This morning, I stumbled across the following passage and spent some time reflecting on its significance:
The Healing of a Demon-possessed Man (Mark 5)
They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!" For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"
Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"
"My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
A Legion of Demons
I am amazed by this passage, because like the Centurion, I, too, and a person with authority, with many people under me who must obey my authority. When my superior tells me to go here or there, I must do it or risk being fired. And on the prison block, when one of the inmates in my care is told to do something, he too faces consequences if he refuses. However, this becomes more complicated when all 60 inmates in my care are gathered in the same place. Should they riot, it would not matter what authority I had--they could overpower me in seconds.
Now, multiply that times 100! In Biblical times, a Roman legion was 6000 men, which included about 5300 fighting men, and 700 others, including surgeons, field assistants, and other non-combatants. When the demon-possessed man called himself "Legion," he wasn't kidding. Jesus allowed the demons to enter a herd of swine--about two thousand pigs--and run them all off a cliff, as a witness to those observing that this man had indeed had so many demons ejected.
Picture Jesus, standing about 6'2" high on a rocky slope, alone with His disciples in Gentile country. He is approached by a naked man (possibly two), covered with jagged scars. This man is a terror to the countryside. He dwells in the tombs like an animal. Because of the legion of demons that control his body, no human being can withstand him, and even iron chains cannot imprison him. If one is not immediately terrified at the sight of him, he might feel deep pity for this human being that lives in constant debasement and torment.
Jesus doesn't bat an eyelash. In fact, he doesn't even pursue the demoniac. The man with the legion approaches him, throws himself at His feet, and the demons speaking through Him beg for mercy. No contest here. Even though the odds are 2000 to one, they see no point in running, no point in fighting. They can do nothing but cringe and wail.
Absolute Power and Authority
"What do You want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God You won't torture me!"
Think for a second about that statement!!
To torture someone implies that you have absolute power over them. An armed man engaged in hand-to-hand combat does not fear that his opponent will torture him.
Having the power to torture also means you have the authority to do to them whatever you want. Even Satan had to have God's permission to torment Job. Jesus never asked permission. In this passage, He is the one giving permission! Compare Mark 5:12-13 with Job 1:12, 2:6.
In contrast, the Bible says that Michael, the archangel, when confronting Satan did not even dare revile him, but said to him, "The Lord rebuke you." He didn't have the right to condemn Satan. In Daniel 10, Gabriel fought with the prince of Persia for three weeks before Michael came to his aid; even so, it is implied that there was a struggle between God's angels and the fallen ones. Later in the vision, it is implied that Michael will stand for Israel on the last day. Revelation 12:7 reveals this further as a struggle: "And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought."
"With Jesus, the odds were over 2000 to 1, yet before Him the legion of demons came trembling!"
Although we may find it distasteful to think of Jesus actually torturing anybody, demons were clearly afraid of that. Perhaps, like the disciples they got His first coming confused with the second--a secret that God did not reveal until His full plan of salvation unfolded at the crucifixion.
"And they cried out, saying, 'What business do we have with each other, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?" (Matthew 8:29).
Another of Jesus' encounters with a demon shows a similar fear:
"Let us alone! What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are--the Holy One of God!" (Luke 4:34).
Revelation 21 reveals the final destination of Satan and his followers:
"And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever." (Rev. 20:10)
"If anyone worships the beast and his image... he will be tormented with burning sulfur in the in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name." (Rev. 14:9-11).
Peter also prophesies the coming judgment of Satan and his angels:
"For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment... then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment." (2 Pet. 2:4, 9)
I am not concerned with the details, such as how one might interpret the "burning sulfur" imagery or a timeline of the last days. The point is this: Satan and company know that there is only One who has the power and authority to pour out God's wrath upon them, and someday he will. So whan Jesus entered the room, they assumed that this was it.
Jesus was not Michael. His power and authority over demons rule that out.
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