The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 1 — Section 221

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-20.-Legion. General question of demon-possession. An ag~avated fonn of Satanic influence. Intelligible enough on the principle of provocation and des- peration: light and darkness are strongest eide by side. The advent of Christ roused to intense activity and excitement the whole demoniacal realm. In this scene there is exemplified- !. MORAL ANTAGONISM. (Vers. 2, 6.) I. Instinctive. Spontaneous; prescient; yet furnishing no intelligible reason. ".An intensified spiritual presentiment" (Lange). 2. Weakness of the demoniac shown by: (1) Excitement. (2) Self-contradiction . .Attraction and repulsion alternating. (3) Use of borrowed weapons. The exor- cism, doubtless so often uttered over him by magicians and ecclesiastics, is all the lore he seems to possess in the way of religion. 3. Strength of Christ proved by calm- ness and self-possession, and resolute pursuit of his object. 4. Utter and absolute. "What have I to do with thee? . . . Torment me not." II. MORAL ASCENDANCY. (Vers. 9-13.) I. Instant exercise of authority. Calm, self- possessed, and fearless. He had already discerned and measured his opponent, and decided as to how he would deal with him. 2. Spiritual insight and skill. The great Physician had made diagnosis of his case. Mental surgery was needed, based upon the most profound truths of psychology. The man had to be discriminated and freed from the indwelling demon. The former had little or no sense of his own personal identity, A Roman legion had probably been quartered near, and when he saw their number and power he felt that they somewhat resembled that which had quartered itself within his own nature. With maniacal vanity he readily adopted the title, "Legion." Pride and wretchedness were probably both involved in the retention of the name; it represented the dominant principle in his confused consciousness. Christ asked him, "What is thy name?" that he might rouse him to a sense of personal identity: a wise measure. 3. Rectoral discipline. "He gave them leave:" apparently their own suggestion, but granted (1) on principle of highest curative psychology- objective disenchantment; the character and distinctness of the unclean occupants of the man's nature being thus outwardly and visibly set forth, his better self, enfran- chised, would be the more likely to assert itself; (2) in pursuance of rectoral dis- cipline. The unclean, unprincipled habits of the people in violating the Law being thus avenged. III. MORAL DECISION. (VIU's, 14-20.) The Gadarenes had to make up their minds with respect to the great Stranger. : The data. (Vers. 14-16.) Material and moral stood forth in opposition, as in so many other instances. How was their relative importance to be estimated? 2. The decision. .A unanimous petition for him to depart. How could such men be expected to judge otherwise? 'l'hey had grand ideas of Christ, but of the wrong sort. 3. The response. Instant departure. He took them at their word. "They believed not on him," and acting upon their unbelief urged their ret1u.est. The conflict of o.nger and fear, fawning and obstinacy. .A word was enough ; nay, a wish, even unexpressed, has often secured the same result. Not the storm, not the evil repute of the people, not even the horror of the demoniac, could deter him from coming; but a word sent l:>im away I How careful should men be in their attitude to the heavenly Visitant I He went, but not without leaving, in the person of the restored maniac, a monument of his saving power and grace, Every region and every heart has its witness to the same.-M. Vers. 9, 10.-Satanic poasession a destruction of personal identity.~ I. INRTANCEB AND ILLUSTRA TtONS. 218 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. [OH. V, 1--43.