Review

“The time has come,” the walrus said,

To speak of Bigger Gigs;

Of Kings and Lords and Presidents,

Of Potentates and Pigs.”

The walrus never said that, of course.  Nor did Lewis Carroll write it.  But as the second part of the story of the Gerasene Demoniac reveals, Pigs and Potentates do have something in common.  Both can play host to demons:  those supernatural Powers and Principalities we’ve been lumping together under the heading of arkys.  To that extent, at least, Potentates and Pigs belong to a single class and category; and this suggests that there may be other similarities between them.  Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that George Orwell chose pigs to represent the power elite.  

In the previous episode we saw Jesus make a dramatic symbolic statement about the boundless extent of God’s kingdom by landing on the Gentile side of the lake.  We saw the “Local Authorities,” in the form of a man possessed by a Legion of demons, come forward to confront His claim.  We watched as that man and those invisible arkys acknowledged the irrefutable authority of Jesus by bowing down before Him and pleading with Him not to oust them from their territorial domain. 

Let’s find out what happens next.                  

Porcine Possession:  Verses 11-13

11 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. 12 “Send us into those pigs,” the spirits begged.  “Let us enter them.” 13 So Jesus gave them permission.  The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water. [i]

“A large herd of pigs.”  Yet another indication that, from a strictly Jewish point of view, “we’re not in Kansas anymore.”  This really is “the other side of the lake;” for as we know, to the Law-abiding Israelite, pigs are every bit as “unclean” as the graveyard where the demon-possessed man had been living. 

This in itself constitutes an awkward, uncomfortable circumstance for Jesus and His disciples.  Clearly, they are now traveling through a very different kind of place:  a land of pigs.  It’s all rather messy and dirty.  But things often turn out that way when God’s kingdom begins to move out into the world at large.

Recognizing that the mere presence of Jesus has already sealed their doom, and being territorial and local in orientation, the demons suddenly realize that they’re in imminent need of a new domicile.  As we learn elsewhere (Luke 11:24-26), a disembodied existence is not an option for them:  their Chief expects them to dominate someone or something, and they can’t bear the thought of existence in any other mode.  So they beg permission to take possession of the pigs.  And oddly enough, Jesus agrees. 

The sequel is as disturbing as it is bizarre.  No sooner have the evil spirits made their move than the entire herd of porkers precipitates itself over the edge of a cliff and into the waters of the lake.  Biblically speaking, the monsters go back to their place of origin in the dark and murky depths of the sea. 

This is yet another detail that is almost certain to prove problematic for modern readers.  Much as we prize violence, mayhem, death, and destruction in our entertainment, most of us nowadays still want to be assured that “no animals were harmed during the making of this film.”  Sadly, that isn’t the case here.  Why?  Because Arky conflict is serious business.  Once the battle is joined, there will be casualties.  And in the eyes of God, 2,000 pigs, valuable as they may be, can’t compare in worth with a single human life.  

What’s the point of this strange scene?  Most of the details are left maddeningly unexplained, but I think there are at least three conclusions we can draw from the text. 

First, there’s our recurring theme:  all authority in heaven and earth is given to Jesus (Matthew 28:18).  All other Powers and Principalities must ultimately bow to Him (Philippians 2:10, 11).  This is the earliest of all Christian confessions of faith:  Iesous Kyrios – “Jesus [is] LORD.”  And it teaches us that the Christian’s fealty, subjection, and obedience are due to Christ alone; that there are no graduated levels of fidelity and duty, no room for multiple allegiances in the life of a believer. 

Second, submission to other arkys quickly becomes possession by other arkys.  And possession by other arkys is always a bad thing.  It was bad for the man among the tombs.  It was even worse for the pigs.  Those who render allegiance to authorities other than Jesus may be able “get by” under that arrangement for a while, but in the end it will destroy them.                            

Finally, the “spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12) aren’t picky.  They’re open to utilizing a wide variety of methods, strategies, vehicles, and venues in order to accomplish their mission.  They can go with Potentates or Pigs.  To a certain extent it’s a matter of indifference to them (and their Leader) where they set up shop, whether it be with a political party, at a corporate headquarters, within the workings of a marketing or management scheme, or in a herd of swine.  They can make equally effective use of regional loyalties, neighborhood rivalries, racial prejudices, political commitments, Congress, the White House, or the Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches.  What matters is finding a “hook” to hang their hat on, someone to boss, and an excuse to subvert the goodness of God’s creation.  From that point forward it’s all smooth sailing for them – until Jesus shows up.                                           

“No Thanks!:”  Verses 14-17

14 The herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran.  People rushed out to see what had happened. 15 A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons.  He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. 16 Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. 17 And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.

Now for another bit of irony.  For all their diabolical wickedness, the demons we’ve encountered in Mark’s Gospel thus far have always been quick to acknowledge and submit to the authority of Jesus.  Humans, not so much.  That’s how it happens in Gerasa.  When the local farmers, stockmen, and townsfolk get wind of what’s going on, their response is unanimous:  “Get the heck out of here, Jesus!  We don’t cotton to this kind of thing in our neck of the woods!” 

Try to feel the impact of this.  A miracle has taken place!  A lost and broken Son of Adam has been healed, set free, restored to his right mind, and given a chance to re-establish himself in the life of the community.  A divine act of supernatural deliverance has exploded in the faces of the local inhabitants.  Yet their reaction is, “Go away and leave us alone!” 

It isn’t difficult to discern their line of reasoning:  “It’s the economy, stupid!”  Yes, the kingdom of heaven may have arrived on our doorstep.  Signs and wonders may be unfolding before our very eyes.  The earth may be shifting beneath our feet.  God-in-the-flesh may be walking among us.  But what of it?  There are more important things to think about!  The local pork industry just took a big hit!  Stocks are down and jobs are on the line!  So let’s get real, Jesus.  Whatever Your game is, You can take it somewhere else!  We’ve got our priorities!

Demons may be bad news, but there’s one thing you can say in their favor:  they recognize Reality when they see it.  People, on the other hand, tend to live in a delusional world of their own invention.  These Gerasenes are no exception.  They are exactly like Demetrius the silversmith and his fellow craftsmen who, rather than taking an honest look at what was actually happening in Ephesus, chose to oppose the Gospel in order to protect their business interests (Acts 19:23-28).  They also bear a strong resemblance to the scribes and Pharisees who couldn’t see past the rules and regulations to the wonder of a soul redeemed and a withered hand restored (Mark 3:1-6).  This is Arky conflict of yet another variety.  And it’s all the more subtle in that it presents itself to us under the guise of everyday wisdom and common sense. 

Full Circle:  Verses 18-20

18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with Him. 19 But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful He has been. 20 So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them. 

Before leaving this side of the lake we should mention that the story doesn’t end here.  Jesus will come back to the Decapolis in Mark 7:31-37.  When He does, He will be playing to a very different crowd.  By that time people will have heard of His reputation as a Healer.  The “multitude” (7:33) will be expecting signs and wonders from Him.  Why the change?  The answer can be found in these last few verses.

For obvious reasons, the healed and restored demoniac wants to be with Jesus.  It’s a phrase that was used in Mark 3:14 with reference to Christ’s calling of the Twelve:  they were selected to be with Him and proclaim the kingdom in His name.  The implication is plain:  this man wants to become an apostle.  He wants to join this band of itinerant preachers.  He longs to be ordained and go into the Gospel ministry.  But Jesus has other plans for him.

“Go home,” He instructs him, “and tell your own people what God has done for you.”  In saying this, Christ returns to the subject of the family, which He had addressed in such shocking terms back in 3:31-35, and redeems it.  In effect, He says, “Once you’ve got your loyalties and affections straight – that is, once you’ve realized that your allegiance is due first and foremost to Me – it’s time to go full circle.  Return to the place of your origins.  Go back to the people who meant the most you in the first place.  If you really want to announce the arrival of My kingdom, start there.  Begin small, as in the Parable of the Growing Seed, and branch out.  That’s where your love and commitment will be most severely tested.  That’s where you can initiate the process of turning the world upside down – one life and one relationship at a time.”

The man did as Jesus told him, and if the events narrated in Chapter 7 are any indication, his witness bore fruit.  As we’ve already hinted, when Jesus returns to the Decapolis, the people’s new-found openness will enable Him to heal a deaf and dumb man.  And that’s not all.  It will be in this same region – “on the other side of the lake,” in the town of Caesarea Philippi – that Peter will make his earth-shaking confession regarding Jesus’ true identity (Mark 8:29), and where Paul will encounter the Living Lord in a blinding light on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:1-9).  Apparently there’s a very real sense in which the liberated demoniac became “the first apostle to the Gentiles.”[ii]                     

Final Thoughts

What’s the upshot of Christ’s encounter with the Powers and Principalities who rule beyond the narrow confines of Jewish religion?  Answer:  it’s nothing we haven’t underscored at least a dozen times before.  Jesus is Lord of all.  His power and authority are absolute and universal.  There is no Word of Command superior to that which we receive from Him; if there is any bowing, serving, and pledging of fidelity to be done, it is to Christ and Christ alone.  As for the rest of them – Potentates and Pigs alike – we owe them nothing but our most careful observance of the Royal Law (James 2:8): the Law of Love (Romans 12:8).                     

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[i] This week’s Scripture quotations come from The New Living Translation. 

[ii] N. T. Wright, Mark for Everyone, p. 57