Preached by Pastor Jeff Hamling
Sunday, February 7, 2021 Mark 5:1-20
Where My Demons Hide
Introduction:
This is one of the more puzzling passages in the NT; it leaves us scratching our heads with multiple questions. For example:
What were the events in this man’s life that led him to become demon possessed and live out such a miserable life?
We never learn this man’s name. Why is it that Jesus asks the demon what his name is, but he doesn’t ask the man what his name is?
The passage indicates that the demon possessed man is filled with thousands of demons. Why so many demons in one man?
And of course, perhaps the biggest question is: What’s with the pigs? We all grew up loving the cute little pigs in our stories: Wilber, Piglet, Miss Piggy, Porky Pig, Babe, and the piggy who went to the market. But here, all those pigs and 2000 more crash into the sea and die! What’s going on with the pigs?
Hopefully, we will answer most, if not all, of these questions.
This will be a two-part sermon series:
Today, in Part 1, we will look at this story from the political perspective. This is a story about politics, government, and the kingdom of God. (Big picture—we won’t cover all the details of the passage in this first sermon)
And then in Part 2, we will look at this passage from the personal perspective. We’ll see that this story is about God’s relentless pursuit to bring healing to your brokenness.
Two Questions:
How is this story about politics?
What if, I told you a contemporary version of this story? For example:
Jesus arrived in Washington DC and walked over to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. As soon as he arrived, a naked, homeless vet approached him and yelled at Jesus. He was demon possessed and these demons tortured him. Jesus asked the demon his name and he said, “My name is ‘Military Industrial Complex’—for we are powerful.” Nearby was a heard of elephants and donkeys, and Jesus cast the demon into them. The herd was then taken to Guantanamo Bay Detention camp where they perished.
You might not understand it all. But you’d have a good idea that there are some strong political undertones.
Christians in the first century were similarly aware that this story is making a political statement.
How do we know that? Here are four clues:
The Region: In v.1 we’re told that this story takes place in the region of the Gerasenes. This region was on the eastern frontier of the Roman Empire which meant that it was filled with multiple military outposts.
Also, it was populated by retired Roman soldiers who were given land here as payment for their service.
The point is: This region had a strong association with the Roman military.
The Demon Possessed Man In v.2-5 a man who is possessed by an impure spirit rushes out to meet Jesus. Both the people and the demons in this area have brutalized, bound, and oppressed him.
In v.9, Jesus asks the demon his name. The demon(s) replies: “My name is Legion for we are many.” There are multiple demons taking residence in this man.
What’s significant is that they use the name “Legion.” Why Legion? He could have said my name is multifarious, or numerous, or millennia.
But he doesn’t. He says, “My name is Legion.” Why that name?
Because “Le