In Mark 5: 1-20 we come upon a man who was possessed by demons. Now this is different than when Jesus came in contact with two men possessed by demons. This man is by himself, living in the hills and burial caves. He has been bound by chains of which he broke. Nothing, no-nothing could contain him. What is strongest to take control of this man is JESUS’ word, a spoken word (not chains or ropes)
In verses 6 & 7:
6 When he saw Jesus from a distance,
he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.
7 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!”
To me what is interesting here is that the demons recognize Jesus and are fearful, but the apostles still struggle with who Jesus is.
Jesus responds by telling the unclean spirits to come out of this man. Then Jesus asks the spirits what is his name.
“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.”
10 And he begged Jesus again and again
not to send them out of the area.
Now this demon was many, legion which was probably 3 to 6 thousand soldiers in the Romans.days. He is fearful, defensive, does not want Jesus to interfere with his ‘mission’ in this man. He begged Jesus not to send them out of this area. Next comes an interesting part. Look carefully at what happens:
11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” 13 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.
A large herd of pigs are feeding – now at this time pigs are unclean to the Jews, they could not be eaten or touched by the Jews. This occurred in the region of the Gerasenes, a Gentile region, explaining why pigs could be involved.
People who saw raced off to town to tell others, then: 15 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.
The people did not understand and they were afraid, pleading with Jesus to leave. The demon possessed man wanted to go with Jesus, but was told no, to go to his town and tell the people what the LORD had done for hom.
Jesus gets in a boat and crosses to the other side of the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him.
Jairus was responsible for supervising worship, running the weekly school, and caring for the building. Many of these leaders had close ties to the Pharisees, so for Jairus to bow before Jesus was a significant and perhaps daring act of respect and worship. So Jesus started that way.
While walking to the synagogue a woman who had been bleeding for years heard that Jesus was coming near her. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
For you and I this may be nothing, to be in a crowd and someone touch part of our garment. That is because we are not Jesus, HE felt the power of healing come out and knew someone had touched his cloak. Because of her tremendous faith she was healed immediately.
Jesus asked who touched his cloak (he already knew, but needed confirmation to give glory to God). The disciples are saying there are so many people, how could we tell? Why would you ask, probably many have touched you?
Jesus was looking around to see, the woman realizing she was healed came and dropped at His feet. Jesus’ response: “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
Jesus continues on to the synagogue to the little girl. Oh, but to understand the power and workings of Jesus. As He approached there was wailing and crying, mournful crying over the dead girl. They said not to bother the teacher (Jesus) as it was too late. Jesus chose 3 apostles to go with him to the girl, Peter, James, and John (the brother of James).
When Jesus said the girl was only sleeping the people laughed at him. He put everyone out except the 3 and the mother and father of the little girl. Then: 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old).
Everyone was astonished, amazed. Jesus gave strict orders not to tell others of the miracle. The time had not yet come for Jesus’ confrontation with the religious leaders and He still had a lot to accomplish. He did not want people following Him just to see miracles, but to truly believe.