Jesus Isn’t Most People (Part 2/3)

“And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit.“ Mark 5:1-2.

The story of a man on the coast of Decapolis is written in three Gospels; Matthew, Mark, and Luke. This would tell me that it was a very impactful event for the disciples who were with Jesus.

We meet a man on the East side of Decapolis, a league of ten cities characterized by Greek culture. We know that there was a populous of gentiles because of the large herd of pigs, which is a central focus in this account. Jews did not raise pigs, as they were considered unclean and forbidden to eat.

In many cities, some neighborhoods are known for being unsafe due to a high concentration of drugs, crime, and homelessness. It is this kind of neighborhood Jesus walks into when He knows there is a hungry soul. He is not worried about the prostitute, the drug dealer, or the murderer. If He knows there is a hungry soul, He is going to meet with them.

On the coast of Decapolis, Jesus and His disciples are met by a man who is introduced as demonically possessed with a legion of devils. Legion is a military term meaning the highest-ranking officer would be the commander of up to six thousand men. Here, the term suggests that the man was possessed by thousands of demons.

This man lives in the tombs, an isolated burial ground, where the impoverished lived. Jesus took his followers to the rough side of town. He took them to meet with a man who was naked, with broken chains hanging from his wrists and ankles, and dried blood on his body from cutting himself with rocks. Jesus took his disciples to the places most people typically avoid.

I’m so thankful that Jesus isn’t most people.

You may think commanding thousands of demons out of someone is difficult, but not for Jesus, all he said was, “Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit, Mark 5:8.” One by one the evil spirits that dictated this man’s life began to leave his body and enter into the pigs that were on the hillside. To the pig’s demise, they ran off the cliff into the water.

This story is a beautiful representation of the love of Jesus. There is no sin, no spiritual oppression, and no darkness that He will not confront or is unable to change. Jesus isn’t most people. Maybe some people have given up on you, betrayed you, or hurt you, but Jesus will never leave or forsake you. He commands the highest mountain to fall, a legion of devils to flee, and light to form in darkness.

Jesus isn’t most people. He can take the most broken life, put it on His potter’s wheel, and make a beautiful new vessel. He can give you a fresh start, it’s called forgiveness; it’s called salvation.

If Jesus can completely change the man from the coast of Decapolis life who was possessed by thousands of devils, He can change yours, too. I have experienced this personally. Jesus took a broken, bound-by-sin teenager, gave her purpose, changed her life completely around, and called her to a ministry that was far above her capabilities and pedigree. I wish I could sit down with you over coffee, look you in the eyes, and tell you that whatever you’re going through is not the end. I wish I could tell you face to face that whatever you’re addicted to doesn’t have to overtake you and that there is hope for deliverance. I wish I could hear your story and pray with you and encourage you, but I’m praying my words on your screen will testify to God’s power, love, and goodness. 

Jesus isn’t like most people, go meet with him at the coast of your problem, He will meet with you.