Lesson 7 · August 15, 1891

The Prisoner Loosed; the World's Estimate of a Soul.—Mark 5:1-20

Parallels: ; .

1.Who had evidently attempted to destroy Jesus in the storm on the Sea of Galilee? .
2.What obstacle met our Lord on first landing in Gadara? . See note 1.
3.What was his character? .
4.Though he could not be bound, yet whose prisoner was he?
5.What was his evident design upon Jesus? .
6.As he came into the presence of the Son of God, what did he do? .
7.What did Jesus do? ; .
8.When the man tried to reply, what did the spirit say through him? . See note 2.
9.What question did Jesus then ask the demon? , first part.
10.What reply did the demon make?—
11.What request did the demons make? .
12.Was this request granted? , first part. See note 3.
13.What was the consequence of this? ; .
14.What did the keepers of the swine do? , first part.
15.What was the effect of this report?—, second part; , first clause.
16.When they saw the man in his right mind, how were they affected? .
17.How were they further informed? ; .
18.When they learned of the swine, what hasty request did they make? ; .
19.What did this show in regard to their appreciation of Christ and his work?
20.What did the released captive desire? . See note 4.
21.Did Jesus grant the request? , first clause.
22.What better thing was the man instructed to do? .
23.How did he regard the instruction? .
24.What effect did the man's preaching have upon the people?—

Notes

1. The Demoniac.—Matthew says that there were two men possessed with demons; Mark and Luke say one. There is no contradiction. One was doubtless more prominent than the other, and Mark and Luke mention this one.

2. The Time of Judgment.—As the demoniac came into the presence of Christ, he seemed to realize that there was help for him, so he fell down before him in the attitude of worship. The demons within him also realized the power of Christ, and when their poor victim attempted to speak, they put their own words in his mouth, and plead for themselves that they might not be tormented before "the time"—the great day of God's executive judgment, which they know is sure to come. One demon seems to have been mouthpiece for all.

3. Swine versus Souls.—The Lord permitted the demons to possess the swine; in thus doing a human soul was set free. Satan's object was to destroy Christ, or, failing in that, his influence. The destruction of the swine did, for a time, affect the latter. But Christ left a living witness of his power to save. Before they knew Christ, the swine was more precious in their eyes than a redeemed soul. But the life of the restored demoniac brought the people to their senses, and led them to better appreciate the worth of the gospel of Christ.

4. Called to Service.—It would certainly have been more pleasant for the restored man to have remained with Christ; but great blessings bring great obligations. As Christ had released him from the bondage of Satan, he became Christ's servant, and it was therefore his duty to do Christ's work. Jesus told him to "go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee." This he cheerfully did, and the result was that those who would not accept Jesus in person because they did not know him, listened with wonder as he was lifted up in the life and testimony of the restored demoniac. There is no testimony so powerful as that which comes from a heart which has been cleansed from sin by the power of Christ. Let us ever remember, as taught by this lesson, that Christ calls us and cleanses us for service.

Bible texts in this lesson

Matthew 8:28-34 · Luke 8:26-40 · Ephesians 2:2 · Mark 5:1 · Mark 5:2 · Mark 5:3 · Mark 5:4 · Matthew 8:28 · Mark 5:6 · Mark 5:8 · Luke 8:29 · Mark 5:7 · Mark 5:9 · Mark 5:10-12 · Mark 5:13 · Matthew 8:32 · Matthew 8:14 · Matthew 8:34 · Mark 5:15 · Mark 5:16 · Luke 8:36 · Mark 5:17 · Luke 8:37 · Mark 5:18 · Mark 5:19 · Mark 5:20

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