The Incredible Possibility of a Restored Image

Scripture:

Mark 5:1   They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. ² And when he had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man out of the tombs with an unclean spirit met him. ³ He lived among the tombs; and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain; ⁴ for he had often been restrained with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him. ⁵ Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always howling and bruising himself with stones. ⁶ When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him; ⁷ and he shouted at the top of his voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” ⁸ For he had said to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” ⁹ Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” ¹⁰ He begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. ¹¹ Now there on the hillside a great herd of swine was feeding; ¹² and the unclean spirits begged him, “Send us into the swine; let us enter them.” ¹³ So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and were drowned in the sea.

Mark 5:14   The swineherds ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came to see what it was that had happened. ¹⁵ They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. ¹⁶ Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. ¹⁷ Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighborhood. ¹⁸ As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. ¹⁹ But Jesus refused, and said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.” ²⁰ And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.

Observation:

This man is presented as one in whom the image of God is not visible. He is as far from reflecting the nature and character of Christ as one can get. The unclean spirits have consumed him and everything about his life is touched by this trial. He lives among the tombs hoping to find peace in a place of the dead. Chains cannot restrain him and he stands day and night screaming and cutting/bruising himself, hoping upon hope that the pain he brings upon himself will overshadow the continual torment.

Upon encountering Jesus the unclean spirits dominate the man and nothing of the original image of God in him is visible. Identifying themselves as Legion, it becomes clear that this man has become possessed by an inordinate number of unclean spirits. They recognize Christ and fear his power and authority, therefore they begin to bargain for their future. Evil does not want to be destroyed so Legion requests permission to enter a herd of swine. The chaos that ensues results in Legion’s self-destruction through the drowning of the swine. 

The shockwaves to the community would have been great, as well as the economic impact. The people of the town have to see what has happened. Arriving at the scene they find the man entirely restored, clothed and in his right mind. Probably afraid of the community because of the loss of the swine, the man begs to go with Jesus. In other situations we see Jesus telling those who have been healed to keep it quiet. In this case we find the exact opposite. The man is told to go and reflect the restored image of God in him to his community. And so he went among the ten towns of the area, proclaiming to all who would listen what Jesus had done for him and as he reflected the image, the people were amazed. 

Application:

Maybe it’s time for a faith check. Have we come to a place and time where we think that some people and the challenges that they face are beyond the reach of God? I believe that this passage is an intentional reminder of the powerful work that Christ can do in this world. Jesus had just calmed the sea, revealing his power over the chaos of nature. Now, he faces this individual whose problems are far greater than the community can handle. Not only are his problems great, but he has become a shell of a human being, riddled with anguish and self-torture. 

This story becomes a reminder that no one is outside of the reach of restoration. The possibility of restoration in the image of God is placed before all of humanity. This is a powerful hope for it comes with the presence of the Holy Spirit. This is the promise of a victorious Christian life even in the midst of great challenges. We can be overcomers in the midst of trying circumstances. We can live in hope and joy as restored vessels. 

Society tried to do all they could for this man, but all they did was treat his symptoms. He was miserable, as well as the entire community. Yes, we need to be engaged with the human condition and treat symptoms well, but I think this story is challenging us to believe that there is a greater victory to be found in restoration. I leave this passage today wondering whether I have, at times, been satisfied with finding places for the troubled and trying to keep them from self-destructive practices when Jesus offers so much more. The incredible possibility of a restored image is presented here as a divine gift from Christ, himself. 

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the possibility of restoration, only possible because of your life, death, and resurrection. Amen.