“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. And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region. And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you” Mark 5:15-19, NLT In the early morning the Saviour and His companions came to shore, and the light of the rising sun touched sea and land as with the benediction of peace. But no sooner had they stepped upon the beach than their eyes were greeted by a sight more terrible than the fury of the tempest. From some hiding place among the tombs, two madmen rushed upon them as if to tear them in pieces. Hanging about these men were parts of chains which they had broken in escaping from confinement. Their flesh was torn and bleeding where they had cut themselves with sharp stones. Their eyes glared out from their long and matted hair, the very likeness of humanity seemed to have been blotted out by the demons that possessed them, and they looked more like wild beasts than like men. The disciples and their companions fled in terror; but presently they noticed that Jesus was not with them, and they turned to look for Him. He was standing where they had left Him. He who had stilled the tempest, who had before met Satan and conquered him, did not flee before these demons. When the men, gnashing their teeth, and foaming at the mouth, approached Him, Jesus raised that hand which had beckoned the waves to rest, and the men could come no nearer. They stood raging but helpless before Him. With authority He bade the unclean spirits come out of them. His words penetrated the darkened minds of the unfortunate men. They realized dimly that One was near who could save them from the tormenting demons. They fell at the Saviour’s feet to worship Him; but when their lips were opened to entreat His mercy, the demons spoke through them, crying vehemently, “What have I to do with Thee, Jesus, Thou Son of God most high? I beseech Thee, torment me not.” Jesus asked, “What is thy name?” And the answer was, “My name is Legion: for we are many.” Using the afflicted men as mediums of communication, they besought Jesus not to send them out of the country. Upon a mountainside not far distant a great herd of swine was feeding. Into these the demons asked to be allowed to enter, and Jesus suffered them. Immediately a panic seized the herd. They rushed madly down the cliff, and, unable to check themselves upon the shore, plunged into the lake, and perished. Meanwhile a marvelous change had come over the demoniacs. Light had shone into their minds. Their eyes beamed with intelligence. The countenances, so long deformed into the image of Satan, became suddenly mild, the bloodstained hands were quiet, and with glad voices the men praised God for their deliverance. From Ellen G. White’s The Desire of Ages p. 337 and 338* …......…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. ELLEN G. WHITE (1827-1915), one of the most published authors in the world, named one of the “100 Most Significant Americans of All Time” by the Smithsonian Institution in 2014, was a co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. *You can read The Desire of Ages in its entirety online at www.whiteestate.org/onlinebooks.
This article is part of our 2025 March/April Issue …......…………………………………………..
A Conversation About Dignity and Restoration According to the Centers for Disease Control, “More than 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental illness. Over 1 in 5 youth (ages 13-18) either currently or at some point during their life, have had a seriously debilitating mental illness. About 1 in 25 U.S. adults lives with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.” This is the epidemic that we aren’t talking about enough. At least there’s a vaccine for COVID-19. There is no vaccine against mental illness. The story of the demon-possessed man, in Mark 5, invites us to have an important conversation about mental and emotional wellness. Read Mark 5:1-20 Try to take in this scene. Here is a man whom the people have attempted to restrain, in vain. He is thus isolated, as he is an embarrassment that brings harm to the community. Also, notice that he lives among the dead. Given the fact that he’s cutting himself continually, did he relegate himself to the graveyard because he wishes he were dead? Read Matt. 8:28-34 and compare with Mark 5:1-20. While Mark’s account identifies one man, Matthew asserts there were two. Could it be the disciples were unclear of the details having been so horribly terrified by the scene? One could argue that the disciples possibly even took flight to find safety at the sight of the demented man. “Who knows how many there were. We were too busy running away to count!” Do you think that the differences in the accounts impact the meaning of the story? Compare with Luke 8:26-37. Modern translations of Luke’s account raises a unique detail. Luke attests that there were guards at the tomb (v. 29). What exactly were they guarding? Is it possible that they were there simply to ensure that the demon-possessed man did not escape? Also, the text details that it was the evil influence that actually led the man into “solitary places.” Do you see how isolation works here? Isolation is not only the device of Satan, but is also the strategy of the legal authorities. Do we do greater harm by isolating those who are mentally ill, or otherwise in need? Read Mark 5:9-10. Notice that Jesus asks the man his name, and this man is prevented from answering even the most fundamental human question. Reflect on the ways in which mental illness can likewise disrupt the most rudimentary sense of identity, and thus, one’s social standing. How can we help restore the identity and dignity of people with these struggles? Read Mark 5:5 Notice how the man couldn’t rest and was tormented day and night. On its face, the man seems to exhibit a horrendous and extreme manic disorder. Is he possibly suffering from some sort of paranoia, or, more specifically, paranoid schizophrenia? Is it possible that mental and emotional instability are the results of supernatural affliction? Read Daniel 4:28-34. Notice in Daniel 8:34 where the King says that his “sanity” returned. Different versions of the Bible have translated that word in various ways, but what was clear was that he lost his mental faculties and after some time, they were returned. Is this too harsh a punishment from God? Read Mark 5:15-20, Deut. 28:28, Philippians 4:6-7, and Isaiah 26:3. Always remember, God remains Sovereign over every illness and dysfunction. Just as the demon-possessed man was delivered from that plague of evil spirits, so is God still able to deliver those who are troubled with any chemical, emotional, or mental imbalance, and every spiritual crisis. Will you trust God to deliver you too? ……………………………………………………………………….. CHRISTOPHER C. THOMPSON, D.MIN is an adjunct professor in the School of Religion and Theology at Oakwood University. He serves as the Executive Director of Thumbs Up, Inc., and pastor of Lighthouse Church in Beaufort, South Carolina.
This article is part of our 2025 March/April Issue
A REFLECTION : From Terror and Torment to Peace and Tranquility
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