Scary Story? (Mark 5:1-20)

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God's name don't torture me!" For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you impure spirit!" Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. (Mark 5:1-10 NIV)

I'm not sure that I would listen to a demon as a good character witness.  Demons follow Satan, the father of lies.  When they encounter Jesus, though, there seems to be a genuine fear for their lives.  They seem to be experiencing terror.  More than that, they recognized that Jesus was the "Son of the Most High God."

A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. (Mark 5:11-13 NIV)

A legion of soldiers numbered in the thousands.  This legion of demons begged Jesus to be sent into the nearby pigs - about two thousand of them.  I'm not sure why they wanted to be sent into the pigs.  More than that, Scripture doesn't tell us why the pigs immediately rushed into the water and were drowned.  Were I to guess, though, I would say that the demons were "released" from the man and "attached" to the pigs.  Once the pigs died, they were "released" to do what they pleased.  Killing the pigs allowed them to escape.

Why would they want to escape from Jesus?  Why would they beg him for their lives, then run away "immediately."  It's simple.  He had power and authority over them.  This spiritual battle was no battle at all.  They knew he would win.  So, they ran.

Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man--and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. (Mark 5:14-17 NIV)

People in that area didn't know how to react to such a fierce spiritual battle.  They could see the man being exercised by demons.  They could see the pigs rush down into the lake.  They could also see Jesus.  They couldn't see the fallen-angels, though, who were speaking through the man and then exercising the pigs.  The whole scene frightened them.  Seeing Jesus win especially frightened them.  They wanted him to leave.

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. (Mark 5:18-20 NIV)

The demonized man was so grateful.  Imagine being bothered by two thousand spiritual beings who spend day and night harassing you.  Now imagine them all going away.  What a relief!  He wanted to thank Jesus and follow him.  Jesus told him how he could do that:  Go tell people about me.

How about you?  How would you react to a spiritual battle taking place right in front of you?  How would you react to the Son of God winning the battle and demons running away?  Would you run away too?  Would you want to follow Jesus?  Would you be willing to follow his instructions, even if it meant not staying right by his side?  Do you follow him today?