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Beggars Before Jesus - Mark 5
05 Beggars Before Jesus Mark 5
When Jesus meets the demon-possessed man in Mark 5, we begin seeing the very nature of who Jesus is - the Lord of Lord and Kings of Kings. The demons immediately recognize and address him as ‘Jesus, Son of the Most High God”. They had taken possession of the man and thus he was ‘not in his right mind’ (cp. vs. 15). These demons at first try to put Jesus under an oath to God - “I adjure you by God…”. They were attempting to resist for Jesus was saying: “come out of him!”. Such resistance was futile and they then BEG him EARNESTLY (vs. 10 and 12). They could only act by His permission. He had the authority to command and permit their actions. They then DID what He commanded. Demons were subject unto Him.
Interestingly enough, as the word of this reached the people of the community, they also beg Jesus. They however beg Jesus to depart from their region (vs. 17). Instead of seeing the great power that Jesus has and that He used it for the benefit of men, they were afraid (vs. 15). People STILL react this way. They are afraid that He will command that which is hurtful or detrimental to them. They end up living their lives without Him. They will see Him again, and every knee will bow and every mouth will confess that Jesus is Lord (cp. Phil. 2:10-12).
The man who was saved from the demon possession also begged Jesus! He begged that he could continue with Him. Jesus did not allow him to physically continue with him but sent him home to proclaim what the Lord had done. He continued with Jesus spiritually by hearing and obeying the instructions of the Lord.
Jesus is Lord. We are only beggars before him, subject unto His word. The godly desire to be with Him. The godly hear and obey. What kind of beggar are you? Hugh DeLong
