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Query:
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As I read this question there came to my mind the story of the two madmen of Gergesa. I know that they are representatives of what human nature really is like when we take away the veneer of Christian civilisation. So my answer this month is based on that story.
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Matthew 8:
28 And when He was come to the other side [of Lake Galilee] into the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. 29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Are you come here to torment us before the time?”
30 And there was a good way off from them a herd of many swine feeding. 31 So the devils besought [begged] Him, saying, “If You cast us out [of these humans], suffer [allow] us to go away into the herd of swine.”
32 And He said to them, “Go” [You may].
And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters. 33 And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils. 34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw Him, they besought him that He would depart out of their coasts [area].
Mark 5:
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 However Jesus suffered him not, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them how great things the Lord has done for you, and has had compassion on you.” 20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
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In the early morning the Saviour and His companions came to shore, and the light of the rising sun touched sea and land as with the benediction of peace. But no sooner had they stepped upon the beach than their eyes were greeted by a sight more terrible than the fury of the tempest the night before. From some hiding place among the tombs, two madmen rushed upon them as if to tear them in pieces. Hanging about these men were parts of chains which they had broken in escaping from confinement. Their flesh was torn and bleeding where they had cut themselves with sharp stones. Their eyes glared out from their long and matted hair, the very likeness of humanity seemed to have been blotted out by the demons that possessed them, and they looked more like wild beasts than like men.
The encounter with the demoniacs of Gergesa had a lesson for the disciples. It showed the depths of degradation to which Satan is seeking to drag the whole human race, and the mission of Christ to set men free from his power. Those wretched beings, dwelling in the place of graves, possessed by demons, in bondage to uncontrolled passions and loathsome lusts, represented what humanity would become if given up to full satanic control.
Satan's influence is constantly being exerted upon men, women and children to distract the senses, control the mind for evil, and incite to violence and crime. Although he successfully weakens the body, darkens the intellect, and debases the character, he is not very often capable of reaching the level of these madmen, because of the lightening influence of Christianity. But whenever men and women reject the Saviour's invitation, they are yielding themselves to Satan's dominion. Multitudes in every walk of life, in the home, in business, and even in the church, are doing this today. It is because of this that violence and crime have overspread the earth, and moral darkness, like the pall of death, enshrouds the habitations of men.
Through his temptations Satan leads mankind to worse and worse evils, till utter depravity and ruin are the result. The only safeguard against his power is found in the presence of Jesus in our lives. Before humanity and angels Satan has been revealed as man's enemy and destroyer, while Christ has been shown as man's friend and deliverer. Given our permission after we become Christians His Spirit will develop in us all that will ennoble our characters and dignify our natures. He will build Christian humans up for the glory of God in body and soul and spirit. "For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but [the Spirit] of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7.
He has called us "to the obtaining of the glory" – the character - "of our LORD Jesus Christ." He has called us to be "conformed to the image of His Son [the Son of man]." 2 Thessalonians 2:14; Romans 8:29.
On the beach the disciples and their companions fled in terror; but presently they noticed that Jesus was not with them, and they turned to look for Him. He was standing where they had left Him. He who had stilled the tempest, who had before met Satan and conquered him in the wilderness, did not flee before these demons. When the men approached Him, gnashing their teeth and foaming at the mouth, Jesus raised that hand which had beckoned the waves to rest, and they could come no nearer. They stood raging but helpless before Him. But He had not come to punish them.
With authority He bade the unclean spirits come out of them. His words penetrated the darkened minds of the unfortunate men. They dimly realised that One was near who could save them from the tormenting demons. They fell at the Saviour's feet to worship Him; but when their lips were opened to entreat His mercy, the demons’ spokesman answered through them, crying vehemently, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God most high? I beseech You, torment me not."
Jesus asked, "What is your name?" And the answer was, "My name is Legion: for we are many." Using the afflicted men as mediums of communication, they then asked Jesus not to send them out of the country. Upon a mountainside not far distant a great herd of swine was feeding. The demons asked to be allowed to enter into these, and Jesus granted them permission knowing full well what they intended. Immediately a panic seized the herd from the presence of the devils. They rushed madly down the cliff, and, unable to check themselves upon the shore, plunged into the lake and perished. By this Satan hoped to spoil the Son of God’s plan.
Meanwhile a marvellous change had come over the demoniacs. Light had shone into their minds. Their eyes beamed with intelligence. The countenances, so long deformed into the image of Satan, became suddenly mild, the bloodstained hands were quiet, and with glad voices the men praised God for their deliverance.
From the cliff the keepers of the pigs had seen all that had occurred, and they hurried away to publish the news to their employers and to all the people. In fear and amazement the whole population flocked to meet Jesus. The two demoniacs had been the terror of the country. No one had been safe to pass the place where they were; for they would rush upon every traveller with the fury of demons. Now these men were clothed and in their right mind, sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to His words, and glorifying the name of Him who had made them whole.
But the people who beheld this wonderful scene did not rejoice. The loss of the pigs seemed to them of greater moment than the deliverance of these captives of Satan.
Yet it was in mercy to the owners of the swine that this loss had been permitted to come upon them. They were absorbed in earthly things, and cared not for the great interests of spiritual life. Jesus desired to break the spell of selfish indifference, that they might accept His grace.
But regret and indignation for their financial loss blinded their eyes to the Saviour's mercy.
The manifestation of supernatural power aroused the superstitions of the people, and awakened their fears. Further calamities might follow from having this Stranger among them. They expected financial ruin, and determined to be freed from His presence. Those who had crossed the lake with Jesus told of all that had happened on the preceding night, of their peril in the tempest, and how the wind and the sea had been stilled. But their words were without effect. In terror the people thronged about Jesus, begging Him to depart from them, and He complied, taking ship at once for the opposite shore.
The people of Gergesa had before them the living evidence of Christ's power and mercy. They saw the men who had been restored to reason, but they were so fearful of endangering their earthly interests that He who had vanquished the prince of darkness before their eyes was treated as an intruder, and the Gift of heaven was turned from their doors.
We have not the opportunity of turning from the person of Christ as had the Gergesenes; but still there are many who refuse to obey His word, because obedience would involve the sacrifice of some worldly interest. Lest His presence shall cause them monetary loss, many reject His grace, and drive His Spirit from them.
But far different was the feeling of the restored demoniacs. They desired the company of their deliverer. In His presence they felt secure from the demons that had tormented their lives and wasted their manhood. As Jesus was about to enter the boat, they kept close to His side, knelt at His feet, and begged Him to keep them near Him, where they might ever listen to His words. But Jesus bade them go home and tell what great things the Lord had done for them.
Here was a work for them to do - to go to a heathen home, and tell of the blessing they had received from Jesus. It was hard for them to be separated from the Saviour. Great difficulties were sure to beset them in association with their heathen countrymen. And their long isolation from society seemed to have disqualified them for the work He had indicated. But as soon as Jesus pointed out their duty they were ready to obey. Not only did they tell their own households and neighbours about Jesus, but they went throughout the area of Decapolis [the ten cities], everywhere declaring His power to save, and describing how He had freed them from the demons.
In doing this work Jesus knew that they could receive a greater blessing than if, merely for benefit to themselves, they had remained in His physical presence. Now He handed them over to His Spirit as their Guide for it is in working to spread the good news of salvation that we are brought near to the Saviour.
The two restored demoniacs were the first missionaries whom Christ sent to preach the gospel in the region of Decapolis. For a few moments only these men had been privileged to hear the teachings of Christ. Not one sermon from His lips had ever fallen upon their ears. They could not instruct the people as the disciples who had been daily with Christ were able to do. But they bore in their own persons the evidence that Jesus was the Messiah. They could tell what they knew; what they themselves had seen, and heard, and felt of the power of Christ in their lives, for that is the gospel.
This is what everyone can do whose heart has been touched by the grace of God. John, the beloved disciple, wrote: "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; . . . that which we have seen and heard declare we to you." 1 John 1:1-3.
As witnesses for Christ, we are to tell what we know, what we ourselves have seen and heard and felt. If we have been following Jesus step by step, we shall have something right to the point to tell concerning the way in which He has led us. We can tell how we have tested His promise of deliverance, and found the promise true. We can bear witness to what we have known of the grace of Christ. This is the witness for which our Lord calls, and for want of which the world is perishing.
Though the people of Gergesa had not received Jesus, He did not leave them to the darkness they had chosen. When they bade Him depart from them, they had not heard His words. They were ignorant of that which they were rejecting. Therefore He again sent the light to them, and this time by those to whom they would not refuse to listen.
In causing the destruction of the swine, it was Satan's purpose to turn the people away from the Saviour, and prevent the preaching of the gospel in that region. But this very occurrence roused the whole country as nothing else could have done, and directed attention to Christ. So God often turns Satan’s plans back upon him.
Though the Saviour Himself departed, the men whom He had healed remained as witnesses to His power. Those who had been mediums of the prince of darkness became channels of light, messengers of the Son of God. Men and women marvelled as they listened to the wondrous news. A door was opened to the gospel throughout that region. When Jesus returned to Decapolis some time later, the people flocked about Him, and for three days, not merely the inhabitants of one town, but thousands from all the surrounding region, heard the message of salvation.
Without the use of force on God's part, even the power of demons is under the control of our Saviour, and the working of evil is overruled for good.
And souls that have been degraded into instruments of Satan are still through the power of Christ being transformed into messengers of righteousness, and are being sent forth by the Son of God to tell what "great things the Lord has done for you, and has had compassion on you." THEY are rightly called "Christian".
Conclusion:
Saved by grace:
No matter how evil we have become as natural humans, it is Christ's desire that we be set free from the evil nature within and changed into Christians. This is accomplished in a moment by His power and without any works of ours. Our NEED is the great catalyst. In this way we become Christians and are "justified", saved by faith.
Then, Jesus desires that we go forth to our family and neighbours and tell them what has happened. That is our work and is called "sanctification". Then our listeners will be able to see for themselves that God's promise of salvation does work! And this may give them the impetus they need to ask for it for themselves.
Acts 1:
7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in His own power. 8 But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses to Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.”
It is NOT the norm for us to go away from home to foreign countries unless we are specifically called to do so by the Spirit of God. It is enough for us to work in our own neighbourhood. But as we tell others so it will spread throughout the world. (Jesus stayed in Israel all His life but the good news spread everywhere.)
Genesis 25:
21 And Isaac entreated [prayed to] the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If it be so, why am I thus?” And she went to inquire of the LORD. 23 And the LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from your bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.”
What did this struggle mean and why in the womb?
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