why were the gerasenes afraid why were the gerasenes afraid

February 2016 The Lord, in an act of great mercy, freed the Gadarenes' man by casting the demons out of him and allowing them to enter a nearby herd of pigs. And, yes, Dana did just read us something about a man possessed by a whole bunch of demons that later go and possess a bunch of hogs. You might be thinking back to Easter and not recall very many hogs showing up except for at Easter supper. Where did the demons go after they went into the pigs and caused them to jump to their death. November 2021 Ananias and Sapphira did so by allowing their greed to grip their hearts (cf. Based on all the evidence we have seen over the past four months with regards to ChatGPT and how it can be manipulated or even how it will lie . He could just as easily commanded them to return to the deepest, darkest pit of Hell. We should know from other Scriptures that our present spiritual experience is one of spiritual warfare. He said unexpected things and lived by a high ethical standard. Jesus was saying, (demonstrating) that He had all authority, in any land. They became as afraid of Jesus as the demons were. No matter what men attempted to bind him with, he broke loose. Why is this even an issue, I wonder? 13ff.). So who was afraid? The New Testament speaks of those who had a spirit, or a demon, or demons, or an unclean spirit, or the spirit of an unclean demon, but chiefly of persons who were demonised. Edersheim, Life and Times, I, p. 479. March 2017 Renew or manage your subscription here. You can flip a coin hoping for heads, but you know that tails is a very real probability. For more information about Glenn Davis see our About Glenn page and/or his Author's Page. The difference between the phonemes /p/ and /b/ in Japanese, Is there a solutiuon to add special characters from software and how to do it. Neither is it only a kind of physical disease, although spiritual and physical disease often accompany it (e.g. He pleaded with Jesus not to be tormented. Like it or not, demons and demonic activity are likely to become much more of a concern to you in days to come. Mark 3:14). Satans most useful instrument is the outstanding, outwardly moral and upright religious man, whose good deeds are done independently of God. From this it is clear that demon-possession is a phenomenon which occurred almost exclusively, but then to be sure on an amazing scale, during Jesus appearance on earth and to a lesser extent during the activity of the apostles. There is no true freedom and fulfillment apart from Jesus Christ, the Creator and Redeemer of men. of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were So he got into the boat and left. People who have no appr Second (and primarily), Mark employs this event to authenticate the claims of Jesus to be the Son of God and Israels Messiah. 124 Augustine: The devils were driven out and permitted to go into the swine; and Aquinas: But that the swine were driven into the sea was no work of the divine miracle, but was the work of the devils by divine permission. Quoted by Trench, Miracles, fn. Jesus did say to count the cost [Luke 14:28-33]. This was surely not so in every case, and perhaps in none. Well, it is because atheists, in their zealous rush to make fun of Christians, Christianity, and the Bible, start to lose their logical rigor and rationality, leading them to contend for implausible things: as presently. The Lord granted the only request of these residents, which was for Him to leave. Asked October 24 2014 March 2020 November 2017 In this context, however, he insists that legion has nothing of its usual Roman military overtones, but is the designation of numerous powers which oppose themselves to Jesus as the embodiment of the power of God. Lane, Mark, fn. (3) Spiritual insight. 61-62. Confusion, fear in moments after crash "There were many big pieces of steel," said Vassilis Polyzos, a local resident who said he was one of the first people on the scene. Pope Francis Inexhaustible Font of Words: 10 Gems From the Heart Over 10 Years, Pope Francis, Biden Commend Peacemaker Bishop OConnell as Memorial Services Begin. Once a menace to society, now a messenger with words of deliverance and healing. While the Jews had not denied the works of Jesus were supernatural, they had declined to admit they established His deity. The pleas of Legion were in response to the command of Jesus for the demons to come out of him (verse 8). The exercising of authority over demons, in the land under another god, was a message. Second, while the death of the pigs is clearly an economic loss for the owner, Jesus is illustrating the infinite value of human life. The entire population of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them because they were seized with great fear. 606-607. In addition, Matthew includes the comment, Have You come here to torment us before the time? (Matthew 8:29). 1 They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. I will not look for a reason to return to it. Although the manifestations of demonization vary widely, this man115 evidenced several of the classic symptoms. Bill Maher says he's scared of former President Trump "on a very personal level" and "what he would do" to the comedian if he were to win the 2024 White House race. xx. when He was the only One Who truly knew what had happened. If they dare to open up their lives to Jesus what will happen? They were afraid and astonished, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the sea, and they obey Him?" . Matthew 8:4; Luke 8:56). Father Macaire, 33, who was ordained fewer than two years ago, was kidnapped the morning of Feb. 7 when he was on his way to his missionary community in Kazal, about 20 miles north of Port-au-Prince. With a little knowledge of the geography of the region, this apparent contradiction can be resolved. July 2020 July 2016 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Why do people like Jesus a lot? They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. Jesus showed to the local population the inferiority of pagan life. He also maintains a popular Facebook page. They have three sons and a daughter (all homeschooled) and reside in southeast Michigan. 117 so that, by their own confession, a time is coming when there shall be an entire victory of the kingdom of light over that of darkness (Rev. And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another . Although Gadarenes and Gergesenes are derived from a different Greek word, they are essentially referring to the same area. But notice, even though Jesus permitted them to enter the swine, they were unable to overcome their evil impulses and drove the swine over the cliff to their death. His animal-like shrieks must have sent chills up the spines of any who were nearby. No! No! (4) Super-human strength. Embedded into both stories are people who were afraid of Jesus. The man, who was naked when he saw Jesus, had the added ability of enduring both freezing and sweltering temperatures as well as pain he inflicted upon himself! especially fn. Even the demons confessed that He was the Son of the Most High (Mark 5:7). The particular focus of this mans testimony was the Decapolis region. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. Its important to note that this was the first demonstration of Jesuss authority outside of Canaan. in 1971. Matthew 12:43-45). monetization of National Catholic Register RSS feeds is strictly prohibited. March 2018 So much pain, so much sin. March 2022 Immediately, as this weary group disembarked from the ship, they were met by what appeared to be a madman. These, however, are not the problem raised by Bible students. Let me say as graciously as I can, Satan does not need to work on us in those areas as we are doing very well without his exploitation. Do roots of these polynomials approach the negative of the Euler-Mascheroni constant? Known as the Judas Iscariot of Gnosticism for revealing that which is not to be revealed. 10). February 2015 Have we stepped back, in effect asking Jesus to leave us alone, only to discover, as a Gentleman, He did? January 2017 I was in a dialogue with an atheist regarding what he believes is one of many so-called biblical contradictions. Odd guy that I am, I actually find this sort of thing fun. Early Christians like St. Polycarp clearly held the Catholic view on salvation. Its ruins include two amphitheaters, a basilica, temple, a hippodrome, aqueducts and colonnades, showing its importance and stature. . 36 Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. This would also give time afterwards for the dispersion, not only into the city, but into the country of them who had fed the swine. . This incident in the Gerasenes requires some entry understanding. Fear that you might do something that would embarrass you? Paul tells us that our struggle is, at bottom, a spiritual one (Ephesians 6:12). It is noteworthy that it is distinguished (especially in the Gospel of the physician, Luke) from cases of ordinary sickness, insanity (lunacy), leprosy, blindness, lameness, deafness and other natural defects and diseases (cf. In any event, they were not Israelites, as indicated by the fact that a herd of swine was being kept nearby, which would have been forbidden by the Mosaic Law, since swine were unclean animals (Leviticus 11:7-8). March 2016 (2) Anti-social behavior. When Jesus and his disciples come to the mostly-Gentile region of the Gerasenes, they are met by a man whose life has been destroyed by demonic infestation. Their influence and control leads to untold agony and destruction. Preisker, TWNT IV (1942), pp. Anonymous, October 25 2014 April 2015 Gergesenes means "those who come from pilgrimage or fight.". Into the country of the Gadarenes, or rather, Gera-senes, which is now generally admitted to be the true reading, from Gerasa, Gersa, or Kersa.There was another Gerasa, situated at some distance from the sea, on the borders of Arabia Petraea. iv. xiii. It became one of the proudest cities of Syria. It was situated some 30 miles southeast of Gadara, on the borders of Peraea and a little north of the river Jabbok. 128 In most of the stories of possession what is at issue is not merely sickness but a destruction and distortion of the divine likeness of man according to creation. Order Bulk SubscriptionsGet a discount on 6 or more copies sent to your parish, organization Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. June 2017 print and digital media outlets, dedicated to reporting the truth in light of the Gospel and the Our Lord responded sternly by calling this accusation blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, and as such was the one unpardonable sin (verses 28-30). Why is that. 21,22). His greatest impact would be on those who knew his former state. The city of Gadara and its surrounding area are referred to as the Gadarenes. Not long after that, while I was still a student in seminary, there was a car parked by the seminary in a somewhat suspicious manner and I called the police to check it out. Bible scholar Gleason Archer (Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties) argues similarly, It is entirely possible that the political control of this region was centered in Gadara as the capital city. Cookie Notice Then the Livestock Association and consumer groups would have been greatly distressed over the sudden decrease in the pig population and the resulting impact on pork prices. According to another theory, the Chapati movement of 1857 was an attempt to prevent a cholera outbreak in central India. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. But having recalled a passage in Ephesians, I realize now that this man is a reminder of the dilemma of every man, woman, and child who have not come to a saving dependence upon the work of Jesus Christ for sinners on the cross. We read at Mk 5:14-17 (NRSVCE), the immediate after-effects of the driving out of evil spirits by Jesus at Gerasene by allowing them to enter pigs: The swineherds ran off and told it in the city and in the country. The word translated windstorm here, and storm in the KJ, is the word lailaps, which is more than just a storm. Yes, I know that Easter was weeks ago in April. The reference could hardly be to the better known Gerasa (Jerash) between thirty and forty miles southeast from the lake. We see the first reaction to this in the storm MARK 4:7 And a great windstorm arose [snip]. There was no such danger in Perea, and thus the mercy of the Lord was to be heralded. Thus, it is not always used of one specific country (nation), but rather, usually to regions or areas of either small (Bethlehem) or large (Judaea and Samaria) size, including regions surrounding large cities. 2 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. Similar to the storm we see in the book of Job that killed Jobs sons - and Satan was the instigator of that as well. Spam. The Gerasenes were the people of the district of which Gerasa was the capital. The house that is left swept and clean is a likely target for Satanic influence (cf. What sort of strategies would a medieval military use against a fantasy giant? Nevertheless, for consideration. Now they were delivered and ready to be productive members of society. That the unclean spirits were personal beings is evident from what is related about their leaving a possessed person, talking or crying out, possessing knowledge concerning Jesus, as well as other supernatural knowledgeshowing fear, and the like. Events that are important to our Church Community, Mark 5:1-20 Jesus Heals the Gerasene Demoniac. May 2018 As C. S. Lewis aptly put it: There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. Jesus had simply sailed across the Lake of Galilee to the region of the Gerasenes. Once naked, he is now clothed. The destructive desires of the demons were dramatically carried out in the drowning of the swine. May 2016 Why did Jesus allow the legion of demons to stay in the area when they begged him? and 1 Kings xxii. They found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus' feet, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. He who feared His arrival now dreaded His departure. Dave has been happily married to his wife Judy since October 1984. The spectrum ranges from those who seem to control the demonic powers to those who are utterly controlled by them. Lets face it, we all like to be in control. It is mentioned in some ancient manuscripts of the . They likely were Gentiles and had been under the influence of the demonic principality of the region their whole life. How many demons possessed the man in Mark 5:6? They all say country of (in the sense of region, not nation). Why would God tell King David to take a census of the people in verses one through nine, and then cast judgment on him because he did what he told him to do? February 2018 . (3) Our Lord was moved with compassion by the torment of Legion and the loss of these pigs should in no way dim our view of the deliverance of the demoniac. That is why he was living in the solitude of the tombs, away from civilization. Thus, all the circumstances lead us to regard the healing of the demonized at Gerasa as a night scene, immediately on Christs arrival from Capernaum, and after the calming of the storm at sea. Alford Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1965), I, pp. March 2021 Then they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee. 18). June 2016 It is ironic that while the demons didnt want to leave the country, the dwellers of that land didnt want the Messiah to stay. Having been properly warned of the demonic underworld, let us not fall into the opposite error of absolute paranoia. The conduct of this pathetic individual was obviously anti-social. ), you also need to understand the significance of this - to the people in Gerasene. The lesson of this passage is that Satan is a defeated foe. And those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was demon-possessed had been made well. Why were the people of Gerasene afraid of the presence of Jesus among them? When Jesus asked the demoniac his name, it was not without significance for He was, I believe, asking the demons to reveal their identity. Slain Los Angeles auxiliary bishop was remembered at the Mass of Christian burial as friend of Jesus Christ and of Mary, our Blessed Mother.. 115 While Mark and Luke describe only one demoniac, Matthew informs us that there were two. Mark and Luke, on the other hand, write to more general audiences, and Gerasa was the main Greek-Roman city of the area. If it is a feminine spirit, the voice will be a feminine one, if masculine then very manly. 2. Reproduction of material from this website without written permission, or unlicensed commercial use or January 2023 Evil is self-defeating in the end. COMMENTARY: Atheism is generally the expression of a moral attitude more than a real intellectual conviction based on evidence thought through. But about a mile further south there is a fairly steep slope within forty yards from the shore, and about two miles from there cavern tombs are found which appear to have been used for dwellings. William L. Lane, The Gospel According to Mark (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974), p.181. But, the pigs were a part of their economic wealth. In Luke 2:8 it is applied to the city of Bethlehem; in Acts 18:23 to Galatia and Phrygia. John 8:32; Matthew 11:28-30), or to be the pawns of Satan (Ephesians 2:1-2). Thats just westernised interpretation which simply doesnt work when interpretating a Jewish book. Textual variations have compounded the problem. You can like Jesus for two different reasons. This makes sense, I couldn't believe they asked Jesus to leave. There is the so-called demon of doubt, of anger, of overindulgence, of drunkenness, laziness and so on. And they were afraid. It is now called Jerash and is a deserted ruin. They were content where they were. The exorcism of the Gerasene demoniac (Matthew 8.28-34; Mark 5.1-20; Luke 8.26-39), frequently known as the Miracle of the (Gadarene) Swine and the exorcism of Legion, is one of the miracles performed by Jesus according to the New Testament. It only takes a minute to sign up. in a crowd in a crowd where many people were bumping into Him? Is there a single-word adjective for "having exceptionally strong moral principles"? The country of the Gadarenes (Gergesenes) is one of the few areas Jesus visited where Gentiles (non-Jews) composed the majority of the population. No matter who you are. And the people there were scared, they recognised this, but more, they realised the significance of this. The lose of the pigs meant loose of partial income in the area. Those possessed are depicted throughout as unfortunate sufferers who by no fault of their own are dominated by evil spirits and who, when the spirits are cast out by Jesus, accept their deliverance with joy and gratitude (Mark v. 18-20, Luke viii. Jesus asked a sick man if he wanted to get well. The demoniac was uncontrollable by any of the normal means of human confinement. Just as demons desire to possess persons through whom they can exhibit their personalities, so the Spirit of God indwells man, imparting new life, and progressively gaining control so that the character of God is exhibited, but not in such a way as to hinder our individuality and identity. For the Christian, there are two extremes which must be avoided with reference to Satanic activity. It should also be observed that nowhere in the Old Testament (except in I Sam. This is probably the Gerasa of Mark and Luke. On several occasions, when Jesus forgave someone, He specifically said, Go and sin no more. That only works for people who are sick of their sin and want to change. 16, x. When Jesus asked his name the man answered, Legion, for we are many (Mark 5:9). While he was once wild and uncontrollable, he was sitting quietly at the feet of Jesus. To the evildoer, anonymity is always preferable to identification. Lukes reading Gergesenes may represent even more accurately the ancient name of this place, as Origen knew of a Gergesa on the lake of Galilee.