MANIAC OF GADARA

 *07/06/2023*


*MID WEEK SERVICE*


THEME:

*UNNAMED PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE*


TOPIC:

*MANIAC OF GADARA*


Text:

Mark 5:1-20


Jesus was encountered by a man with an unclean spirit.

The man was demon possessed.

It is not certain that the demons needed permission to leave the man and enter the swine, but they may have been trying to forestall permanent bondage by Christ. ( The bottomless pit of Revelation 9:1 may be such a place of imprisonment). Jesus bears no responsibility for the action the demons took; He did not direct them to run the swine into the sea. Even today, two thousand hogs is a very large herd. Their monetary value could easily have been worth a lot in today's economy - a sizeable loss for the owners.

The Old Testament forbade Jews to have any contact with swine (Leviticus 11:7,8). However, the owners of these swine might not have been Jewish, since this area was inhabited largely by Gentiles (Mark 5:20). Jesus was not well received in this region. His presence had cost financial loss to some, although it meant liberation to the demoniac. Jesus could have healed and saved in that region, but He was turned away by its fearful citizens. Yet He left a solid witness behind. All the people marveled when they heard what Jesus had done for him.

Jesus later made an excursion through the Decapolis region (Mark 7:31).

Decapolis literally means "ten cities".

This largely Gentile, Greek speaking area was an important strategic link in Rome's military defense.


*©2023*

*Ecumenican Church Nigeria ®*

Instagram: *@ecumenicanchurch*

WhatsApp/Telegram:

*+2348052366039*

Email: *johnifesanya@gmail.com*

*www.johnifesanya.blogspot.com*

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