3 Applicable Lessons from the Story of the Demon-Possessed Man

People had tried to help him, if only to subdue him, possibly so that he couldn’t harm himself further. But the shackles and chains they secured around his wrists and ankles could not hold him. He superhumanly burst through them, so violent was his nature.

I recently read this account with fresh eyes and was in tears as I pictured this poor man raging around the mountains east of the Sea of Galilee — naked, no less — pulling at his hair, howling in despair, and picking up rocks to slice at his body. The vision, for me, was painful. What this man must have suffered is incomprehensible!

But — one of the greatest words in the Bible — Jesus came along. It wasn’t a random “coincidence” that he chose that location, either — the “country of Gadarene’s.” It was a country of multiple ethnicities, both Jews and Gentiles, and ten cities known as the Decapolis. Jesus intentionally selected that region because, being omniscient, he knew that this man was there, someone he would heal and charge with a mission to that area.

The moment Jesus’ sandals touched the shore the man rushed to him and fell at his feet. Jesus immediately began rebuking Legion, who was pleading with the Most High God for mercy. Oh, the irony!

But Legion was no match against Jesus, as Legion well knew. He begged not to be sent out of the country, but instead “let us enter [the herd of pigs]” that was feeding nearby. Jesus “gave them permission” and the demons entered the 2,000 pigs, which then “rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned” (vv. 12-13).

Everything erupts into chaos at this point. The frightened herdsmen ran back to town to broadcast what had just happened and the curious people came out to see for themselves.

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My mind, however, stays with the man, whose mind had just been freed from its demonic prison. I picture him sitting now at Jesus’ feet, a cloak draped around his naked body, and I wonder: What were his thoughts now that he was “in his right mind”? He was finally, mercifully, at peace. There were no more nasty, accusing voices. Just…silence. It must have been overwhelming for him. The tears he cried were not from agony anymore but from sheer joy and gratefulness.

Yet the chaos continued to swirl around him. The townspeople were scared by what they saw. The miracle man they had known as the raving lunatic was now sitting contentedly on the ground. The sight of him was too much to comprehend. They were out of their minds with fear, and they “begged” Jesus to leave. They wanted nothing to do with him.

But the miracle man did. As Jesus was departing, he “begged that he might be with [Jesus].” He wanted to follow Jesus, maybe even become one of his disciples. Why wouldn’t he, after all? He’d had an incredible, personal encounter with the Most High God!

But Jesus told him instead to go and declare how much God had done for him (v. 39). So, he did. He went about the 10 cities and bore witness to the miracle of Jesus casting Legion out of him and giving him new life.

Those who knew the man and his previous state did not need much convincing, however. But for those who didn’t, the man had only to point to the jagged scars on his body from where he’d cut himself with rocks — evidence of the darkness that had once imprisoned him but were now healed because of the grace and mercy of God.

This incident made such an impression on Jesus’ disciples that three of them included this remarkable miracle as an attestation of Jesus’ power over the satanic world, epitomizing 1 John 4:4, “Greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.”

While we typically, and rightly so, focus on Jesus in these stories, we sometimes miss the lessons we can learn from the individual who had an encounter with the Most High God. This miracle man’s profound experience provides three relatable and relevant principles which we can live by today.

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Jesus was not repulsed one bit by this man’s appearance, though he was horribly filthy and unkempt from grubbing around the mountain in his birthday suit for who knows how long. He likely smelled hideously from lack of proper hygiene.

Nor was Jesus put off by the man’s mental condition from the demonic possession. The man wasn’t welcomed in the city because of this; people were afraid of the threat he posed, so he spent his days and nights separated from everyone, isolated, crazed, roaming among the dead.

In the larger narrative, this man represents all of mankind: lost, living in a fallen, spiritually dead world, separated from God, broken, and spiritually naked. Yet, he also beautifully illustrates that there is no one is outside the reaching, healing, loving grace of God. No one!

“Over and over Scripture demonstrates how valuable souls are to Jesus. No Soul is left behind when it comes to our Lord and Savior,” writes Megan Taylor. “Jesus stepped into [this man’s] mess, unbound and redeemed him. He gave him a new life and new purpose. Whatever situation you are bound by, He can redeem, release, and restore. He will turn your mess into something that can be used for His glory and create purpose from your pain.”

Agreed! Whatever brokenness or nakedness you’re experiencing now — anxiety, depression, addiction, sexual immorality, involvement in criminal activity, etc. — you are not too far gone for God. Like this miracle man, you have only to run to Jesus and fall at his feet, to beg (ικετεύω, “implore, beseech, plead”) for the forgiveness of your sins and the restoration of your soul. Jesus will, without judgement, lovingly cloth you in his righteousness and holiness (2 Corinthians 5:21), offering you his peace, which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

To me, this man epitomizes Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Our own brokenness and nakedness are the backdrop for us sharing the Good News. People are more apt to be receptive and listen when you open up about your own broken past and sins. They will see from your testimony that you were once broken, like them, but not beyond repair.

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As with others who’d personally encountered Jesus — Peter, Andrew, James, and John — this miracle man also wanted to be with Jesus. So grateful was he that he “begged to go with him.” He had no idea where Jesus and his disciples were going or what they would do; he just knew that he wanted to be with the One who had healed him and set him free (literally, from the demons, and from his sins).

Again, I see this man epitomizing Luke 9:23, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

Having a personal, life-impacting encounter with Jesus makes people want to follow him. It is the only response fit for our Savior. This following involves our whole being: physically with our bodies in service to God, mentally with our minds through prayer and study, and emotionally with our affections and adoration.

People are often curious about Christ-followers. Some may even want to talk about your way of living and thinking. When they ask you why you follow Jesus — why you gave up so much for him, which they see as ludicrous — you need to be ready to give a reply (1 Peter 3:15). Have you taken the time to write out a concise testimony about why you’re a Christ-follower?

There’s no need to feel intimidated about sharing your story. “Our testimonies are not just simple stories of personal growth. They are public displays of how Christ has changed us through His unconditional love and sacrificial grace. They are revelations of how much we need Christ,” writes Rachel for the Rebelution blog.

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“Come, follow me” then segues into “Go.”

“Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you,” Jesus said to the miracle man (Mark 5:19, emphasis added). Obediently, he “went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him."

His words (backed by his changed life) were so convincing that the next time Jesus ventured into that region, he was better received. The people did not beg him to leave but instead begged him to lay his hands on a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment (Mark 7:31-37). Rather than reacting with fear, they were “astonished beyond measure” by this miracle. Then they themselves went about “zealously” proclaiming Jesus.

Just like the miracle man, after our own spiritual rebirth, we need to “go” and tell our loved ones about Jesus. Our healing — whether physical, mental, or emotional, but always spiritual — is meant to become a witness about Jesus. We are to be walking, talking witnesses of God’s grace, first to those in our immediate sphere.

Why? Because they are the ones who will immediately note the marked difference in us, in our reborn life. While some will scoff and ridicule, others will be “astonished beyond measure” by the divine change wrought in us.

Afterwards, we go “into all the world” — to our neighbors, our co-workers, and beyond — telling about Jesus, the Most High God, and how much he has done for us (Matthew 16:15). Our mission and motive, like the Apostle Paul’s, is to “win” souls for Christ (1 Corinthians 9:19).

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1. Jesus Came to Save Sinners

Jesus came into the world expressly to save sinners from every nation on earth (1 Timothy 1:15; John 3:16). He wants everyone to receive grace, forgiveness, and eternal life through him, and be restored back to a right relationship with God.

How will the nations hear, though? Through us, God’s redeemed children, charged with being “ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us,” imploring people to “be reconciled to God.”

We share, therefore, how we once walked in darkness and sin but were saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, who took on our sin, sacrificed himself in our stead, and rose again, conquering sin and death (Ephesians 2:1, 8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:21a; Acts 2:24; Hebrews 9:22).

We proclaim that because of Jesus, we are now righteous, holy, and blameless; and our sins no longer count against us (Colossians 1:22; 2 Corinthians 5:21b).

2. Jesus Gives Us New Life and Outlook

Through Jesus, we died to our old nature and became “new creations” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Our spiritual rebirth meant that we were no longer “slaves” to sin; they were nailed to the cross with Christ (Romans 6:1-7). Our born-again life resulted in us living for Jesus rather than for ourselves, in putting away fleshly desires, the world, and its shallow pleasures and temptations (Galatians 5:24).

Furthermore, our worldview — our concept of national and global events and catastrophes — shifted from secular to sacred (2 Corinthians 5:16). We now understand the world through the lens of Scripture rather than through the media, other peoples’ opinions or convictions, and insubstantial philosophies and theories. We view God, ourselves, others, and our world correctly, biblically, through transformed minds and eyes.

With this new outlook, we no longer live in the fear of chaos and uncertainty, but in faith. We know God is sovereign, that he controls the outcomes of this world. We rest in the fact that no matter what happens, “nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:31-39). We are secure in our present state — saved by grace through faith — as well as our eternal state — our inheritance, being kept safely for us in heaven (Ephesians 1:13-14; 2:8-9; 1 Peters 1:4).

3. Jesus Gives Us New Purpose

With our new life comes new purposes. We no longer live for the fleeting pleasures of this world but pivot to more sacred and abiding pursuits. You no longer need to ask, “What’s my purpose in life?”

“Purpose is not made up — it’s received. You don’t invent your purpose; you discover and receive it from the One who designed you. (2 Timothy 1:9),” writes Mark Furlong. “Because purpose is so important, God has given us some great insights in His Word so we can know it and do it.”

What is our purpose? Among many, here are a few: 

• To Love God and others with our entire being (Mark 12:30-31)
• To Fear God and keeping his commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
• To worship and serve God (Psalm 100:2-3; John 17:4)
• To bear witness to God through our “good works” (Matthew 5:16)
• To serve others with the spiritual gift(s) given to us by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:11)

Therefore, what has Jesus done for us that we need to proclaim? Everything! Because, quite literally, like the miracle man, we have been revolutionized from the inside out because of the work of Jesus.

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