Mark 5:18-20 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”  20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
 
DO you ever wonder how you, one person, can make a difference for Jesus? Look, then, to the redeemed man of the Gerasenes. No longer does Legion – an army of demons – control him. His insanity has become a right mind. He is an average-looking man, saved to live as one should. Oh, how he wanted to be with Jesus. He begged to go with him!
   Here’s where the man began to live into his new freedom. For the first time in many years he had choices. But sometimes choices are very difficult for people who have been trapped in despair. With Jesus the could begin a new life more easily!
   Jesus, though, had a purpose for him. Jesus saved him to be an evangelist, to plant kingdom seeds. Jesus commanded him, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 
   It is obvious he did so because all the people were amazed. Jesus chose this very broken man with a terrible reputation for evil to demonstrate his power to change all people regardless of their broken lives into the good life. Some of you reading this have come from Satan’s brutal occupation of your mind. Now in your salvation, you can testify to what Jesus has done for you. And we who hear are amazed.
   Now here’s something that will amaze you. The Decapolis was a group of ten cities: Scythopolis, Hippos, Gadara, Pella, Philadelphia, Gerasa, Dion, Canatha, Raphana, and Damascus. Note this. One of the early Christian churches is in Philadelphia (Revelation 1:11). Damascus had many early belilevers, and the apostle Paul began his work there. Hippo was a central city of the early church and Christian learning. It was at the Council of Hippo in 399 AD that the books of the New Testament were established as we know them today. It was from Hippo that great theologians, including Augustine, would study, write and tell the truth of Jesus Christ’s amazing work. Augustine had lived a very immoral life. He could tell the world how much Jesus had done for him.
   Do you think it all began because one transformed man obeyed Jesus’ command to tell how much Jesus had done for him? One of the best ways to help people know Jesus is to tell them how much Jesus had done for you. Your true story is a transforming story. People must know the Lord God is a personal God, who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. (Psalm 103:3-6) Pause and consider the power you possess to tell someone what Jesus has done for you. Who knows? Your testimony may affect the world 2,000 years from now.

Mark 5:15-17 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. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man – and told about the pigs as well. 17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.
 
WE continue with Jesus’ encounter with the demons in the region of the Gerasenes. Jesus’ primary mission was to save a particular man from the devil’s gross captivity. How wonderful to know our Lord God personally comes to each of us to deliver us from the Evil One. (Matthew 6:13b) Second, Jesus wanted to show to the Gentiles his power to change lives. But what was their reaction to the Deliverer?
   They became afraid. When 2,000-plus swine drowned in the sea, the community lost significant income. Even though Legion had possessed the man and given him enormous strength to threaten people of the region, they were more afraid of the Lord’s grace and love! There was no rejoicing, “The man is saved!” because the owners, herdsmen and merchants has suffered economic loss. With loss on their minds, the people could not know the Savior, who had delivered the man from evil, could give them that day their daily “bread” – food for a new mind of faith. A mind set in self-purpose is a very difficult mind to change.
   Where do you set your mind – on self or on the Savior? One way to consider your answer is to ask yourself, “Have I ever sent Jesus away?” Perhaps we have sent Jesus away when we told a “little white lie” to avoid blame. Or did we spend too much time with friends and miss good time to be with our family? Did you send away Jesus when you wanted to be angry with your spouse? We will tell Jesus, “Go.” when we reject his commands and kingdom principles. We like it where we are, even if disappointment chains our minds. What would have happened if the Gerasenes had welcomed Jesus? Surely something new and exciting would have come to them as
   That’s what happened to Sychar, the Samaritan village who welcomed Jesus: John 4:40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers. Faith changed minds and created a new community of faith. Fear certainly left that village.
   Your mind will change when you release fear to grasp onto the renewed mind the gospel promises: Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but are transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
   When the choice comes to tell Jesus, “Go.” or “Come.” embrace his mind-renewing grace. Worship him with the knowledge he has come to direct your mind to the possibilities of a full, satisfying life with him.

Mark 5:11-15 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 evil 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. 14 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 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.
 
WHAT do you think? Is it better to restore one man’s life or save 2,000 pigs?
   Legion, the name of the demons in the man, pleaded with Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” Why? One reason is they do not want Jesus to send them to hell. They are demons. They know how horrible it is in the abyss. The second reason is that destruction is their purpose. All they know to do is to destroy mankind and his possessions. Through this, their goal is to extinguish our relationship with the Sovereign LORD.
   We learn this in Job’s story when the devil destroyed Job’s possessions and then his family (Job 1). But Satan wasn’t satisfied. He wanted to destroy Job’s health, too (Job 2). Satan did this to turn Job against God. The devil’s arrogance challenged the LORD: Job 1:10 “But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The demons wanted to destroy this property of the Gentile community, so they would curse Jesus to his face.
   People do this, don’t they? When hard times or great loos happens to people, it’s easy to say, “This is your fault Jesus!” Job’s wife even counseled Job, “Curse God and die.” (Job 2:9) “Don’t trust God! Just give up and stop living.”
   You probably know people who have responded to hard times in that way. They live cursing God as they blame him for their heartache. If we think God owes us with only good things, we can easily blame God when things are bad. After all, he is the Sovereign LORD. Why would God cause or allow bad things to happen to his people?
   We must understand that in God’s complete control of the world, he allows evil to exist, so we can know his goodness. The Lord does not want you to be a robot programmed to obey him. He wants your heart to be affected with his love, so your will freely choose to obey his commands. He desires your worship because you love him, not because he forces you. Under God’s sovereign authority, evil exists until the day he says it won’t. Your daily walk is to trust him as Satan’s forces strive against you. Confess his majesty over your life. Respond to the grief as Job did: Job 2:10 “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
   The Gentile community placed the pigs above the man. Their fear of more material loss chased Jesus away. When you are saved in Jesus’ blood, know you can accept hardship because he has given you life everlasting.
     More on this in the next lesson.   

Mark 5:6-10 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? Swear to God that you won't torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you evil spirit!” 9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your 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.
 
WHAT would it be like if you lived in total subjection to a king? As a subject of the king, you would be committed to obey to his commands. His authority would absolutely rule your life.
   Scripture repeatedly shows the demons know Jesus is the King of Kings, the Most High God. When the demon says, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” he submits to Jesus by revealing his name. This is a terrible thing for the man. “Legion” could refer to the number 2,040, the number of men in a Roman Legion! Demonic possession is relentless. Still, they truly know God is the absolute authority. They understand they exist only because God allows them exist. Demons also know that because they followed Satan from heaven, they will follow him into torment. Revelation 20:10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
   Still this evil army possessing the man wanted a measure of God’s favor. They begged Jesus again not to send them out of the area. They know his power is ultimate. When the Christ acts, the Christ acts and nothing will hold him back.
   How could those evil spirits expect Jesus to listen to their plea?
   We learn their desperate reason in Luke 8:31 And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. In truth the demons were begging Jesus not to send them into hell. They wanted to remain in the area, so they could continue to torment other people.
   In this exchange, Mark emphasizes the great chasm between God Most High and Satan. Satan’s purpose is to bind people with many devices. To overwhelm one person with 2,040 demons defines the depth of evil that rages over the earth. Everything Satan does is to bind mankind’s soul to isolate us from our Father in heaven.
   In contrast Jesus illustrates how God comes in grace, mercy and peace to deliver us from the hateful bondage.
   How about you? Do you believe that? If Christ is your Savior, he is also your King. You are a citizen of the Kingdom of God. A subject of the King, you are subject to the King. Evil cannot touch you when you submit to his authority.
   Do you receive his words as the authority of your life? Do you pray for mercy in the authority of his forgiveness of your sins? Do you pray for his kingly power to heal the broken relationships, the hurts in your life?
   Pray to Jesus as the ultimate authority of your life because he is.  Stop and think about this: One day you will stand before Jesus’ authority. Will you beg for mercy or praise him for his mercy? 

Mark 5:1-5 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. 
 
CAN you imagine anything so horrible? This man lived among the dead. He was insane. He was supernaturally strong and violently opposed all who came near him. He cut himself with stones.
   The man’s condition aptly describes the devil’s hold on the unredeemed soul. He cuts into the mind to infect mankind with a nature that aggressively rejects God’s commands. He chains the world with the acts of the sinful nature that are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. (Galatians 5:19-21a) Human power cannot subdue Satan. He corrupts the image of God, isolating humanity from God who is love. Our only salvation from the devil’s hold on the world is God’s grace to free us.  
   That’s what Jesus did that day in the region of the Gerasenes. In God’s providence, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee to engage in a battle against the Evil One through the demon-possessed man. The Sovereign God is more powerful than Satan. The Savior comes ashore as the liberating army of God come to rescue the lost. The Holy Spirit moved the demon-controlled man to go to the irresistible Son.
   The gospels use such phrases as great crowds, many people and large numbers went to see him. God’s Son, the Holy One of God, ministered in the Spirit’s power, and many came to him.
   Then the Son commanded. Suddenly disease was gone. The Teacher taught. Listening ears heard his authority. Jesus called. Men dropped their nets, left the tax collector’s booth, stood up from their idleness, put aside their politics, and they followed.
   Even the demons could not resist him. The demons controlled this man. But they do not run from Jesus’ authority. When the LORD comes, they must go to him. He is LORD of heaven and earth. The rebellious spiritual realm must submit to his lordship. These demons know he is their Master. That day the Holy Trinity was at work in the region of the Gerasenes. In the Spirit’s power, the demons went to Jesus to await his commands.
   How good it is to live under Jesus’ commands in the Spirit’s power. The sinful nature is dead. God’s nature is producing living fruit:  Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Praise God he has delivered you unto life.
  

Mark 4:39-41 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
 
THE disciples were terrified. Is this the right response to Jesus’ authority over nature? In one way it is. The disciples had been with Jesus for some time when he calmed the storm on the sea. They witnessed his numerous healings. But there is no record they were terrified of Jesus then. What caused this deep fear of the Lord at that moment?
   Perhaps for the first time they realized Jesus had all authority over their lives. He could destroy them or save them. They suddenly knew they were in the presence of the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. (Psalms 146:6) His unlimited, pure power stood next to their unknowing hearts. His sovereign authority determined the destiny of their sin-filled souls. His all-knowing mind dwarfed their limited understanding. He held their mortal lives in his words. Why would they not tremble in fear?
   Yes, now they are beginning to more clearly see who this Jesus is in their own lives. They are growing in their understanding that their rabbi is the LORD of the covenant, who came to Abraham (Genesis 12, 15, 18). He is the angel of the LORD, who spoke to Moses from an unconsumed burning bush (Exodus 3). He is the One who led Israel through the desert with a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night. He is the commander of the Lord’s army (Joshua 5) who guided his people into the Promised Land. The disciples knew the LORD has spoken, and they are afraid. And just as Moses and Joshua, they knew they were on holy ground. God transformed Moses into a powerful leader when Moses fully submitted to God. Joshua learned how essential it is for God’s followers to listen closely to all God says.
   Did the disciples learn these lessons? As it says in Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”  Jesus had revealed himself as the Holy One. Through this terrifying experience, they begun to understand that they must really listen to their rabbi. They know his words will not only calm the winds, his words will even transform their lives. 

Mark 4:35-40 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don't you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
 
HOW often have you asked Jesus, “Lord, don't you care if I drown?” When God seems to be sleeping on a cushion while the winds of frustration, doubt, worry or pain are threatening to sink you, you want to know, don’t you? How has Jesus answered you?
   Perhaps he’s answered as he did the disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The disciples probably didn’t like his answer. Did he ridicule them for their fearful hearts?
   The Teacher used the raging winds and the swamped boat to teach the Twelve two faith-growing lessons: They need to remember who he is. They need to remember who they are.
   He showed them who he is. He is the merciful Son of God, who has authority over all nature to care for those he loves.
   His action also reminded them who they are. To this point in their relationship with Jesus, the disciples had seen Jesus do wondrous signs only God could do. But when they asked, “Don’t you care?” they rejected the essential reason for Jesus’ ministry. Read carefully Paul’s teaching on that reason in Galatians 4:4-7 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
   Now, in our world today, there is great objection to the use of “sons” to talk of all people. But Paul and the Holy Spirit are not favoring males. The word “sons” here means that everyone who has faith in Jesus has the same status before the Father as the Son of God has! In the most amazing miracle of all, the Spirit of the Son has come into your heart. This grants us the privilege to call to God with the personal, “Abba, Father”. Sonship also means we have the same access to the Father as Jesus does. How deeply God blesses you and keeps you as his own!
   Jesus’ question, “Have you no faith?” urged the disciples to remember what he had done to restore bodies and to cast out demons. He pointed them to their faith, so they would trust he would care for them on the boat at that moment and for eternity.
   By faith, the Lord has granted this knowledge to you. Your faith must be your strength that tightens your grip on the Lord’s salvation. Know the Savior is with you to calm your fears. Trust his care to guide you safely into his home.
   Our next lesson will remind us how we respond to being sons of God.

Mark 4:33-34 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
 
DO you want to get to know Jesus really well? Then become a disciple. What does a disciple do? He or she spends a good amount of time with Jesus.
    A disciple’s goal in Israel was to become like his rabbi. That’s why Jesus had many special teaching times with his disciples. He gave them the opportunity to know what Jesus knows. They would also learn how to do what Jesus does. To answer Jesus’ command to, “Follow me.” the disciples engaged with him mentally, emotionally and physically. Disciples literally followed a rabbi as closely as they could. They crowded around him as he walked. They sat or stood close to him as he taught. They were attentive. They asked questions. Jesus clarified his parables’ meanings. He is the Teacher who wanted to be sure his students learned the true meaning of his lessons. The Teacher wanted his students to have perfect scores on their “Disciples’ Test”! Their disciplined following eventually caused Jesus’ way to become their way.
    How do you become a disciple? You first sit and listen. You must literally sit with his Word and come to know God’s history of his work in the world. Learning God’s story is absolutely necessary for you to understand his work in your life. The Word transforms your mind when you learn of those who sacrificed and suffered to make God known to neighbors and to nations. You learn why God formed Israel. You understand why the LORD blessed Israel and why he cursed his chosen nation. God’s story teaches you what God detests and what he loves. Knowing these things with ears to hear will help you become a disciplined follower of the Lord God.
    A disciple also sits with others to ask questions and learn the Bible. It’s essential you engage in effective Bible study. The Bible has too much information to learn on your own. You will help others learn what you know. They will help you learn what they know. Disciplined disciples help make disciples.
    Disciples also listen to God’s Word. Today you can listen in any number of ways. Yu can listen to preaching in church and teachings on television and on the radio. Podcasts and websites are available with some of the world’s best teachers free of charge. God’s Word is everywhere. You just need to make an effort to hear it.
    You might say, “That’s too much.” But it’s not. If you did these things for 30 to 60 minutes a day, you will learn a great deal. And besides, how could you get too much of the eternal God? How could you get too much of the God who paid the extravagant cost or your sin with his life and now freely offers you eternal life?
    To be Jesus’ disciple requires discipline to follow him as he commands. Good discipline always strengthens. Commit to your Lord, so you will be a disciplined follower of the Lord of your life.  
      

Mark 4:30-32 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.”
 
HAVE you ever been around a mustard plant? They’re not so big. As a boy on the farm I would walk the grain and hay fields to pull up mustard plants and put them in a bag. It was the only way 60 years ago to remove the weed and save the crop. So what, then, is Jesus talking about here? How can a mustard seed grow into a huge plant with branches for birds to perch?  
    The King of the Kingdom is talking about Kingdom of God growing. The kingdom is not a worldly kingdom. It is a supernatural kingdom, where the natural becomes greater than we can know. When Jesus stepped into the world, he taught with many examples to inform us God’s kingdom is a spiritual domain. For example he tells the Pharisee Nicodemus in John 3:5 “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.”  This is our supernatural birth into Jesus’ resurrection.
    Jesus also revealed the kingdom’s supernatural power when he transformed blindness to sight, lameness to strength, leprosy to wholeness, sin to forgiveness and death to life. Jesus’ mustard seed parable expressed God’s kingdom would begin small and then grow to care for all his people.
    That growing process occurs each day. It began with one man – God in the flesh – to teach the kingdom. He expanded it through his disciples. Then the Spirit gave the apostles God’s power to grow the kingdom. From the small seed of 12 men, the gospel has branched into the world. One day all kingdom citizens will be in the eternal kingdom of rest and pleasure at the Tree of Life: Revelation 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
    This parable is also a good illustration of your faith experience. Faith is very small when the Spirit plants it into your soul. He then guides your faith to grow as he uses true teachers, his Word and your experiences to understand his supernatural work in your life. At first this is not easy to know. But the Spirit grows your heart to know God, to love God, to worship God, to trust his mercy and to know his grace. You will grow to know your new life is truly born again. Ane you will know rest and shade in Jesus’ eternal protection.  

Mark 4:26-29 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain – first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
 
GOD often used a crop’s harvest as an image of his redemptive plan. When he brought Israel from Egypt he commanded, “Celebrate the Feast of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field. Celebrate the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field. (Exodus 23:16) The feast would celebrate God’s provision of food and remind Israel of God gathering them from bondage.
    The Bible also concludes with God’s harvest: Revelation 14:15 “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” God’s providence set the time for the Exodus harvest. And he has set the time for the final harvest.
    Jesus’ parable describes God’s harvest as a partnership with mankind. One sows the seed. He is God’s chosen messenger to tell the gospel. The gospel will grow in saving power and authority because the Lord has directed it to do so. The seed sower can control how much seed he sows. But he cannot control the growth. He can help nurture the plant with water and nutrition. But the plant’s growth is in God’s design.  
    This has been God’s pattern throughout history. The LORD God has chosen such people as the patriarchs, the prophets, the apostles and the church to sow the seeds of his Word. The Spirit has planted the gospel’s redemptive seed into many hearts. He has empowered the chosen to sow and the faith seeds to grow. God has directed the sowing. God has empowered the growing.
     What happens when the plant has a full kernel? Many kernels become food for people and animals. Some kernels become new seed for new plants and ultimately a new harvest.
    This is the Christian life, isn’t it? When the Spirit awakens you to the gospel message, you become a new seed in God’s kingdom. He plants you into the good soil of his Word. The Spirit grows you in faith to become a kingdom kernel. You sow seed to plant new truth into new soil. You tell your friends. You tell your children. The Kingdom of God grows through you.
    Then what? God has chosen the harvest time. One day God will harvest your life from earth into eternal life. But unlike the annual grain crops, you don’t know when that will be.
    What do you say? Is Jesus’ truth planted, growing and maturing in you? Are you ready for the harvest? Are you partnering with God to help others be ready? 
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