The Miracles of Jesus
Sunday, July 10th 2022

Mark 5:1–20

Jesus has Power Over Satan and Demons so Walk in Faith and Freedom

We are engaged in a real battle with Satan and the kingdom of darkness; yet Jesus has triumphed over our spiritual enemies and empowers his disciples to overcome evil.

Jesus and the Man (v.1-5)
As Jesus steps out of the boat, he immediately encounters a man possessed with many demons. The demon-possessed man is described in several ways:
He “lived among the tombs” (v.3a)
Due to his condition, he was exiled from his city and from all human contact. He was all alone, separated from his family and friends.
No one could bind him anymore not even with chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he tore the chains apart and broke the shackles in pieces. (v.4b,c)
No one had the strength to subdue him (v.4d)
He lived night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. (v.5)

Jesus and Legion (v.6-13)
v.6,7 – “And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, What have you go do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.”

Even the demon Legion knows who Jesus is: Son of the Most High God!
“You believe that God is one, you do well. Even the demons believe – and shudder!” James 2:19

v.9 – “And Jesus asked him, ‘What is your name?’ He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country.”

v.11-13 - The demons then begged Jesus to send them into a nearby herd of pigs, numbering nearly two thousand. Jesus permitted them to enter the pigs, and then the pigs proceeded to run down the hillside and into the ocean to drown.

Jesus Our Deliverer (v.14-17)
v.15 – “And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.” AMEN!

The good news is that Jesus is our deliverer! Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” 1 Jn 3:8

As disciples of Jesus, the devil certainly seeks to devour us. “Be sober-minded, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

and does everything he can to kill, steal, and destroy. “The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” John 10:10

As God’s children, we can be confident that ‘in Jesus’ we will overcome and conquer.
“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” 1 John 5:4,5

“Simply put, you don’t have to suffer from Satan’s debilitating presence or yield to his temptations or experience the shame and paralyzing guilt that he tries to inflict. The consistent testimony of Scripture is the victory of Christ over the demonic and the authority and power that is ours if we believe, if we take our stand in the name and authority of the risen Christ, ‘for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world’ (1 John 4:4)” Sam Storms

Jesus Wants World-Changers (v.18-20)
v.18-20 – “As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marvel.”

What a powerful ending to an amazing story! I don’t blame the man for wanting to go with Jesus! But Jesus has greater plans – he sends this man into the world with nothing but his testimony!

This may proclaims Jesus and everyone marvels at this man! He is a walking testimony! He is a world-changer! We are called to be this as well! We have a testimony and we are called to be world-changers!

When you encounter Jesus – you will change the world!