Today we will find that Gods word is perfect. When we studied in Matthew about this man from the tombs we realized that Gods word does not contradict itself, but rather we have two writers that see the same thing, but say it differently. Matthew said he saw two come out from the tombs, but Mark will say he see’s one man and an unclean spirit. Both are the same. But here in Mark I find a better, more vivacious account of the event. So, let’s get started and Mark 5:1 reads.
Mark 5
[1] And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.
[2] And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
[3] Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
[4] 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.
[5] And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
This man was in torment by the unclean spirit, and no man could help him. He had been bound but not kept in chains.
Mar.5:6] But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,
The man ran and worshipped Jesus.
Mar.5:7] 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.
But when the man came and worshipped, the unclean spirit spoke.
Mar.5:8] For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
[9] And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
[10] And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.
What they said was don’t send us back where we came from, that would be death to them. But Jesus does not send them back instead to show you that you now have power over them, (in Jesus’s name). For that we go to Luke 10:19-20 and it reads.
Luke10:19] Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
[20] Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
This means we can cast out devils, but do this in the name of “Jesus Christ” that it is He only that can handle them. Do not be like that man and his sons that tried but got their butts whipped in Acts 19:13-17. Let’s read.
Acts.19:13] Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
They didn’t even know Jesus.
Acts.19:14] And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
[15] And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
[16] And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
[17] And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
It is Jesus that has power and Jesus that they fear. But that he gave us this power is awesome, just know that if you use it you had better know Gods word. For if you don’t fill that person with Christ then you hurt more than you have help. Luke11:24-26 reads.
Luke 11:24] When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.
[25] And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.
[26] Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
Do not leave someone without Christ, especially if you have cleansed them of an evil spirit. This was very important to understand is why we went there. Back to Mark 5 and verse 11 reads.
Mar.5:11] Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.
[12] And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
[13] 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.
Even animals are smart enough not to have evil spirits around.
Mar.5:14] And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.
[15] And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
[16] And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.
They lost money. They were pig farmers and lost their heard, but were not concerned about the man that had been possessed. And they were Gentiles, because Hebrews would not be eating swines flesh.
Mar.5:17] And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.
[18] And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.
[19] Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
[20] And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
He that had been possessed wanted to follow Jesus, but was not of Israel, and couldn’t, so Jesus used him to convert a whole town of Gentiles. What compassion our Lord showed.
Mar.5:21] And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.
[22] And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
[23] And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
A priest of the local synagogue, had great faith that Jesus could heal, but did he believe he was the Christ?
Mar.5:24] And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
[25] And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
This woman and the child that Christ was on his way to heal, share the number 12. Twelve means government perfection in biblical numbers.
Mar.5:26] And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
[27] When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
[28] For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
[29] And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
When Jesus heals you, it is complete, and immediate.
Mar.5:30] And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
[31] And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
[32] And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
[33] But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
[34] And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
Jesus wasn’t mad or anything like that, He just wanted to talk to her and bless her.
Mar.5:35] While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
[36] As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
[37] And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
[38] And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
[39] And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
God will not be mocked. I wonder how they that did, faired later on.
Mar.5:40] And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
Jesus put out all unbelievers before He healed her. Cannot have them around when an healing is about to happen.
[41] And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
This is Syria, so he spoke in Aramaic which was in her tongue. Remember the father was a priest in the synagogue, a Jew.
Mar.5:42] And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
[43] And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.
In Luke we find more specific instructions. Luke 8:55, and it reads.
Luke.8:55] And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.
[56] And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.
Give her meat, not milk. Think spiritually, feed her Gods word in depth. This is what I try to do everyday. Feed his sheep, feed his lambs, feed his sheep. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you, in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible