One of my favorite stories in all of scripture is found in the 5th chapter of the gospel of Mark. It’s the story of Pig Boy.
Aren’t familiar with that one?
Ok, I’ll give you a bit more to start with. How bout the story itself? Here it is,
The Madman
1-5 They arrived on the other side of the sea in the country of the Gerasenes. As Jesus got out of the boat, a madman from the cemetery came up to him. He lived there among the tombs and graves. No one could restrain him—he couldn’t be chained, couldn’t be tied down. He had been tied up many times with chains and ropes, but he broke the chains, snapped the ropes. No one was strong enough to tame him. Night and day he roamed through the graves and the hills, screaming out and slashing himself with sharp stones. 6-8When he saw Jesus a long way off, he ran and bowed in worship before him—then bellowed in protest, “What business do you have, Jesus, Son of the High God, messing with me? I swear to God, don’t give me a hard time!” (Jesus had just commanded the tormenting evil spirit, “Out! Get out of the man!”)
9-10Jesus asked him, “Tell me your name.”
He replied, “My name is Mob. I’m a rioting mob.” Then he desperately begged Jesus not to banish them from the country.
11-13A large herd of pigs was browsing and rooting on a nearby hill. The demons begged him, “Send us to the pigs so we can live in them.” Jesus gave the order. But it was even worse for the pigs than for the man. Crazed, they stampeded over a cliff into the sea and drowned.
14-15Those tending the pigs, scared to death, bolted and told their story in town and country. Everyone wanted to see what had happened. They came up to Jesus and saw the madman sitting there wearing decent clothes and making sense, no longer a walking madhouse of a man.
16-17Those who had seen it told the others what had happened to the demon-possessed man and the pigs. At first they were in awe—and then they were upset, upset over the drowned pigs. They demanded that Jesus leave and not come back.
18-20As Jesus was getting into the boat, the demon-delivered man begged to go along, but he wouldn’t let him. Jesus said, “Go home to your own people. Tell them your story—what the Master did, how he had mercy on you.” The man went back and began to preach in the Ten Towns area about what Jesus had done for him. He was the talk of the town.
So, you have a demon possessed, frothing at the mouth, nutball here who happens to have superhuman strength. But it’s not really fair. This isn’t even 10 against 1 when people try to subdue him. It’s more like a thousand against one. You see a Roman legion was anywhere between 800 – 1000 men. This guy’s got a thousand demons living inside of him. No match for mere humans. And the whole town knows it. He’s won the last five UFC bouts! Shoot, he’s taken on the whole town and won! See 4b in the English Standard Version, “No one had the strength to subdue him…” That pretty much says it all. So people just steer clear of him now. That’s really all they can do. He’s got the upper-hand. He can’t be beat. Oh, and he’s totally evil.
But then along comes Jesus. Listen to what the text says in verses 8-9 (ESV), “And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and(C)7fell down before him. And(D) crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus,(E) Son of(F) the Most High God?(G) I adjure you by God, do not torment me.”
What?! No stare down? No intimidation? Not even the perfunctory trash talking before a match?
Nope, nothing. Because this isn’t even a match. Which brings me to a slight rant…permit me?
I hate it when people talk about God and Satan like the light and dark side of the force. It really bugs me that so many (even Christians) seem to think that God and Satan are locked in an eternal power struggle that ebbs and flows. Round and round they go. Where it will all stop–nobody knows.
Really? I know. Jesus wins. The ending to this story was written in eternity past. It’s not even a match. Not even a fair fight. Think about it. Even when Satan (The Bible refers to him as, Lucifer) first rebelled against God and there was a battle in heaven scripture makes it clear that it was among the angels…
Rev. 12:7, “7-12War broke out in Heaven. Michael and his Angels fought the Dragon. The Dragon and his Angels fought back, but were no match for Michael. They were cleared out of Heaven, not a sign of them left. The great Dragon—ancient Serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, the one who led the whole earth astray—thrown out, and all his Angels thrown out with him, thrown down to earth.”
God doesn’t even have to get involved. He’s so far above Satan that there can be no comparison whatsoever.
None.
And that’s made obvious in many texts such as the beginning of the book of Job where Satan has to get permission from God to even mess with Job! And in our passage today–these 1,000 demons who have been terrorizing the whole town tap out in the Son of God match…before the match even begins!
Why?!
Because they were there. At the battle of Little Big Shot–when Lucifer tried to say he was as good as God.
And the creation has been thinking that ever since. Never-mind all the evidence to the contrary. Each of us takes our naive shot in the ring and each of us taps out the second we see our opponent. We’re pretty nutty creatures if you think about it.
Tomorrow I will share with you some incites into this story that should serve as a reminder to all of us to follow Christ and Christ alone.
Until then.
* As you’ve undoubtedly heard by now (most likely from, Jonny Mathis, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And Southbrook Church is going an entirely new direction this year with our Christmas series, “F-O-R-E-T-O-L-D.” It will be powerful, convicting and I’m praying…Magical! Click here to see our custom made trailer for the series and then invite like you’ve never invited before! God is on the move people! I just found out that over 40 people were saved during our Coeburn, Virginia outreach! That’s more than 120 people in the last couple weeks! I can’t think of a better way to enter the Christmas season! Expect big things this Christmas from God and then go bring in the harvest!
Remember, Christmas is not just this…
It’s THIS…
Cya @ the Brook!