Who Is This Man?

Who is this man?

Mark Chapter 5

Team building is a very important element in leadership. The Team needs clear objectives and purpose. In our time that has translated into "Mission Statements".

These are often too wordy or broad to capture the essence of just what the goals are. Jesus was the ultimate designer when it came to team building. He had personally assembled His team of 12 Disciples.

They are just starting their work in Mark 4 and Mark 5 so it is necessary for them to go through some team building exercises to cement the "Mission Statement"

In this case these exercises will open their collective vision to who their leader is and just what they are meant to accomplish. First they need to have "Faith" in one another but most importantly in their Leader - Jesus.

Let's look into how Jesus brings this Ministry Team together as a cohesive unit with clear and fixed goals for their 3 year ministry together.

We last left the Disciples on the Sea of Galilee. Mark 4. Their collective "Faith" had been put to the test in a violent storm. Even though they had 5 expert sailors on board they lost all hope and feared certain death. Jesus was asleep and had to be woken to their pending disaster.

Jesus heard the doubt in their voices “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” Mark 4:38

Jesus spoke just three words to the storm engulfing them “Quiet! Be still!” and all was calm. Mark 4:39

How amazing and how powerful are just a few words from the mouth of God.

This power over nature left the Disciples dumbfounded and in shock so that they asked that most famous of questions “Who is this man? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:41

Today we will find clear answers to that question as we examine Mark 5.

Last Sunday after our service I heard Pastor Jake DYCK speak on this subject at Faith Baptist Church in Wallaceburg, Ontario and as he put it; “Jesus was the most misunderstood and mysterious person that is recorded in the Bible. Even His Disciples did not know who they were following, they knew that He was Jesus but they did not really know Him.”

Sadly there are many today who fall into that same category of followers. This fact begs the question that the Disciples asked after Jesus calmed the storm in an instant. “Who is this man”? Mark 4:41

In these two chapters of Mark’s Gospel we get the facts that clearly define who Jesus is.

As Mark 4 closes out we see clearly that Jesus has “Authority” over nature itself. Today men play with machines to manipulate and modify the weather but Jesus only need three words to bring it under submission.

Jesus has authority over nature, over the earth itself. Mark 4:39

In Mark 5 we see Jesus approached by a man who is demon possessed and who has been for many years. The demons gave this man an unnatural strength that allowed the man to break free of chains.

This man was possessed by many demons not just one.

Upon confronting Jesus the demons spoke through the man “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” Mark 5:7-9

Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”

“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.”

In our day we do not encounter people possessed by demons instead we encounter people with mental health issues. The world of the supernatural is no longer one that our world believes in.

Strangely some of the biggest summer blockbusters of recent memory have all been about heroes of the supernatural. It would seem strange to deny something on one hand and then promote it exhaustively on the other.

So which is it?

You need to judge for yourself based on the information and evidence you can find to support one or the other opinions.

For us as Christians the Bible is our final authority.

Jesus called them as He saw them. Jesus said… For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” Mark 5:8

Saints we believe in a spiritual world in fact our eternal hope rest upon it so why do we dismiss the demons and their presence in our time?

We seem to have no trouble with Angels?

Frankly it is a scary thought and one that makes many uncomfortable. If we believe the word of God we must believe the whole word of God and agree with Jesus that some people are indeed victims of impure spirits.

Yes, there are many victims of mental health issues today but the two conditions are distinct and different. We should not discount either condition.