We Are Legion - Part 2

00:00:00 Speaker 1: I have said these things to you that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world. John sixteen thirty three. Dear Lord Jesus, we praise you for overcoming the darkness and despair of this world. You are victorious, and in you we find our peace and strength. When troubles surround us, remind us that you have already triumphed over every fear and sorrow. Lift us up to stand and victory with you. Refusing to live as victims in the darkness around us, empower us to walk as champions over sin, fear, and despair because of your mighty power at work within us. Fill us with courage to face each day knowing that you have overcome the world and have called us to share in that victory. In your powerful name, Jesus, we pray Amen. Thank you for praying with me today. This is the Jesus Podcast, Gospel inspired stories told with a cinematic touch and heartfelt reflection. Remain here for another story on Jesus and Demons, and as always, make sure to follow this podcast and share it with a friend. Free to roam his macabre little kingdom the demons spent his days and nights howling from the hilltops that encapsulated the tombs. He would cry out and carried to the frightened village by the water's surface. As the afternoon light faded, billowing clouds as black as pitch loomed ominously in the sky. They sailed over the calm waters, bringing rocking waves and torrents of rain with them. Gabriel stood in the downpour and wailed with full force as icy needles landed on his skin. The demons watched the peaceful sea turned to disarray, order to chaos. They sneered with glee at seeing God's creation rage war upon itself. Several knots from the shore, a boat was being catapulted through the waves. The demon watched outlines of sailors pulling at the ropes. Between the cracks of thunder. He could hear their strenuous shouts. The demon howl with laughter as he watched the frightened men. The demons were delighted to take in the spectacle, but his entertainment didn't last long. From across the tumultuous sea, the demons heard a voice as fierce as a lion's roar. Even with the wind and rain, they could hear it as clear as day. 00:03:25 Speaker 2: Peace be still. 00:03:28 Speaker 1: In an instant, the waves plateaued, the rain ceased, and the bright morning sun bore through the dark storm clouds. The demons nearly fell to the ground in shock. Deep down, Gabriel could feel his heart pounding in his throat. He looked back to the boat to see a man standing at the bow speaking to the now calm sailors. Gabriel sensed the demons distress, croaking out of his throat. Against his will, the demon sneered. 00:04:06 Speaker 2: Tatsy not here. 00:04:13 Speaker 1: The demons raced into the tomb, as if preparing for the battle to come. They knew they were no match for the man who commanded the storms, but their pride wouldn't let them fall without a fight. 00:04:31 Speaker 2: Just as Jesus spoke peace over the chaotic storm, he wants to speak peace to the chaos swirling within you. Jesus is captain over the outer and the inner storms. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast. I'm Ethan from pray dot Com. We're so excited to have you with us today as we explore another episode about Jesus's power over demons. The month of October is filled with celebrating darkness, but we know that the real celebration is in Christ's light prevailing over the darkness. Today we're diving into one of the most dramatic episodes in the Gospels, Mark chapter five, verses one through twenty. Picture this. Jesus and his disciples step out of a boat after a stormy night, probably hoping for a moment of peace. Instead, they're greeted by a man who could be the poster child for a horror movie. Living in tombs, breaking chains and screaming. Day and night talk about a warm welcome. 00:05:34 Speaker 1: The night was almost over and the sun was rising over the glassy sea. The other side was within view, like a mother placing her child down in its bed. The vessel was placed carefully onto shore by the sea. The disciples stumbled out of the boat, praising God they were alive. Matthew leaped out of the boat and puked. All this was far more excitement than counting coins in the safety of his boof the disciples embraced each other with an exhausted laughter. Jesus and Simon exchanged glances. Simon felt comforted by his presence Jesus had told them they would make it to the other side. 00:06:20 Speaker 3: They should never have down it. 00:06:22 Speaker 1: Jesus laughed with his disciples and helped Matthew to his feet. As the rest of the men made it off of the boat, a deep and painful cry could be heard from the cans. The screams pierced through the mountains. John's eyes flashed. The sound was bone chilling. James turned his head as the sound of screams and broken chains grew louder and louder. The men looked to their right to see a beast of a man running toward them at full force. The man was naked and blood dripped from his torn apart chest. His eyes were filled with bloodthirst, and his speed was unnatural, even with the heavy chains dangling from his wrists and ankles. He huffed as he sprinted towards Jesus. John was the first to bolt back to the boat, and the rest of the disciples began to make a run for it. However, Jesus stepped forward. The man continued his pursuit like a predator, picking up speed with every step. Jesus marched forward. The disciples had just watched him tame the seas, yet this man seemed to be more dangerous than the tempest. The man was closing the gap, and Jesus continued to steadily march towards him. As he got close, the man leaped into the air to pounce on Jesus, but he did not get the chance. Jesus held out his hand, causing the man to jolt back to the ground. He writhed on the floor. The blood on his chest dripped down his entire body. Tears of pain and agony streamed down his face. He roared like a wounded animal. Jesus knew what was plaguing this man. Jesus spent down to touch the man, but the demon leaped back on to his feet. He circled Jesus, cocking his head back and forward as he spoke. The demon spoke, but Jesus could hear the man behind the voice. The man was in pain and needed to be liberated. Like the disciples moments earlier, the man was caught in an intense storm. 00:08:51 Speaker 3: You know who I am and why I have come. 00:08:54 Speaker 1: He screamed as he leaped forward again for another attack, but he was quickly thwarted, unable to lay a hand on Jesus. The demons circled around Jesus, who tracked his every motion. An ancient evil emanated from the demon, an evil Jesus was familiar with. 00:09:15 Speaker 3: What is your name? Your real name now? 00:09:23 Speaker 1: Jesus asked the question as though interrogating the demon. The disciples were watching from afar. They were not as confidence as their teacher was in such a high stakes environment. The demon looked ready to attack at any moment. Yet Jesus was in no danger. Even the demons knew who their creator was, they dared not touch him. The demon let out a disturbing laugh that caused the disciples chests to tighten. A coarse aile curved on the sides of his mouth. He evoked numbers to intimidate Jesus. However, it would not work. Jesus took a few steps forward, and the demon tripped and fell on his back. He was afraid of Jesus, and rightly so. He stood in the presence of the Lion of Judah, the one who was prophesied to crush the serpent's head. The demon cowered in fear and fell to his knees. The demon, knowing his place in the heavenly hierarchy had resorted to begging. The demon gestured toward a herd of pigs grazing on bluffs overlooking the sea. The demons asked for mercy from Jesus. It was an odd exchange, and the disciples watched in awe. 00:10:57 Speaker 3: Jesus nodded, be out of this man, away with you. 00:11:02 Speaker 1: At Jesus command, the man's body jolted backwards. He groaned and screamed for a moment, and then there was silence as the man lay faced them and said. As Jesus looked up to the bluff and the sea, the herd of Snyn began to circle in confusion. Squealing, they writhed with dead bodies in every direction, each one. They all run off the cliffs into the sea. All the demons were consumed, and the oppressors drowned in the bottom of the sea. The pig herders ran after the falling pigs and watched them drown in the bottom of the sea. They looked down to see Jesus kneeling over the man. Legion had become a menace to the nearby community, so the herders immediately ran back into town to tell the people what had happened. Jesus looked over the man's mangled body. He was unconscious, but alive and free from his oppressors. Jesus gestured for the disciples to come and bring water and clothing. They looked at one another, nudging each one to go first. John came forward with some water, and James followed with a tunic. Matthew trailed timidly behind. Jesus gave him water, bread and clothed him, Andrew sewed up his scars as best he could. He only had experience with fishing nets. After having food and water, the men began to think clearly. He stayed close to Jesus, clinging to him like a frightened child. Eventually, the pig herders returned with a mob of villagers. They expected to drive out the man again and shew him back in the mountains. For years, they had shunned him, even resorting to chaining him to the cave walls. Yet he had broken his chains every time and terrorized the village below. Yet they found the man sitting with the disciples in his right mind. They approached with pitchforks and daggers in their hands. The village leader approached the group with his sword in hand. 00:13:26 Speaker 3: Please, you must leave. 00:13:29 Speaker 1: The man begged, completely destitute of any courage. His knees were trembling, and his sword was shaking in his hand. The people stirred. As John said these things, The leader nodded his head. 00:13:45 Speaker 3: Yes, we can see that the man is clearly healed, but it is not him. 00:13:51 Speaker 1: We are afraid of Joseph's gesture toward Jesus. The disciples tilted their heads in confusion. Jesus understood their fear. They were more afraid of Jesus's power than the danger of the demons. Poems. 00:14:07 Speaker 2: Please. 00:14:09 Speaker 1: Though the man was much calmer now, his fear could not be concealed. 00:14:14 Speaker 3: What you have done is miraculous. But do not return here. We want no more dealings with demons. 00:14:23 Speaker 1: Jesus had not come to disturb the village. He had come to bring peace and healing. Knowing that his job was done, he waved for his disciples to follow him, and they departed back to their boat. The men boarded the boat and James and John were beginning to push the boat out to sea. Gabriel came to the boat and Jesus jumped off and embraced him He enveloped him with fatherly love, and the man began to weep. He whispered through broken sobs into Jesus's shoulder. Tears streamed down his cheeks. The disciples hearts broke as they watched. Jesus held his shoulders and looked him in the eye. No, my child, Gabriel looked up at Jesus with bloodshot eyes. Jesus's words had nearly strickened him to death with grief. 00:15:28 Speaker 3: Something grand has happened to you. Tell people the story. Tell them how you were lost and now you're found. Tell them of the great things you witnessed. Tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you. 00:15:46 Speaker 1: He understood now Jesus wasn't denying him. He was welcoming him to be a part of his mission in his own unique way. He wiped his nose and nodded. Jesus smiled and gave him one final embrace. He boarded the boat. James and John launched the boat into the sea, and Simon held the rudder once again. Andrew let the sails down and the Disciples departed. Gabriel stood at the shoreline, watching as the boat faded into the horizon. For years, his body had not been his own. He was enslaved. Yet God had liberated him and delivered him from his oppressors. Legion was consumed and his oppressors drown in the bottom of the sea. He saw the great power that the Lord used against the demons, so he feared the Lord and believed in the Lord of his salvation. 00:16:56 Speaker 2: Let's set the scene. This man is described as having an unclean spirit. He's not just having a bad day. He's completely overtaken by evil forces. He lives among the dead, perhaps because society has written him off as a lost cause. His strength is supernatural. Chains and shackles can't hold him. He's self destructive, cutting himself with stones. In modern terms, he's a one man haunted house. But here's the kicker. When he sees Jesus from afar, he runs and worships him. Even the demons recognize divine authority. The man cries out, what have I to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God. Imagine how scared the disciples must have been. They almost perished in a storm. Then the moment they stepped on to shore, a naked bleeding demoniac came charging at them. Poor guys. Jesus isn't rattled, though. He commands the unclean spirit to come out. He asks what is your name? And the reply is chilling. My name is Legion, for we are a Roman legion consisted of about six thousand soldiers. Whether literal or symbolic, it's clear this man is heavily oppressed. The demons beg Jesus not to send them out of the country, but instead into a herd of pigs. With his permission, they enter the pigs, and the whole herd, about two thousand, rushes into the sea and drowns. Now, that's something you don't see every day. Now, that's something you don't see every day. The pig herders are understandably freaked out. They run to tell everyone in the city and countryside. When the people arrive, they see the formerly possessed man sitting and clothed and in his right mind. Their reaction fear. They plead with Jesus to leave their region. Wait what, you'd think they'd be grateful, or at least curious, But sometimes people are more comfortable with familiar dysfunction than transformative power. Jesus disrupted their status quo, and that scared them more than a demod ever did. As Jesus prepares to leave, the man begs to go with him, but Jesus says, go home to your friends and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you. And so the man becomes the first missionary to the decapolist a gentile region. He doesn't need a seminary degree or a long preparation period. His testimony was enough. But what are some lessons we can glean from this story? First, no one is beyond reach. If Jesus can transform a man overtaken by a legion of demons, he can handle whatever you're facing. Addiction, fear, doubt, none of these are a match for his power. Second, the recognition of authority. Even the demons acknowledge Jesus's lordship, how much more should we who are recipients of his grace? Third, the mission begins at home. The man wanted to travel with Jesus, but his mission field was his own community. Your story can impact them around you more than you realize. This story challenges us to confront the demons in our own lives and communities. This story challenges us to confront the demons in our own lives and communities. It urges us to move from complacency to action, from fear to faith. Lets not be like the townspeople who ask Jesus to leave, but instead invite him to transform us, no matter the cost. Remember, when Jesus steps on to the shore of our lives, even the darkest forces must flee, and in their place we find freedom, purpose, and a story worth telling.