One of the truly sad stories in the New Testament is that of Yeshua’s meeting a man who was demonized and living in the tombs. Only one scenario outranks the scene of a man “Constantly, night and day … screaming among the tombs and in the mountains, and gashing himself with stones.” (Mark 5:5, NASB). It is the story of the rich fool, the man who loved his property more than his life. The story of the tomb dwelling victim of Satan ends in a particularly happy note.

Rich fool

“And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” They were even more astonished and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?””

Mark 10:23-26, NASB

The action-plea that worked

In this complicated series of actions the one thing that the man who dwelt among the tombs was able to do he did and God responded marvelously. In verses 7 and 9b Mark relates how the demons try to squelch the man’s voice to the extent that we never hear the man’s voice. Like sparks flying upwards, the man sought only to be in Yeshua’s presence. “Seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down before Him;” (Mark 5:6, NASB).

Without a voice

When Jesus tried to speak to the man the demons would respond. When the demons realize that Jesus was going to deal with them decisively they begged for options. “And [he] began to implore Him earnestly not to send [them] out of the country.” (Mark 5:10, NASB, braces added to show the demonic dominance and confusion)

Clothed, free, eager to be with his saviour, amazing everyone

• “They came to Jesus and observed the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the “legion”; and they became frightened.
• Those who had seen it described to them how it had happened to the demon-possessed man, and all about the swine. And they began to implore Him to leave their region.
• As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him that he might accompany Him.
• And He did not let him, but He said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.”
• And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed. (Mark 5:15-20, NASB)