Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” (v.8)
After showing His authority over the natural world in chapter 4 by calming the wind and the waves on the Sea of Galilee (v.39), Jesus here in chapter 5 shows His authority over the supernatural world, by casting out demons from a man living among the tombs of the Gadarenes (vv.2-13); He also displays His power and authority over death, by raising a young child to life who had passed (vv.39-43).Who is this man? The demons in this chapter said it best, “Son of the Most High God” (v.7). They knew who He was, they knew of His power and authority, and they feared Him. Luke’s gospel tells that they begged Him not to be sent to the abyss (bottomless pit - Luke 8:31). Here in Mark 5 they implored Jesus not to torment them (v.5), nor send them away out of the country (v.10), but that He allow them to enter a large heard of nearby swine (v.12).
I find it interesting that demons knew more about Christ, His authority and power, than those who claimed to know the scriptures. They (the demons) knew enough about Him to try and avoid His immediate righteous judgment, by pleading for embodied life within a heard the pigs. But even the unclean pigs wanted nothing to do with these demon spirits. For once they entered, "the pigs they ran violently down a steep place, into the sea, and drown” (v.13).
We serve a great and mighty God. The One who has authority over all things. Who speaks to the wind and the waves, and calms them. The One who holds all things together, or breaks them down, by the power of His voice.
The Truth: “For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” (Colossians 1:16-20)
