The Gadarenes, Phase 2: Revival

David W Palmer

(Matthew 8:34 DKJV) And the whole town came out for a meeting with Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.

Did Jesus give up on that whole region because the initial response of the people was to reject him? No, he had a plan. It was a very simple plan, but oh so effective:

(Mark 5:18–20 NKJV) And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. {19} 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.” {20} And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

Up until that time, Jesus had been calling apprentices to follow him, and spelling out the true cost of discipleship. In this case, the man that Jesus had set free from demonization “begged” him that he might be with him—to follow him. However, Jesus did something completely new with this potential disciple; he told him, “Go home to your friends.” 

Jesus didn’t call this man to follow him. Instead, by setting him free with a mighty miracle, Jesus gave him a powerful testimony. His call was to “tell … what great things the Lord has done for you …” In other words, Jesus sent this excited convert back among his friends and family. For many baby Christians, going solo back to their old network would lead to a strong temptation to resume their old life. But this was Jesus’s call for this man. What was the reason? And what was the outcome?

One chapter later, Jesus sent his disciples back across the lake (Mark 6:45). They faced another windy storm (Mark 6:48)—where Jesus came to them walking on the water, and then joined them in the boat. But when they arrived this time, it was to a completely different reception from the townsfolk:

(Mark 6:53–56 NKJV) When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there. {54} And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, {55} ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. {56} Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.

Prior to the testifying of the delivered man, the townsfolk had begged Jesus to leave their region. But now they were running through the whole surrounding district to bring needy people to him, and begging him to allow them to “touch the hem of his garment.” The outcome? All who touched him were made well—completely whole. 

Jesus is a genius. He knew exactly what the ex-demonized man had been created for; he understood his talents, his inherent nature, his motivational gift, and the grace that had been imparted to him for this ministry. Jesus knew the purpose God had in mind for this man when he designed him: 

(Psalm 139:13–16 TPT) “You formed my innermost being, shaping my delicate inside and my intricate outside, and wove them all together in my mother’s womb. I thank you, God, for making me so mysteriously complex! Everything you do is marvelously breathtaking. It simply amazes me to think about it! How thoroughly you know me, Lord! … You saw who you created me to be before I became me! Before I’d ever seen the light of day, the number of days you planned for me were already recorded in your book.”