CLOTHED AND IN HIS RIGHT MIND --Monday:
"Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid." (Mark 5:15, NKJV).
Jesus had just spent an extensive period ministering to the people. Multitudes of demon-possessed and sick people had been brought to Him and "He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all that were sick" (Matt 8:16). He also taught them extensively, speaking to them in parables "as they were able to hear it" (Mk 4:33). Then, the Scriptures record, "Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave commandment to depart unto the other side" (Matt 8:18). Finally entering into a ship with His disciples, they began the trip, only to encounter "a great tempest in the sea." It was as though something was determined to hinder them from arriving on the "other side." You remember how Jesus, being awakened from sleep, rose and stilled the tempest with but a word, causing His disciples to marvel (Mark 4:37-41).
Arriving at their destination, "the country of the Gadarenes," the majestic Savior came out of the boat only to be immediately confronted with a wild man. He made his home among the tombs, had an unclean spirit, and no one had been able to restrain him. He had snapped the chains with which he had been frequently bound, and was day and night in the mountains and among the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones (Mk 5:2-4).
As soon as this man saw Jesus, "he ran and worshiped Him." Speaking through him, the unclean spirit cried out, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me." Immediately Jesus rejoined, "Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit." The Savior then asked the spirit to identity himself, and he answered "My name is Legion: for we are many." With great fervency the malignant spirit begged Jesus not to make them leave that country, thereby indicating how perverse it was. Jesus gave them permission to enter a herd of 2,000 swine, which the demons drove over a cliff into the sea, wherein they forthwith were drowned. Those feeding the swine saw this, and reporting it "in the city and in the country." When the people rushed to the scene they "saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind." Their reaction–"They were afraid" (vs 12-15).
What a marvelous picture of salvation! It brings us to a state of peace: "sitting." We are arrayed with the righteousness of God Himself–"clothed." No longer under the captivating influence of sin and the devil, our minds are blessed with clarity and perception–"right minds." What great thanksgiving is stimulated when we behold what we have been delivered from, and what we have come to possess. Like the former wild man, we have reason to give thanks.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus Christ for delivering me from sin, its power, and its author.