00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:50.079 once 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:51.099 and for all. 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.759 And if you really 00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:55.619 take this victory 00:23:55.619 --> 00:23:56.439 seriously 00:23:56.439 --> 00:23:58.879 then things 00:23:58.879 --> 00:23:59.799 start to change. 00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:02.240 Notice first 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:02.960 how the townspeople 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:03.939 respond to Jesus. 00:24:04.939 --> 00:24:05.879 It's surprising 00:24:05.879 --> 00:24:06.279 isn't it? 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.619 In verse 17 00:24:07.619 --> 00:24:09.599 they beg him 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:10.059 to leave. 00:24:12.659 --> 00:24:13.379 But maybe 00:24:13.379 --> 00:24:14.159 it's not that surprising 00:24:14.159 --> 00:24:15.059 when you think about it. 00:24:15.879 --> 00:24:16.279 After all 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:16.519 Jesus' 00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:17.659 redemptive program 00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:18.720 had just been 00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:19.840 massively costly 00:24:19.840 --> 00:24:20.300 to them. 00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:22.360 Some folks 00:24:22.360 --> 00:24:22.800 just lost 00:24:22.800 --> 00:24:23.500 a lot of money 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:24.940 so that one person 00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:25.640 could be restored 00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:26.300 to the community. 00:24:28.140 --> 00:24:28.840 Now according 00:24:28.840 --> 00:24:29.720 to the world's economy 00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:31.420 that's not a decent 00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:32.259 exchange, right? 00:24:32.820 --> 00:24:33.900 That's not a profitable 00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:35.080 rate of return. 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:38.040 But in Jesus' 00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:38.620 economy 00:24:38.620 --> 00:24:39.400 things are different. 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:42.300 When Jesus Christ 00:24:42.300 --> 00:24:43.060 enters your life 00:24:43.060 --> 00:24:44.300 and when the gospel 00:24:44.300 --> 00:24:45.400 really starts to take 00:24:45.400 --> 00:24:46.340 root in a community 00:24:46.339 --> 00:24:47.599 the priorities 00:24:47.599 --> 00:24:48.480 will be changed. 00:24:50.699 --> 00:24:51.839 Jesus doesn't just 00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:52.799 let things remain 00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:53.839 the way they are. 00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:55.839 The status quo 00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:56.720 gets upset. 00:24:57.259 --> 00:24:57.980 The old way 00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:58.699 of doing things 00:24:58.699 --> 00:24:59.220 gets upset 00:24:59.220 --> 00:25:00.099 by a new way 00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:00.939 of doing things. 00:25:01.559 --> 00:25:02.779 There's a new kingdom. 00:25:03.199 --> 00:25:04.199 There's a new economy. 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:05.679 There's a new approach 00:25:05.679 --> 00:25:06.359 to wealth 00:25:06.359 --> 00:25:07.579 and who's important 00:25:07.579 --> 00:25:08.799 and who's not important. 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:11.799 Just like he did 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:12.459 with the garrison 00:25:12.459 --> 00:25:13.839 social and economic 00:25:13.839 --> 00:25:14.599 status quo 00:25:14.599 --> 00:25:15.799 if you welcome Jesus 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:16.579 into your life 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:17.659 he will completely 00:25:17.659 --> 00:25:18.619 rearrange your normal 00:25:18.619 --> 00:25:19.599 way of doing things. 00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:20.939 He will change 00:25:20.939 --> 00:25:21.559 our priorities 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:23.039 and he will become 00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:23.899 our ultimate allegiance. 00:25:26.699 --> 00:25:27.980 And as we cling 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:29.359 tighter to him 00:25:29.359 --> 00:25:31.119 and as he takes 00:25:31.119 --> 00:25:32.099 more and more control 00:25:32.099 --> 00:25:32.619 of our life 00:25:32.619 --> 00:25:33.419 we start to become 00:25:33.419 --> 00:25:34.480 a lot more open handed 00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:36.599 with the other things. 00:25:36.599 --> 00:25:40.599 But that means 00:25:40.599 --> 00:25:41.199 some people 00:25:41.199 --> 00:25:43.099 will tell Jesus 00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:44.619 to leave. 00:25:46.099 --> 00:25:47.139 We'd rather control 00:25:47.139 --> 00:25:48.219 things our own way. 00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.639 Thank you very much. 00:25:51.179 --> 00:25:51.899 Sadly that's what 00:25:51.899 --> 00:25:52.619 happened on this day 00:25:52.619 --> 00:25:53.279 in Mark 5. 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:56.419 But not for everyone. 00:25:58.299 --> 00:25:59.159 If you see that 00:25:59.159 --> 00:26:00.379 his power is not out 00:26:00.379 --> 00:26:01.279 to enslave you 00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:02.019 or oppress you 00:26:02.019 --> 00:26:02.579 but that it comes 00:26:02.579 --> 00:26:03.379 to liberate 00:26:03.379 --> 00:26:04.099 redeem 00:26:04.099 --> 00:26:05.359 and restore you 00:26:05.359 --> 00:26:06.500 when you see 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:07.179 that his power 00:26:07.179 --> 00:26:07.879 was displayed 00:26:07.879 --> 00:26:09.079 ultimately on the cross 00:26:09.079 --> 00:26:10.199 because he loves you 00:26:10.199 --> 00:26:11.419 then your response 00:26:11.419 --> 00:26:12.479 will be totally different. 00:26:13.699 --> 00:26:14.399 When you see 00:26:14.399 --> 00:26:15.199 that God loved us 00:26:15.199 --> 00:26:16.000 at infinite cost 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:16.479 to himself 00:26:16.479 --> 00:26:17.399 then you'll want 00:26:17.399 --> 00:26:17.899 to make him 00:26:17.899 --> 00:26:18.339 your Lord. 00:26:19.859 --> 00:26:20.519 Who else 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:21.500 could lay aside 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:23.279 their infinite power 00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:23.859 and privilege 00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:24.399 and wealth 00:26:24.399 --> 00:26:25.240 who else would do 00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:26.219 that to rescue us 00:26:26.219 --> 00:26:26.779 when we had done 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:27.979 nothing to deserve it? 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:29.859 And if you see 00:26:29.859 --> 00:26:30.719 his power displayed 00:26:30.719 --> 00:26:31.299 on the cross 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:32.319 instead of telling 00:26:32.319 --> 00:26:33.059 him to leave 00:26:33.059 --> 00:26:33.959 you'll want to be 00:26:33.959 --> 00:26:34.679 with him forever 00:26:34.680 --> 00:26:35.539 and tell everyone 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:36.539 you love about him 00:26:36.539 --> 00:26:38.519 just like this man. 00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:41.360 You'll want to give him 00:26:41.360 --> 00:26:42.320 control of your life 00:26:42.320 --> 00:26:44.440 so that his power 00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:45.279 will remake you 00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:46.240 and reorder your life 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:47.180 into something beautiful. 00:26:48.900 --> 00:26:50.019 And like this man 00:26:50.019 --> 00:26:52.019 Jesus will dignify you 00:26:52.019 --> 00:26:53.980 by sending you 00:26:53.980 --> 00:26:55.480 on his mission. 00:26:56.880 --> 00:26:58.160 The man after being healed 00:26:58.160 --> 00:26:58.600 says Jesus 00:26:58.600 --> 00:26:59.600 let me be with you. 00:27:00.100 --> 00:27:00.259 Right? 00:27:00.320 --> 00:27:01.000 Which reminds us 00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:01.820 of an earlier passage 00:27:01.820 --> 00:27:02.340 in the gospel 00:27:02.340 --> 00:27:03.400 when Jesus calls 00:27:03.400 --> 00:27:03.860 the apostles 00:27:03.860 --> 00:27:04.220 and said 00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:04.940 I'm calling you 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:05.620 to be with me. 00:27:06.040 --> 00:27:06.560 And the man says 00:27:06.560 --> 00:27:07.220 Jesus let me go 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:07.920 and let me be with you 00:27:07.920 --> 00:27:08.500 but Jesus has 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:09.360 a different plan 00:27:09.360 --> 00:27:10.900 for this man's life. 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:13.500 The Gerasenes 00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:16.019 needed a gospel witness 00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:18.120 and this formerly 00:27:18.120 --> 00:27:19.060 notorious man 00:27:19.060 --> 00:27:19.820 would now be 00:27:19.820 --> 00:27:20.780 the equally 00:27:20.780 --> 00:27:22.040 unforgettable witness 00:27:22.040 --> 00:27:23.440 to the power of Christ. 00:27:24.780 --> 00:27:25.800 And like this man 00:27:25.800 --> 00:27:26.860 all true Christians 00:27:26.860 --> 00:27:27.780 have a story to tell 00:27:27.780 --> 00:27:29.040 about what God 00:27:29.040 --> 00:27:30.040 has done in their life 00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:31.119 and this story 00:27:31.119 --> 00:27:32.779 is all about Jesus. 00:27:34.139 --> 00:27:34.799 Did you notice 00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:35.599 how the passage ends? 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:37.240 Jesus tells the man 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:38.159 to tell everyone 00:27:38.159 --> 00:27:39.059 what God had done 00:27:39.059 --> 00:27:40.180 and the man obeys 00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:41.059 by telling everyone 00:27:41.059 --> 00:27:42.500 what Jesus had done. 00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:45.879 So how are you responding 00:27:45.879 --> 00:27:48.059 to the power of Jesus? 00:27:49.119 --> 00:27:50.099 What's keeping you 00:27:50.099 --> 00:27:50.960 from giving yourself 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:51.920 to this powerful 00:27:51.920 --> 00:27:54.000 and infinitely loving Lord? 00:27:55.779 --> 00:27:57.019 This passage tells us 00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:57.379 that no matter 00:27:57.379 --> 00:27:58.420 how fearful you are 00:27:58.420 --> 00:27:59.960 no matter how broken 00:27:59.960 --> 00:28:00.519 you are 00:28:00.519 --> 00:28:01.500 no matter how ashamed 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:02.220 you feel 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:04.140 Jesus by his power 00:28:04.140 --> 00:28:05.039 can save you 00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:06.920 and make you 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:08.100 an instrument 00:28:08.100 --> 00:28:08.740 of redemption 00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:09.640 in his world. 00:28:10.560 --> 00:28:11.560 Let's pray together. 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.480 Lord Jesus 00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:21.060 we pause 00:28:21.060 --> 00:28:21.900 and we praise you 00:28:21.900 --> 00:28:24.400 for winning 00:28:24.400 --> 00:28:25.240 the ultimate victory 00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:26.300 over spiritual darkness. 00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:27.860 God we look out 00:28:27.859 --> 00:28:28.279 at our world 00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:29.019 and we still see 00:28:29.019 --> 00:28:30.719 so much brokenness 00:28:30.719 --> 00:28:32.939 so much evil 00:28:32.939 --> 00:28:34.459 that yes 00:28:34.459 --> 00:28:35.339 can be explained 00:28:35.339 --> 00:28:37.919 by many material causes 00:28:37.919 --> 00:28:38.979 and yet we know 00:28:38.979 --> 00:28:39.599 that there's also 00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:40.699 a great spiritual battle 00:28:40.699 --> 00:28:41.099 raging. 00:28:42.839 --> 00:28:44.219 But we thank you Lord 00:28:44.219 --> 00:28:46.019 that this victory 00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:46.799 has been won 00:28:46.799 --> 00:28:48.779 and that we need not fear 00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:49.939 and that even though 00:28:49.939 --> 00:28:51.059 we are called 00:28:51.059 --> 00:28:51.859 to put on the armor 00:28:51.859 --> 00:28:52.559 each day 00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:54.000 to fight this battle 00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:55.659 we know that ultimately 00:28:55.659 --> 00:28:56.519 in you Christ 00:28:56.519 --> 00:28:57.980 it will be a battle 00:28:57.980 --> 00:28:58.779 that is victorious. 00:29:00.900 --> 00:29:01.940 Lord we pray 00:29:01.940 --> 00:29:02.940 for your help 00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:04.119 in the midst of temptation 00:29:04.119 --> 00:29:05.200 and accusation 00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:07.779 help us to remember 00:29:07.779 --> 00:29:08.379 the gospel 00:29:08.379 --> 00:29:10.819 that you have loved us 00:29:10.819 --> 00:29:12.299 with an undying love 00:29:12.299 --> 00:29:14.980 and that you have called us 00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:16.200 to live holy lives 00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:17.440 in service of you. 00:29:19.200 --> 00:29:20.500 Lord help us to live 00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:21.279 in that freedom 00:29:21.279 --> 00:29:22.539 and help us to encourage 00:29:22.539 --> 00:29:23.119 one another 00:29:23.119 --> 00:29:23.819 on the way. 00:29:25.839 --> 00:29:26.639 Lord help us 00:29:26.639 --> 00:29:27.879 to run this race 00:29:27.879 --> 00:29:28.959 together as a church 00:29:28.959 --> 00:29:31.199 proclaiming your victory 00:29:31.199 --> 00:29:31.939 like this man 00:29:31.939 --> 00:29:32.579 that we see here 00:29:32.579 --> 00:29:33.279 in Mark 5. 00:29:34.159 --> 00:29:34.859 Lord each of us 00:29:34.859 --> 00:29:35.579 has a story 00:29:35.579 --> 00:29:37.799 about the great mercy 00:29:37.799 --> 00:29:38.919 that you've shown to us. 00:29:40.139 --> 00:29:41.119 Help us to publish it 00:29:41.119 --> 00:29:41.979 and proclaim it 00:29:41.979 --> 00:29:43.979 and be glad. 00:29:45.039 --> 00:29:46.139 We ask this in your name 00:29:46.139 --> 00:29:46.459 Jesus. 00:29:46.659 --> 00:29:46.859 Amen.