The Uncontested Power and Authority of Jesus

Mark 5:1-20 (NLT) The Gospel of Mark The Uncontested Power and Authority of Jesus Introduction: ​This is the first time we see Jesus leaving his “Normal” ministry and going to minister to non-Jews. Jesus heads for Gentile country and what country it is. Mark tells us that they came to the Other side of the lake and we see that it is “Other” in every possible way - There Jesus encounters a man who is the epitome of uncleanness: He is gentile, Filled with demons (The demon calls himself legion - Roman legions were between 4,000 to 6,000 soldiers), He is living among the tombs, and in proximity to a herd of pigs. Nothing could be more “other” or opposite for a Jew. One commentator said that this man is the incarnation of uncleanness.. a complete necrophile, he is the embodiment of living death and his condition can be described as the most dehumanized and wretched individual whom Jesus has yet encountered.” As Jon mentioned last week - Jesus is on a mission, and the disciples are coming with him through wind and waves - and look where he is going! He is going to the other side - into hostile territory for one individual who is enslaved in darkness - Jesus is invading enemy territory in order to reclaim it for the kingdom of God. This whole story is missionary in nature. Jesus has purposely come to the other side of the lake through wind and waves in order to redeem and rescue one enslaved, tortured, soul and reclaim him as a son of God. Though this man has super human strength and seems to possess great power he is also the possession of this demonic power and it has left him naked, isolated and self destructive. It is interesting to note that the NT never tells us what causes or brings about demon possession (Historically the church has connected it to grievous sins) But Jesus never rebukes those who are demonized, he never tells them to repent, and never tells them that their sins are forgiven. Those who are demonized need deliverance. Demonized individuals are victims of an evil power, and it requires a stronger power to deliver to liberate them from demonic oppression. As modern Westerners it is easy for us to dismiss things like demon possession and the supernatural as the superstition and ignorance of generations past. But that is to assume a modern, post enlightenment view of the world. But if we take an honest look at the world there are things that happen in this world, “forces of nature,” that cannot even be explained by science and there are evils done by humans that go far beyond the effects of nature and nurture. There are probably more morbid forces at work in history and consciousness than we know and any honest rational account of life requires the inclusion of the mysterious and unkown. “​Ancient opinion ascribed to demon possession any disease which involved loss of control - epilepsy, delirium, convulsions, nervous disorders, mental derangement - and which therefore suggested the presence of an invading power. Modern medicine can provide other explanations for most of the symptoms, but this does not mean that demon possession can be dismissed as outmoded science. To Jesus all diseases were caused by Satan, though not all by possession, so that with each of his cures he was driving further back the frontiers of Satan’s dominion.” - McKenzie and Russell, The Devil Mark’s gospel pictures a world filled with demonic power and presence more than any other gospel - Mark’s Gospel is set in the midst of a cosmic conflict in which Jesus has come to overthrow the Kingdom of Darkness and the demonic realm that have infected the creation; Jesus comes to bring humanity and the creation into a restored, cleansed healed new creation in the kingdom of God. The man possessed by legion is obviously an extreme example of demonic possession and oppression, but the reality is we live in a demonically influenced world who’s only hope is the exorcising power of Jesus. It’s interesting to note that Mark records Jesus' power over nature in the previous story, Jesus' power over the supernatural in the present story and Jesus' power over disease and death in the following stories. These are stories of Jesus’ uncontested power and authority over every realm of creation. (Has anything Changed? - Where is our faith??) 1. The Uncontested Power and Authority of Jesus a. In this story we are told emphatically by Mark of the power that possesses this man. b. No one​ can bind him c. Not even with chains​ - it was attempted again and again, but he broke the chain in pieces and ripped them apart. d. Again, ​no one had the strength​ to subdue him… e. The man is fully captive to the powers of evil, and beyond all human help, and beyond all hope We should see in this man not just the extreme picture of Demon possession but the effects of idols, ideologies, philosophies and addictions and any other power or authority other than Jesus. All powers, idols and ideologies promise relief, hope, power, security and salvation and they cannot deliver and they leave us helpless and hopeless, in bondage just like this man f. But notice that before the presence of Jesus - The man’s demons are powerless. It’s not even Jesus’ words. It’s his presence -(It’s like a sixth sense) he sees Jesus from afar and comes charging at him, throwing himself at his feet - He cries out with a loud voice - What have I to do with you Jesus, Son of the most high God?! (ironic, that the demon answers the question the disciples asked in the last section - "who is this, that even the wind and waves obey him?”) 1. "The demonic legion acknowledges Jesus’ identity with an honorific title, not to gain power over Jesus by naming him but to try desperately to convince him that his recognizable superiority renders any possible confrontation pointless." We’ve already seen Jesus cast out demons but what happens when he comes against a legion? There is no contest. In Matthew’s Gospel - the demons beg to go to the pigs and Jesus says one word - “Move" and thousands of demons are sent to the pigs and drowned in the sea. In the very next scene we see the man sitting, clothed and in his right mind - in the presence of Jesus 2. Don’t miss this - NO One can help this man, NO One can bind him, None can contain him, no one can stop him - BUT JESUS!! 3. No one​ can bind him 4. Not even with chains​ 5. no one had the strength​ to subdue him… BUT JESUS! What does this mean for our own lives and the things that often over power us? What does this mean for our city and region that is dark, and demon oppressed - the only hope is the presence and power of Jesus! Are we with Jesus? Will we bring his salvation, his power and presence to those who are oppressed and enslaved.. Are we questioning the power and relevance of Jesus and the Gospel to the issues of our culture and the world? - Usually the problem with this is that we have settled for a gospel that is less than what the gospel claims to be. In the book of colossians Paul clearly lays out a much more fuller Gospel than we are used to. It’s not just that Jesus saves guilty sinful people from judgment.. As if sin was the only issue of humanity. The gospel is bigger and more holistic than that! 2. The 3 Dimensional Gospel a. Fear vs. Power (Colossians 1:13 “he has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved son..) b. Shame vs. Honor (Colossians 1:21 “And you who were once alienated and hostile in min, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death) c. Guilt vs. Innocence (Colossians 1:22 “In order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.) This is our message about God’s holistic salvation and rescue and it is our task to bring this news into the context of the life of the individual and community around us! d. This is where Jesus is going - are we with him? Mark has already told us that Jesus sends out his disciples to preach and to have authority to cast out demons! Are we with him? Are we on Jesus’ mission? Note that Jesus will often take us where we do not want to go and where we would not choose to go - Jesus doesn't run from the fight, he runs to it. As the church in America we are often concerned with our rights, our safety, our well being. Many are tempted as in times past to flee from the darkness, death and decay of certain regions.. But this is not what we see Jesus doing. He goes straight into the eye of the storm….to rescue people we might consider too far gone, uninterested, hostile, dangerous, unclean, faithless, hopeless. 3. Behind the scenes of this story there is a bigger picture being painted. a. It would not have been lost on the first readers that this is a story about Rome and the power behind it. The name of the man’s oppressors and possessors are legion - the name of the Roman cohorts that came by land and sea to conquer the land of Israel. Whoever got in their way was crushed by their power - none could over power them. They’re pigs. They are unclean Gentiles,. They are satan incarnate… Are you catching on?? 4. How will the son of the most high God deliver from these oppressors? Not in the way that we might think…Not like this story. Not with a single word - but with the whole of his being. 5. Jesus will become like and take the place of this demonized and afflicted man - At the climax of Mark’s story Jesus himself will end up naked, isolated, outside the town among the tombs, shouting incomprehensible things as his flesh is torn apart on the cross by his Roman torturers - A agentile outsider declaring - this is the Son of God! And this is how Jesus will deal with this evil oppressor behind the power of Rome and every power since.. a. "Jesus comes to share the plight of the people, to let the enemy do its worst to him, to take the full force of evil on himself and let others go free.” - NT Wright In the name of mission we often appeal to the Imago Dei - that people are made in the image of God and are worthy of dignity and respect, or that people are enslaved and subject to sin and bondage and in need of rescue, etc. All that is true - But we're not sent because people are worthy - We’re sent because HE is worthy!! We’re sent because our God is love! and he dearly loves lost, oppressed, hurting people… b. "If God has done what the Bible says he has done, then our response should be to witness to his love and ask, “How can I glorify God?” So that there may be throughout the world those who turn their faces to God and give him thanks and glorify him. The glory of God is the purpose, the goal of mission, and our one aim is that we should praise and glorify Him.” Newbigin, Signs amid the rubble Are we fearful that it’s beyond our ability and power? It is, but Jesus goes with us, he has sent us! 6. Closing:​ As our story comes to a close we see that the town’s people who have come out to see what has happened to the legion and the pigs - find the man clothed and in his right mind and like the disciples in the last section - ​they are afraid ​- for they have come into the presence and power and authority - the presence of Jesus. a. Don’t miss Mark’s note on the people sending Jesus away because of their fear of further economic loss - They don’t care one bit about the man being set free from this demonic oppression - that he is clothed and in his right mind. All they care about is that his healing has meant their financial loss. 7. Jesus leaves and the man begs that he might go with Jesus - Jesus says ​"no, Go home and tell everyone what the Lord has done for you.”​ (the only time Jesus encourages someone to spread the news about him) It says, ​“the man went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis (Ten Gentile cities) how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marvelled.​ (His radical transformation caused people to wonder). This man becomes the first Apostle to the Gentiles. Holy Spirit - do it again! I have taught through this text from the perspective of disciples of Jesus - going where he goes, bringing the power and presence of Jesus to bear upon the darkness. But let’s not forget that we ourselves are susceptible to demonic influence, and false narratives - that would get us to put confidence in any power other than the power of Christ or to fear and to forget the power of Christ and the Gospel. So we also are in need of bringing our lives back into line with the truth of this story and the biblical story of Jesus’ uncontested power and authority over every realm of creation. 1. “​The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ​16 F ​ or in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. ​17 H ​ e is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ​18 A ​ nd he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.​19 F ​ or God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ​20 a ​ nd through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.​21 O ​ nce you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. ​22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— ​23 ​if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.