Trapped in Oblivion_Out of the grave
Posted on October 28th, 2023 by RedeemedMark 5:1-5 NLT - So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. 4 Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones
The above Scriptures is a very sad and fearful account of the life of a man who was possessed with a demon.
Scriptures didn’t tell us how he became possessed with the legions of demons but we are told that he lived in the tomb, amongst the dead.
What brought about this terrible condition? No one knows except that he has reached a point where he could no longer be helped by others or himself.
How often have we disregarded the warnings of the LORD concerning being involved in or doing something that originally we thought was good, for so it was presented to us but is actually a road or point of no return?
The Bible says there is a way that seems right to a man but actually they are the ways of death. (Proverb 16:25).
Life is full of intrigues and maneuvering, and it’s not in man to direct or tell what the future holds and to avoid the pitfalls and traps that are invisible to us, we need a guide, a helper, a teacher and the revealer of secrets to show us the way we must go.
This is one of the reason the Father has given us His Spirit, the Spirit of Truth.
If the demon possessed man was told his fate would end like that, he wouldn’t have believed. His fate was locked in in the tomb even while he was still alive. He lived as though dead, forgotten by family, loved ones and society because society didn’t possess the capacity to help him anymore.
He was inflicting pains on himself, yet he could not stop hurting himself. As I study this scriptures I couldn’t help but wonder if society pushed him into this? Or too much expectations from loved ones, family or society? Or was it his own ambition or desires that pushed him to go this far?
My heart is heavy as I watch people driven by ambition or is it pride? allow themselves to be talked into all manner of things. When the die is cast, they will disappear. You won’t find them lifting a finger to help, or they won’t possess the capacity to help when trouble comes calling.
No one could help the demon possessed man! He has reached a point where no human could help, but thank God for Jesus.
The cry for help for this helpless man reached Jesus, and Jesus Christ came to the other side of the sea to the region of the Gerasenes. (Mark 5:1).
The border or gate to this town is where the demon possessed man lived. Immediately Jesus entered the town, they accosted Jesus, though acknowledging who He was and asking if He came to judge them before the time appointed!
Mark 5:6-8 NLT
When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. [7] With a shriek, he screamed, "Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don't torture me!" [8] For Jesus had already said to the spirit, "Come out of the man, you evil spirit."
Jesus stepping into that town and commanding the evil spirits (they were legions) to leave brought about the total deliverance of the man whom no one could help. A life that was completely abandoned by everyone, left to waste in the grave was completely restored with a command from Jesus, the Son of the living God!
If God cannot help you - for so you think (wait for that help) no one can.
Psalm 124:8 YLT
Our help [is] in the name of Jehovah, Maker of the heavens and earth!
Most times, man’s help is conditional but the help that comes from the LORD is unconditional. Jesus restored this man to perfect health and senses and he sat at the feet of Jesus, grateful for a second chance. He was willing to follow Jesus everywhere He went and serve Him the rest of his restored life.
Jesus called him from the grave after driving out the demons that locked him into oblivion and confined him to the grave, gave him a portion amongst the dead by restoring sanity and his destiny to him.
The inhabitants of the town came out and instead of rejoicing with the man, they became afraid? And drove Jesus out of their town.
Jesus does not pressurize people to accept or do anything they are not willing to do. Everyone have a right to exercise their God given free will to either serve or reject Him. Anything or anyone that puts pressure on you to do something or take a decision without thinking it through is not of the LORD. Run away from such.
Mark 5:15 NLT
A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid.
Mark 5:17 YLT
and they began to call upon him to go away from their borders.
Mark 5:18-20 NLT
[18] As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him.
[19] But Jesus said, "No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been."
[20] So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.
Though he would have gladly followed Jesus wherever He went but Jesus told him to go back home to his friends and family and tell of the great things God has done for him. This man went around the Ten Towns of the region (more like a crusade) telling of the goodness and kindness the LORD has shown him.
As I write this, I remember how the LORD restored me to life, gave me back my life and a chance to now live for Him. When all hope was gone, and people counted me as one dead, God came into the scene, rebuked death and the power of the grave, restored me to life and a chance to live for Him.
I may make mistakes but one thing is sure, I chose to live and go about telling of the great things the LORD has done for me. I will do this for as long as God gives me life. It doesn’t matter where I find myself, I chose to tell of the kindness of the LORD and how good He is whether we deserve it or not.
God bless.
Peace!
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