Lent 2026 Day 15: Fri 6 Mar
Mark 5:14-20
14. Those who fed the pigs fled, and told it in the city and in the country. The people came to see what it was that had happened. 15. They came to Jesus, and saw him who had been possessed by demons sitting, clothed, and in his right mind, even him who had the legion; and they were afraid. 16. Those who saw it declared to them what happened to him who was possessed by demons, and about the pigs. 17. They began to beg him to depart from their region. 18. As he was entering into the boat, he who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. 19. He didn’t allow him, but said to him, “Go to your house, to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you and how he had mercy on you.” 20. He went his way, and began to proclaim in Decapolis how Jesus had done great things for him, and everyone marvelled.
The poor swineherds! Jesus had caused more than a commotion. They’d suddenly lost their jobs, and the pork market was now flooded with surplus bacon. It wasn’t long before everyone had heard about what had happened, and I mean everyone – the whole region would have heard about this event. If you lived and worked here, would you want this man to remain in your region?
We should address the pig in the room. The Gerasene region, to the east of the lake (though the Gadarene region was closer to the lake) was largely Gentile, with a significant Greek population, to whom pigs were not unclean animals. They would have known that Jews avoided pork. The way that Jesus had caused the stampede must have put the wind up them. The witnesses to the event may not have seen any demons – perhaps they only saw Jesus and the man in one part of the scene and then saw pigs running from the hill.
Never mind that the man who, as reported by other Gospel-writers, had been running about unclothed was now dressed (who supplied the clothes at such short notice?!), calm and approachable. Who is going to compensate me for the pigs? Where will I find another job?
The man, now himself, entirely himself, and in a proper state of dress, is so grateful to Jesus that his misery, pain, anguish and torment are over that he naturally wants to stay close and be with him as he moves on. Jesus correctly tells him to remain – he is the prime witness, he is the living proof of Jesus’ authority over unclean spirits, and he has a story that only he can tell because everyone will see for themselves the change that has come about in his life. His witness to his neighbours across the region hardly needs a prepared speech, apart from, “See what Jesus has done for me”.
Does the prize of cleansing one man outweigh the cost of a large herd of pigs, out of pocket owners, jobless workers and a terrified neighbourhood?
Would Jesus do something similar for you?
Father God, I cannot begin to understand the cost to you in Jesus that my sin has exacted. He gave up everything for me. I thank you, into eternity. Amen.
Paul