seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Mark 5:1 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, 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.
6 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? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure 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.
11 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 impure 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. 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.
18 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 own people 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.
I often think of this story. I think the "Andy Griffith Show" and "Wanted Dead or Alive" covered this topic quite well in one of their story lines.The town drunk has a relative that is coming to town and the town drunk has to make a good impression. Sherriff Andy or Josh Randall [pick your show] sobers the guy up and makes him all presentable.... and when the relative arrives.... they are sloppy drunk and have to be sobered up too!
This guy was in really rough shape.... he had been chained outside of town. The pig farmers in the area were tired of dealing with his insanity. They couldn't kill him, he wasn't in his right mind, so he really did nothing wrong but bug the heck out of everyone. So, they chained him out in the tombs... I guess the grave diggers fed him.
Anyway, along comes Jesus! The demons in this guy jump for joy! Yippee... finally a worthy opponent! And Jesus just sent those demons right into the pigs. Poor pigs.... ran right off a cliff. Well, that disposed of the demons neatly.... but the pig farmers were out all the money they had invested in 2,000 pigs!
Do you remember when we use to call the tax on tobacco and alcohol a "sin tax"? I guess they would have loved to charge Jesus a "sin tax" for those 2,000 pigs.
Why were there so many pigs? The Jewish laws forbid them from eating pigs. This area was in the area of Jordan. There were a lot of Roman soldiers to feed, I guess the Romans really enjoyed a good rack of ribs.
That's a lot of pork!
