Legion.
General question of demon-possession. An aggravated form of Satanic influence. Intelligible enough on the principle of provocation and desperation: light and darkness are strongest side by side. The advent of Christ roused to intense activity and excitement the whole demoniacal realm. In this scene there is exemplified—
I. MORAL ANTAGONISM.
1. Instinctive. Spontaneous; prescient; yet furnishing no intelligible reason. "An intensified spiritual presentiment" (Lange).
2. Weakness of the demoniac shown by:
The exorcism, doubtless so often uttered over him by magicians and ecclesiastics, is all the lore he seems to possess in the way of religion.
3. Strength of Christ proved by calmness and self-possession, and resolute pursuit of his object.
4. Utter and absolute. "What have I to do with thee?… Torment me not."
II. MORAL ASCENDANCY. (Mark 5:9-13.)
1. Instant exercise of authority. Calm, self-possessed, and fearless. He had already discerned and measured his opponent, and decided as to how he would deal with him.
2. Spiritual insight and skill. The great Physician had made diagnosis of his case. Mental surgery was needed, based upon the most profound truths of psychology. The man had to be discriminated and freed from the indwelling demon. The former had little or no sense of his own personal identity. A Roman legion had probably been quartered near, and when he saw their number and power he felt that they somewhat resembled that which had quartered itself within his own nature. With maniacal vanity he readily adopted the title, "Legion." Pride and wretchedness were probably both involved in the retention of the name; it represented the dominant principle in his confused consciousness. Christ asked him, "What is thy name?" that he might rouse him to a sense of personal identity: a wise measure.
3. Rectoral discipline. "He gave them leave:" apparently their own suggestion, but granted
III. MORAL DECISION. (Mark 5:14-20.) The Gadarenes had to make up their minds with respect to the great Stranger.
1. The data. (—Mark 5:14-16.) Material and moral stood forth in opposition, as in so many other instances. How was their relative importance to be estimated?
2. The decision. A unanimous petition for him to depart. How could such men be expected to judge otherwise? They had grand ideas of Christ, but of the wrong sort.
3. The response. Instant departure. He took them at their word. "They believed not on him," and acting upon their unbelief urged their request. The conflict of anger and fear, fawning and obstinacy. A word was enough; nay, a wish, even unexpressed, has often secured the same result. Not the storm, not the evil repute of the people, not even the horror of the demoniac, could deter him from coming; but a word sent him away! How careful should men be in their attitude to the heavenly Visitant! He went, but not without having, in the person of the restored maniac, a monument of his saving power and grace. Every region and every heart has its witness to the same.—M.
Satanic possession a destruction of personal identity.
I. INSTANCES AND ILLUSTRATIONS.
II. IMPORTANCE OF PERSONALITY FOR TRUE RELIGIOUS AND MORAL LIFE.
III. THE RESTORATION OF THIS THE GREAT WORK OF CHRIST.—M.
Mark 5:10; Mark 12:1-44, Mark 13:1-37; 17- 19
Prayers granted and denied.
No caprice visible in our Lord's decisions. On the contrary, great moral principles are revealed. The whole conduct of Christ on this occasion, therefore, is of importance for the practical guidance of Christians.
I. THE PETITION OF THE DEMONIAC. (Mark 13:10.) "He besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country." No heed is paid to this request, notwithstanding its passionate earnestness. Why?
1. The man himself was not praying. He was depersonalized and besotted by the possession of the devils, and not responsible for his words or actions. It was to free him from this thraldom Christ had undertaken his case.
2. It would have neutralized the intended mercy to the man to inflict the evil upon others.
3. There was no real submission in the real petitioners. They were still devils, unchanged in their character, and desirous of working further mischief. Powerless, they still desired to do evil.
II. THE REQUEST OF THE DEVILS. This was granted, notwithstanding the character of those who made it. A marvel, truly; devils heard and answered by Christ! Is he in league with them?
1. It was a choke of a lesser of two evils. It seemed necessary that some visible form should receive the dispossessed spirits, that all, especially the man himself (cf. on the probable principle of cure, the preceding sketch), might be able to realize that the dispossession had actually taken place. As simply dispossessed, they might have taken up their abode in some other soul; but by giving direction to them after dispossession, they were confined to brutes; and the catastrophe that resulted was probably foreseen by Christ. In the destruction of the swine the demons were dismissed speedily right out of the terrestrial sphere.
2. And in that destruction a punishment was inflicted upon the Gadarenes, who as yet were sordid, neglectful of the Law (forbidding the rearing of swine), and unspiritual.
III. THE ENTREATY OF THE GADARENES. It was at once answered, Because:
1. It involved a deliberate and intelligent rejection of the Saviour. They had seen his wondrous moral triumph and the destruction of the swine; but in their estimate the material loss far outweighed the spiritual gain.
2. There were others elsewhere who were "waiting for him."
3. The healed demoniac might be even more effectual as a preacher than himself. He was a lasting monument of his power and grace. Time might be needed to let the miracle sink into the popular conscience.
IV. THE PRAYER OF THE RESTORED MAN. A natural desire under the circumstances. Fear lest the devils should return if he were left to himself, cud gratitude and love for his Benefactor, doubtless actuated him. But he is denied! This must have wounded his feelings, and disappointed him. But:
1. It was not prudent for Christ at that time to have one so closely identified with devils in his company and occupied in his service. The charge had been made (Mark 3:22) that he was in league with Satan.
2. It was not the best life for him to lead in his present condition. Privation and excitement were not suited to one who had been emaciated and weakened by the devils.
3. A work of greater use and personal obligation awaited him where he was. He was the only disciple of Christ in that benighted land. Those who had been scandalized by his previous life, and had suffered from it, were to be first considered. The home that had been desolated was to be revisited, and cheered by the kindly presence and saving influence of the redeemed one.
GENERAL LESSONS.
1. Prayers may be granted in anger, and denied in love.
2. Lesser evils may be allowed to prevent greater ones.
3. Duties are to be considered before privileges.—M.