Overcoming terror is not easy. Some overcome terror by seeing doctors taking medications and relying on self-will and positive thinking, but these are not permanent. In Mark chapter 5, we see a man who has been terrorized for years by demons. It is not within his power to overcome them. He needed an outside source. This is one of the most dramatic encounters in the Gospels. Jesus steps off a boat into the country of the Gadarenes and is immediately met by a man possessed by a legion of demons. The word legion means many. He was not tormented by one demon but was completely controlled by many. This man lived among the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. He was isolated, feared, and completely broken.
Mark 5:1-5 “And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.”
This man had no hope of ever being with friends and family. He had no hope of anything! His life was ruined, yet something within him told him to run to Jesus when he saw His boat coming ashore. In Mark 5:6-7, he sees hope in the form of a man. “But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.” Jesus hears his cry and sends the demons into the nearby swine. The herd of swine runs off the cliff and into the sea. In verse 13, we see this event. “And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.” This was a major event for everyone! The people come to see this man, and he is clothed, sitting, and in his right mind. The pigs are dying in the ocean, not a few, but 2000! Instead of rejoicing, the people are gripped by fear and beg Jesus to leave their region.
As Jesus returns to His boat, the man begs Jesus to let him go with him. Wouldn’t you do the same? He had met his healer, his protector, and his Master. He loved him for what he had done for him. In his estimation, there was nothing for him in the village. These were the people who had chained him and were afraid of him. He was not ready to face them. They had seen him at his absolute worst and rejected him. Jesus saw him at his worst and helped him. Going with Jesus felt safe, while going home felt terrifying. However, Jesus had another plan. In verse 19, Jesus tells him, “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.” This man faced his fears and obeyed. As a result, verse 20 teaches us that “all of Decapolis knew how great things Jesus had done for him, and they all marveled.”
What is our takeaway and application from this passage? Are we often like the man who wants to safely retreat to just being with Jesus? Do we thank God and go about our business as if it is a normal day? What about those answered prayers that got you through a spiritual storm? The one that healed a loved one or yourself? Many times, we are like the man. We want to stay in our Christian circles where we can rejoice with friends, enjoy a private relationship with God, and keep our testimonies to ourselves, but this is not God’s way. God changes our lives so we can share His greatness with others. Jesus did not tell him to preach a complex sermon or explain everything that had happened. He simply said to tell people what great things the Lord has done and that Jesus had compassion on him.
The most powerful tool you have is your testimony. It is yours to share. People can argue with theology, but they cannot argue with your story. You own it, you lived it, now you are to share it! It is time to overcome the terror of being a faithful, outgoing, shout it from the rooftop kind of Christian! You will not only encourage others, but you will also speak truth to those who don’t know him, and you will remind yourself of His great faithfulness. It is time your family, friends, and associates know how good God has been to you.
