Mark 5: Casting out Devils

                Jesus and His Apostles go into the country of Gardarenes where Jesus is immediately met by a met on the shore that had an evil spirit. The man was so possessed that he had to be placed in chains in a tomb, but no chains or any form of restraint would keep him locked up. We learn that the man was so tormented by this evil spirit that he cut “…himself with stones.” (Mark 5:5).

Jesus immediately blessed the man and cast the spirit out of him; we learn that the man’s name was ‘Legion’, and that there were many who were possessed.  Jesus casts all the evil spirits out, and allowed the evil spirits to enter into swine nearby. The evil spirits actually pleaded with Jesus to let them enter into the swine, which were 2,000 swine. Jesus knew that the evil spirits would never obtain bodies and therefore permitted them to enter into the swine. However, after being in a human host for so long, they soon realized that a pig’s body was not what they wanted and all of them (all 2,000) jumped off a cliff into the ocean, where they “…choked in the sea.” (Mark 5:13)

                Once the man Legion was free of his evil spirit, he asked to come on board with Jesus and follow him. Jesus however, told him to return to his friends and family and tell them the great this of the Lord. The man Legion followed this advice and returned to where he came, and published the great works of the Lord, and people did marvel.

Jesus returned to the ship and passed over to the other side, where He was met by Jairus, who was one of the rulers of the synagogue, who did ask for a blessing on his daughter. While Jesus was traveling to see the daughter, He was touched on the hem of His garment by an old lady. This lady had suffered a disease of the blood throughout her life and told herself; “…If I many touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.” (Mark 5:28), so she touched the garment of Jesus as He passed by her. Immediately after passing by, the woman felt that she was whole and that her disease was cured. Jesus stopped promptly, because He felt “…that virtue [power or strength] had gone out of him…” (Mark 5:30). The woman was now fearful and dropped at His feet and confessed to touching His garment. Jesus then told her that “…thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.” (Mark 5:34)

                When Jesus finally arrived at the synagogue to attend to the daughter of Jarius a man from the synagogue yells; “…Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master…” (Mark 5:35) This man thought that the daughter was dead and nothing could be done. It is interesting that people had heard of the miraculous powers of Jesus or witnessed them first hand, yet people still did not believe that He could bring someone back from the dead? Jesus responds to the man; “…Be not afraid, only believe.” (Mark 5:36)

Jesus then commands Peter, James, and John to follow Him into the house. The people in the house are very skeptical of Jesus, so Jesus asks them; “…Why make ye this ado, and weep? The damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.” (Mark 5:39) But, like most of His critics, He received laughing.

Jesus then sends everyone out, except the parents and His Apostles. He then took the daughter by the hand and said to her; “…Talitha cumi; which is… Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.” (Mark 5:41) The damsel did arise, she being only 12 years old.