{"id":3165,"date":"2012-05-07T18:30:31","date_gmt":"2012-05-07T22:30:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.faithlafayette.org\/church\/?p=3165"},"modified":"2014-07-21T10:13:26","modified_gmt":"2014-07-21T14:13:26","slug":"eyewitness-to-a-miracle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.faithlafayette.org\/church\/eyewitness-to-a-miracle\/","title":{"rendered":"Eyewitness to a Miracle"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ever wonder what it would have been like to personally witness one of Jesus&#8217; miracles?\u00a0 It must have been incredible.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Imagine if your dead child was powerfully brought back to life.\u00a0 What would it have felt like to have your leaprous mother cleansed and returned to your family?\u00a0 How would you have responded if the lame beggar you passed for years suddenly stood to his feet?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What follows is my\u00a0attempt to capture with fiction the miraculous events described in Mark chapter 5 as a pair of demon-possessed men were set free by the power of Christ.\u00a0 I hope it will do three things for you&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Provide you with even greater reason to praise God <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Help you to see the power of personal testimony<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Motivate you to share your story with others<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Voyage to the East<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A sense of dread gripped the band of twelve as their boats approached the eastern shore of the\u00a0Sea of Galilee.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Just a few hours before, their Master had instructed them, \u201cLet us go over to the other side.\u201d<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This instruction came in the evening of what had been a particularly troubling day.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Earlier that day, Jesus had squared off against a group of Pharisees who rejected His authority.<span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">These Pharisees had witnessed the Master\u2019s healing of a blind mute who was demon-possessed.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But instead of praising Jesus for the marvelous work, they attributed His miracle to the power of Satan.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Such opposition from the religious leaders was not a new occurrence, but on this particular occasion, Jesus\u2019 response had been especially sharp.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">And, though none of the twelve understood precisely why, their Master\u2019s demeanor seemed changed following the incident.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">These events had taken place in Galilee<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, a region that had been generally receptive to the ministry of Jesus.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Despite the antagonism of some, many in the area had embraced what Jesus was doing.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">After the altercation with the Pharisees, it seemed reasonable to the disciples that they should reach out to those who would respond with greater favor to the message of the Master.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">And this is why the disciples were so perplexed when they heard Jesus say, \u201cLet us go over to the other side.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Approaching Shore<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">After all, what lay on the other side of the sea?<span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Certainly, they would not find an audience receptive to the ministry of the Messiah.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For on the other side lay the lands of the Gentiles, the region of the <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Decapolis<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The territory to the east of the <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sea of Galilee<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> was a pagan land.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Centuries earlier, it had been settled by the seven nations whom the Israelites had driven out during the conquest led by Joshua.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Since that time, the Greeks had established cities that had become Hellenistic centers of culture and worship.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If any region could be considered the domain of Satan, surely it was the <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Decapolis<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">And this was precisely where Jesus was leading His disciples\u2014into the heart of the opposition.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A Satanic Welcome<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The early light of morning painted strange hews upon the Gentile lands.<span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The high cliffs that formed the landscape cast broad shadows across the waters of the abyss below.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">From their boats, they could see Gerasenes, the godless heathens who inhabited the region, traveling along a road near the shore.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As the disciples left their boats for the road ahead, they felt as if they were entering the presence of evil itself.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Each man questioned within himself why Jesus would lead them to this forsaken country.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cArrgghhaahh!\u201d<span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A tormented scream rang out among the cliffs, cutting through the still calm of morning.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The unearthly sound was both guttural and piercing, like that of a fresh-wounded beast.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Startled by the fearsome shriek, the disciples immediately turned to identify its source.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\">\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Gerasene travelers also turned, but upon seeing what must have been a familiar sight, they quickly fled, screaming in response to the approaching figures.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">From among tombs carved into the nearby rock came two twisted figures.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They were hurling themselves rapidly toward Jesus and His disciples.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Though the figures clearly were not animals, they did not seem fully human.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\">\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As the men approached snarling and screeching, Jesus and the disciples could see that one of them was naked.<span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">From his wrists and ankles swung the remnants of broken straps and chains which had apparently been used at one time to bind him.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some of the disciples, taking their cue from those who were fleeing, began to run away from the men but stopped when they saw that the Master did not follow.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">One of the fleeing Gerasenes shouted to the disciples, \u201cAre you mad?<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They\u2019re possessed.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">No one is strong enough to subdue them.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">No chains can hold them.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They\u2019ll kill you if you stand there.\u201d<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Jesus did not move.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Unexpected Worship<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To the amazement of all who were watching, the demonized men did not maul Jesus and the twelve when they reached them.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Instead, the one who was naked threw himself down and bowed low before Jesus.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">At this distance, the disciples could see the deep gashes where the man had ripped apart his flesh using stones and sharp objects.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">His filthy body was riddled with scars, and many of the fresh wounds were still oozing with blood.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Speaking to the demons, Jesus commanded, \u201cCome out of the man, you unclean spirit!\u201d<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Gerasenes who had not fled observed the exchange with great curiosity, for Jesus did not attempt to remove the demons in the same manner as other exorcists.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He did not recite any incantations or formulas<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He did not appeal to the power of any person, god, or gods.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He simply spoke to them.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He commanded them on the basis of His own authority.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As the demonized man prostrated himself on the ground before Christ, he looked up through crazed eyes and roared, \u201cWhat do I have to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A Shared Past<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">An audible gasp could be heard among the gathering crowd of Gerasenes, who began murmuring to one another about the possessed man\u2019s astonishing words.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The man knew the Stranger.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Even more astonishing was the fact that he referred to Him as \u201cSon of the Most High God.\u201d<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">These demons within the man were acquainted with Jesus.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This was not the first time they had been in His presence.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Long before, prior to the great rebellion of Satan and his minions, these creatures had offered their worship and service to Christ.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Here again, they bowed low before the One who possessed the right to command them.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Spiritual Realities<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Crying out to Jesus, the demons asked, \u201cHave You come here to torment us before the time?\u201d<span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Though their words perplexed both the people and the disciples, Jesus understood their reference.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">These demons acknowledged the spiritual reality of their situation.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They knew that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the long-awaited King who would establish His throne upon the earth.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They recognized that the establishment of Christ\u2019s kingdom would mark the beginning of the punishment that awaited them (Revelation 20).<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But they also understood that the time for their torment had not yet come.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Rather than directly speaking to their inquiry, the Master asked, \u201cWhat is your name?\u201d<span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In response, the demons answered in pained and mangled tones, \u201cMy name is Legion; for we are many.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Obviously, the man was unable to reply for himself.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">His abused body had been overtaken by a host of demons who began to writhe about on the ground before the Lord.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A Strange Request<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Assuming that Jesus would then exact His judgment, they did not try to defend themselves or cast aspersions upon Christ.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 Instead, they r<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">ecognized that their punishment would be deserved, and they pleaded with Jesus for mercy.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Begging Him not to consign them to the place of their eternal punishment, the demons bawled, \u201cSend us into the swine so that we may enter them.\u201d<\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The disciples and the Gerasenes were baffled by the exchange that was taking place between Jesus and the man.\u00a0 They could only speculate why the demons would request to be sent into the herd of pigs feeding on the nearby mountain.<span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Perhaps, they thought, the demons wanted to enter the swine because the pig was the sacred animal of the fertility cult to which many of the regional pagans belonged.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They postulated that the unclean spirits may have found the unclean animal of the Jews a fitting alternative to their human residence.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Or perhaps, they supposed, the demons didn\u2019t want to be cast disembodied into the <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sea of Galilee<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, which was sometimes referred to as the abyss.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Aside from Christ and the demons, no one present understood the punishment that awaited Satan and his forces in the abyss on their day of reckoning.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">An Unceremonious Exit<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In response to their request, Jesus commanded, \u201cBe gone.\u201d<span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">At that, both men collapsed to the ground, freed from the occupation of their tormentors.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In almost the same moment, earsplitting squeals from atop the mountain pierced the air.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The disciples and Gerasenes gasped in wonder as they turned their attention to the herd of swine now bucking and butting in a panicked cacophony of shrieks on the nearby slopes.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Driven mad by the evil power that now inhabited them, the herd of roughly two thousand swine began thrashing and rampaging about.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In less than a minute\u2019s time, the frenzied herd began careening down the steep bank.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Driven by the unearthly force within, their squeals were silenced by the suffocating waters of the sea below.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A\u00a0Hardened Response<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">At seeing this terrible sight, the Gerasene observers and the mountain herdsmen fled to the city to report the fearsome happenings they had witnessed.<span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many returned not long after to find an astonishing sight.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The men whom they had known as wild and treacherous were clothed and seated at the feet of the Master.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">No longer were these men prisoners within their own bodies.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They had been liberated.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">And they looked with gratitude upon the One who had freed them.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Seeing these men, who had been so radically altered by the Stranger named Jesus, and understanding what had happened to the swine, the Gerasenes were filled with fear.<span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Instead of turning to Jesus, the Gerasenes hardened their hearts.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Jesus had demonstrated great power in the healing of the demonized men, and some were frightened by this power.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Others were angered because, for them, the swine represented a source of revenue that had been swallowed by the <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Galilean <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sea<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Caring more for themselves than the men who had been freed, the Gerasenes pleaded with Jesus and His disciples to depart from their lands.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Parting Instructions<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Saddened by the wickedness of the people, Jesus and the disciples turned and departed for their boats.<span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">However, they did not walk alone.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They were followed closely by the men who had been possessed all the way to the shore.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As Jesus began to climb into His boat one of the healed men grabbed onto Him, pleading that he might be allowed to come with Him to become one of His disciples.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Jesus turned to the man,\u00a0a<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">nd looking into his eyes, Jesus instructed him, \u201cGo home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">At this, Jesus sat down in the boat as He and the disciples shoved off to make for the shores of <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Galilee<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The once-tormented men could only watch from the shore as their Savior drifted away on the waters.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Story Spreads<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Undaunted by their Lord\u2019s departure, the men rejoiced in the miracle God had accomplished in their lives that day.<span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Energized by the mission Christ had entrusted to them, the men traveled about the <\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Decapolis<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, visiting cities and villages, speaking of the great things Jesus had done.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As they shared their story, the inhabitants of the land took great interest in the One who had healed them.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The ministry of these men sparked a flame that would spread throughout the region.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The fruits of their efforts were witnessed when Christ returned to the <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Decapolis<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> (Mark 7:31-8:9).<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Century Gothic;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The testimony of these men caused many to come to Jesus for healing and instruction, for salvation and life eternal.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This post attempts to capture with fiction the miraculous events described in Mark chapter 5 as a pair of demon-possessed men were set free by the power of Christ.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":3175,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[10013,145,4437],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO 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