Dr. Thomson discovered on the eastern shore the ruins of a village called Khersa. In other words, even though he set the bar extremely high, he seemed to be a fascinating man. Those demons were terrified of Him! Non-Christians can often experience this fear of Jesus as well. First let us see what the Sacred Texts says: The swineherds ran off and told it in the city and in the country. As always, we must begin with the principle: Interpretation is one, application is many. I will not look for a reason to return to it. Only 30 of 175 dioceses ordained an average number of priests at or above replacement level over the five years from 2016 to 2021, according to the report. Like the Samaritans who followed the woman at the well to see this One who had told her all she had done, so these residents came to see for themselves what had happened. The religious rulers hated Jesus for exposing their hypocrisy and feared the consequences His actions might have with Rome, but they were not afraid of Jesus as a Person. But here we speak not about a bishop, but about Christ who made His Godhead revealed through devils beseeching Him not to cast them to hell but enter the swine. Jesus never interacted with people as they were, but as He knew they were created to be. They valued their pigs more than they valued salvation. I think the coup de grce is to look up the Greek word for country in these passages, to see what latitude of meaning it has. Lets face it, we all like to be in control. Spam. The Lord, in an act of great mercy, freed the Gadarenes' man by casting the demons out of him and allowing them to enter a nearby herd of pigs. Jesus deserves the benefit of the doubt even when we don't have all the facts. But about a mile further south there is a fairly steep slope within forty yards from the shore, and about two miles from there cavern tombs are found which appear to have been used for dwellings. William L. Lane, The Gospel According to Mark (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974), p.181. The account occurs in all three Synoptic gospels; in Mark (the shortest gospel) the story is in the longest and most detailed version; Matthew 8.28-34 is the shortest, Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. These people did not want to change. Or they are too afraid of what the change might bring. Thats why also Peter having realized who Christ was, was dreaded and asked Him to leave him for he said to be a sinful man (Luke 5:8). March 2020 Whenever a man, woman, or child surrenders control of himself either to fleshly desires (anger, lust, passion, etc.) Not long after that, while I was still a student in seminary, there was a car parked by the seminary in a somewhat suspicious manner and I called the police to check it out. Now' as to the pigs (an unclean animal, so you know Jesus wasnt in Israel! What about us, as Christians, are we afraid of Jesus? 14. How to prove that the supernatural or paranormal doesn't exist? French Monastery Survives War and Famine After 885 Years, the Basilica of St. Ambrose in Milan, and More Great Links! Pig carcasses were washing ashore and drifting out to sea. April 2021 61-62. You can flip a coin hoping for heads, but you know that tails is a very real probability. Also, the wholesale slaughter of these pigs dramatically illustrated the destructive purposes of the demons. To date they have failed to respond in any way. If Jesus had that kind of power, then He could not be controlled. There probably were not many who had been told yet of the Messiah, and so were not yet believers. June 2022 But let us return to the gist of the matter: if Christ showed them His Divinity through the reason given above, is it easy to be in the presence of God? In the form of tongues as of fire, the Holy Spirit rests on the disciples on the morning of Pentecost and fills them with himself. (CCC 696). For many Christians today, the horrifying experience of Legion should be sufficient testimony of the reality of the Satanic underworld. First of all, I believe Mark was attempting to warn his Gentile readers of the great danger of demonic influence and activity. Neither is it only a kind of physical disease, although spiritual and physical disease often accompany it (e.g. No matter where you are on life's journey you are welcome here! . At the conclusion of this day of teaching by parables, the Lord had instructed His disciples to cross over the Sea of Galilee to the other side. These men were a danger to themselves and others. It is something like the behavior and personality change in a man who is totally intoxicated. Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. 1 They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. You are welcome here. May the Spirit of God be so evident in us that men may see God in our lives. He said he had come to the house of Israel, not to the gentiles. 125 This is the position of Lane, Mark, p. 187. Why did Jesus allow the legion of demons to stay in the area when they begged him? 127 The view of Greek philosophy was that these were the spirits of those who lived in the Golden Age. November 2022 The conduct of this pathetic individual was obviously anti-social. Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. Thats just westernised interpretation which simply doesnt work when interpretating a Jewish book. At the side of Kersa the shore is level, and there are no tombs. Matthew 9:2-8 Why was "This man is blaspheming" considered an evil thought without knowing Jesus' identity? Author of The Gnostic Notebook series, stand-up comedian, and Gnostic. 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. Verse 1. April 2020 Its ruins include two amphitheaters, a basilica, temple, a hippodrome, aqueducts and colonnades, showing its importance and stature. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighbourhood. Demon-possession is, therefore, not merely a mental state in which someone suffers from a delusion or is subjected to some subjective disturbance of the world of ideas. What was it that caused these people to react in such a way? Romans 9:19-23). Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. December 2021 As the servant of Elisha was told, Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them (2 Kings 6:16). Jesus is conscious that He now breaks the power of the devil and his angels because He is the One in whom the dominion of God is present on behalf of humanity. W. Foerster, as quoted by Lane, Mark, fn. Demon possession, such as that of the Gerasene demoniac is the crudest and cruelest form of Satanic control, but by and large also one of the less common manifestations of Satans work in the world today. 2,8) who can possess men and animals. When Jesus and his disciples come to the mostly-Gentile region of the Gerasenes, they are met by a man whose life has been destroyed by demonic infestation. 112 Skeptics and liberals have made much of the differences between the Gospel writers as to the place Jesus landed with His disciples. In Galilee and Judea there were Messianic hopes which would have been quickly fanned into flames if the miracles of Jesus were too widely publicized. 2 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. The Gospels use different names for the place where this occurred: This is supposedly a contradiction. Gerasa is (as we know) some 30-35 miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee, but may have also been the name of the larger region. In this context, however, he insists that legion has nothing of its usual Roman military overtones, but is the designation of numerous powers which oppose themselves to Jesus as the embodiment of the power of God. Lane, Mark, fn. I will not ask him to leave. They found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus' feet, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. But from all of the Gospel accounts, I get the distinct impression that this mans eyes were riveted on Jesus. February 2016 Another approach is to note the different intentions of the Gospel writers. Lets learn why. So he got into a boat and returned. I think that this story is a little bit of an Easter story. We will examine two incidents -- the stilling of the storm on the sea of Galilee, and that which follows immediately, the healing of the demoniac. And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another . iv. Sign up for 6 Free IssuesTry us out with a free trial subscription. His greatest impact would be on those who knew his former state. One is to disbelieve in their existence. . No! The reply Legion118 may be some kind of evasion, a reluctance on the part of the demons to individually identify themselves. It was not the loss of their property or investment that caused them to be afraid of Jesus. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Daniel 10:13; Ephesians 6:12), whose leader and prince is Satan (Matthew 12:24). Satans most useful instrument is the outstanding, outwardly moral and upright religious man, whose good deeds are done independently of God. Sproul says in his commentary on Mark, When the Holy One is manifest in the midst of unholy people, the only appropriate human response is dread.. Paul tells us that our struggle is, at bottom, a spiritual one (Ephesians 6:12). For some people, the cost is too high. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. The miracle referred to took place, without doubt, near the town of Gergesa, the modern Kersa, close by the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, and hence in the country of Gergesenes. The price tag of possession was high, for those who fell victim to the demons agonized in constant torment. That the unclean spirits were personal beings is evident from what is related about their leaving a possessed person, talking or crying out, possessing knowledge concerning Jesus, as well as other supernatural knowledgeshowing fear, and the like. Jesus had been performing miracles in Gods nation - Israel. Yet, conversely, the known can be just as scaryif not more. Your comment will be posted after it is approved. Where it falls apart for me is why the Bellonas, knowing that only one person is allowed to survive each duel, take the defeat so personally. We dismiss it the more readily, that, in our view, it conveys a wrong impression. I understand why," the HBO "Real Time" host told Jake Tapper on Tuesday as part . The choice is to be free by submission to Christ (cf. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). I have always wondered what my Christian brothers had to say to the police officers by way of explanation. Events that are important to our Church Community, Mark 5:1-20 Jesus Heals the Gerasene Demoniac. 36Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. Renew or manage your subscription here. Although it is often claimed that Christians were persecuted for their refusal to worship the emperor, general dislike for Christians likely arose from their refusal to worship the gods or take part in sacrifice, which was expected of those living in the Roman Empire. September 2018 Unfortunately, Christians [or those using the name] can be harsh, condemning and critical driving people further into sin and away from God. How Can a Person Get Rid of Evil Spirits. June 2015 art thou come hither to torment us before the time? October 2020 Jesus was saying, (demonstrating) that He had all authority, in any land. Luke 8:26And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. Smiths Bible Dictionary provides what I find to be a quite plausible explanation (not special pleading at all), and analogous to how we still use place names today: These three names are used indiscriminately to designate the place where Jesus healed two demoniacs. Here in Mark, he purposely set out to travel into another land. The center of personality, the volitional and active ego, is impaired by alien powers which seek to ruin the man and sometimes drive him to self-destruction (Mk. You can like Jesus for two different reasons. Men in their unbelief suppose that the choice is either to be free (independent of God) or to be the slaves of Christ. "I am afraid of Trump on a very personal level because I don't think he likes me. 118 H. January 2017 This incident in the Gerasenes requires some entry understanding. What scared them was a power so fierce it could free a man. seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. Those who had seen it told them how the man who had been demon-possessed had been healed. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. in a crowd in a crowd where many people were bumping into Him? And, yes, Dana did just read us something about a man possessed by a whole bunch of demons that later go and possess a bunch of hogs. Why were the people of Gerasene afraid of the presence of Jesus among them? Series NotesScripture references are based on the King James translation. Brazilian Charity Caring for Children Who Survived Abortions Issues Urgent Appeal, Memento Mori: Remember You Are Going to Die, The Meat of the Matter: St. Patricks Day and the Lenten Fast. This was surely not so in every case, and perhaps in none. They were not looked upon as necessarily evil in all cases. 3); they are reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day (Jude 6); and what the unclean spirits deprecate here, is the bringing in, by anticipation, of that final doom. R. C. Trench, Notes on the Miracles of Our Lord (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1949), p. 100. They came face-to-face with the Son of God, the Being with the power to change their world forever, and they said, "Please leave." Why? Ouija boards are found in many American homes. Why would God tell King David to take a census of the people in verses one through nine, and then cast judgment on him because he did what he told him to do? Nor was it the Jewish population of Galilee. Wasn't the answer obvious? HELPING CHRISTIANS BUILD POSITIVE, GODLY FAMILIES, CHURCHES, AND NATIONS, Follow us on social media for daily Scripture comments and more at. It is Geldenhuys who gives us the most concise description of demon-possession: in the New Testament demon-possession means that a person is dominated by the spirit of a demon and tormented by him. When our Lord confronted the demons, they had to submit to His power and authority. The most likely answer is to the country of the Gerasenes: i.e., Gerasa, a Greek town thought to be the same as the similarly-named Kersa on the east shore of Lake Tiberias. Why are trials on "Law & Order" in the New York Supreme Court? The drowning of the swine was an accident, possibly simultaneous with the healing, and report mixed up the two incidents. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Jesus showed to the local population the inferiority of pagan life. His animal-like shrieks must have sent chills up the spines of any who were nearby. So much pain, so much sin. . The time of this event was before Jesus' crucifixion, and before the gentiles were grafted in to the promise (Acts 10). Such an entreaty can be addressed by them to only God. The city of Gadara and its surrounding area are referred to as the Gadarenes. It would seem that these people had no Messianic expectations, and therefore wanted nothing to do with One Who had such awesome power, a power over which they had no control. The Lord refused this request and commissioned this delivered man to return to his own people and declare to them what God had done for him. The region was known also as the Decopolis because ten Greek cities were located in the region. "They sailed to the country of the Gerasenes which is opposite Galilee. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. April 2015 When once he was an instrument of Satanic opposition against the Messiah, now he is a witness to His power. He obviously attracted crowds. to men facing fear and death. First of all the Scriptures do not say that the local Pagans were afraid of Jesus, but that they merely begged him to leave their neighbourhood. The drowning of these pigs has caused a great deal of discussion amongst Bible students, for as a friend of mine once observed, Thats a lot of pork chops! Had our Lord achieved such a miracle today He would have been in deep trouble. The presence of holiness and, moreover, the most intense divine holiness is undesirable; I mean, unless you are an angel or a saintly recluse in his ascetic toils in a cave or a top of a pillar. Even the demons confessed that He was the Son of the Most High (Mark 5:7). If they dare to open up their lives to Jesus what will happen? Understand the meaning of Luke 8:37 using all available Bible versions and commentary. Order Bulk SubscriptionsGet a discount on 6 or more copies sent to your parish, organization COMMENTARY: Atheism is generally the expression of a moral attitude more than a real intellectual conviction based on evidence thought through. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighborhood. 2ff., xvv. They greatly desire to enter and control a physical body, whereby they may reflect their character and attributes. So who was afraid? Fear that you might do something that would embarrass you? On the other hand, the scene gains in grandeurhas, so to speak, a fitting backgroundif we suppose the Saviour and His disciples to have landed on the other side late in the evening, when perhaps the silvery moon was shedding her pale light on the weird scene, and laying her halo around the shadows cast upon the sea by the steep cliff down which the herd of swine hurried and fell. Holiness hurts! Flavius Josephus and Steve Mason, Flavius Josephus: Life of Josephus (Boston; Leiden: Brill, 2003), 47. Follow Up: struct sockaddr storage initialization by network format-string, How do you get out of a corner when plotting yourself into a corner, Movie with vikings/warriors fighting an alien that looks like a wolf with tentacles. I asked why people are afraid of commitment and relationships and some said they are afraid because they fear being hurt again. On several occasions, when Jesus forgave someone, He specifically said, Go and sin no more. That only works for people who are sick of their sin and want to change. The man, who was naked when he saw Jesus, had the added ability of enduring both freezing and sweltering temperatures as well as pain he inflicted upon himself! And they were afraid. Anonymous, October 25 2014 40, vii. Gerasenes could have had a sense of reference to the entire region (as well as to a city: just as New Yorker can refer to the state or city), and Gadarenes likely was a reference to the most prominent city of the region at the time. In any event, I love defending the Bible and Christianity. Many times people - Non-Christians and Christians - push Jesus away because they do not want to change. And, it can not be understood properly out of this context. Luke 8:37Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them: for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. March 2015 Mark 3:14).
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