Jesus and the Man of Decapolis

-Introduction

-primary texts:  Matt 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39

-Context:  during Jesus’ Galilean Ministry

            -previously appointed the 12 apostles, delivered the Sermon on the Mount, healed

              many, raised the widow’s son at Nain, had been casting out demons, delivered

              His first group of parables, had completed two tours of Galilee, would eventually

              complete a third

            -Word about Jesus’ works and teaching had been spreading quickly.  His fame and

              popularity were on the rise.

-The events we’ll focus on this evening come toward the end of a very long and trying

  day in the life of Christ.

            -Jesus, the apostles and others in little ships (Mark 4:36)  made their way across the

        Sea of Galilee.

            -It was at this time that Jesus (tired from the events of the day) slept in the boat during

              the storm.  It was on this occasion that Jesus calmed the seas with His word “Peace,

              be still.”

            -Those present were astonished by His power.

-Upon reaching the other side of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus was afforded no time for rest.

-Jesus Heals the Demoniacs

-Matt 8:28-34

            -Mark and Luke’s accounts focus on one of these two men - seemingly the most

              notorious of the two.

-Mark 5:2-5

            -When Jesus asked the demon his name, he responded, “Legion: for we are many” (vs 9).

            -These demons were tormented this poor man - Luke 8:27.  He was naked, destitute,

              homeless, wild, not in his right mind, self-mutilating...

-Matt 8:29, Luke 8:28, Mark 5:6-7

            -Notice, the demons realized the power and authority of Jesus.  They knew who He was/

              is - Jesus, the Son of God.  They had overpowered this man and ruined his life.  Yet,

              they fell at the feet of Jesus.

            -Mark’s account (vs 6) indicates that they worshipped Jesus.

           -C.E.W. Dorris stated in regards to the demon, Legion, that he “...recognized in Jesus

        the power of God, he became overawed, thinking he had come to consign him to the

        bottomless pit, and his actions were caused by fear, being incapable of worshipping

        Jesus in the true sense of worship, where it is done in spirit and in truth, with a

  loving and obedient disposition, demons believe and tremble” (A Commentary on

  the Gospel by Mark, Nashville, TN, Gospel Advocate Co., 1950, pg 117).

-Jas 2:19

-Isn’t it amazing that people today deny the true identity and characteristics of Jesus that demons

  so readily recognized and confessed!

            -There are some other interesting pieces of information pertaining to the words spoken by

              Legion.  Yet, we will not address those specifics with this particular lesson.

-The demons were cast into a herd of swine which then perished in the sea.

-Reaction of the People

-Mark 5:14-17

            -The people saw this man, now healed, sitting (rather than raging), clothed (rather than

              naked), in his right mind (rather than out of control).  What a wonderful scene!  Such

              attests to the power and compassion of Jesus.

            -Yet, the people feared and asked Jesus to leave.

- At this point, the people asked Jesus to leave.  The NIV translation of Mark 5:17 says “the

  people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region”.  Perhaps they were afraid because of

  what had taken place.  However, could it be possible that they wanted Jesus to leave because

  of the loss of the swine?  There seems to be a direct correlation between the loss of the animals

  and the request for Jesus to leave (Mark 5:16-17). 

      -Luke 8:37 attributes the request to leave with fear.  However, this was not a reverent awe of

       Jesus, for if it was, they wouldn’t have asked Him to leave.  It seems that the fear was

 regarding what the people perceived as a possibility of the further loss of material things. 

-Mark 5:18-20

            -The man who Jesus had healed wanted to go with Jesus.  He wanted to follow Him.

                        -That should be our attitude.  We should come to Jesus for our spiritual healing and then

                          have a strong desire to follow Him.

            -However, Jesus did not allow this man to go with Him.  Instead, Jesus gave Him some

        specific instructions.

-The Influence of One Man

-Later, when Jesus would once again visit the region of Decapolis, He would not be asked to

  leave.  Instead, great multitudes would flock to Him.

            -Matt 15:29-30 (Mark 7:31,33)

-Mark 7:36-37 - Word regarding Jesus continued to spread through the region.

-Matt 15:32 - It was at this time that Jesus miraculously fed this multitude of 4,000 men plus

   women and children.

-Summary and Invitation

-What a contrast!  The first time Jesus visited that region He was asked to leave.  Upon His return

  multitudes flocked to Him.  They even followed Him in spite of the fact that they had run out of

  food.

-Yes, word was continuing to spread regarding Jesus.  Yet, in that region, the word regarding

  Jesus began with that one man whom Jesus healed.

-Let’s never forget the impact that each and every one of us, as individuals, can have.

-We can do what that man did.  We need to do what that man did.  We must do what that man

  did - “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and

  hath had compassion on thee” (Mark 5:19).

            -Which friend are you going to begin with?

-What about you this evening?  Have you responded to Jesus?  Have you obeyed the Gospel of

  Christ?  If not, believe (John 3:16, 8:24), Confess your faith (Matt 10:32, Rom 10:9-10), Repent

  of your sins (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30), Be Baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16)

-If you’ve obeyed the Gospel, have you remained faithful?  If not, confess your shortcomings,

  repent of them and pray for God’s forgiveness - 1 John 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24.