Jesus demonstrated His supreme power over nature in the stilling of the storm (Mk. 4:35-41), and immediately after crossing the lake to the other side, he is confronted by a powerful demoniac (Mk. 5:1ff). We know he is powerful because the man has lost complete control over his senses, as evidenced by his lack of clothing and housing (Lk. 8:27) and his screaming and self-mutilation (Mk. 5:5). Further, many had attempted to restrain this man with chains on multiple occasions, and nothing had been found that could keep him bound (Mk. 5:3-4). Finally, the power of the demons is demonstrated in the quantity of the demons — they are “legion,” a designation used to identify a unit of 6000 men in the Roman army.
Mark tells of the encounter in simplistic terms: the man “met” Jesus. The word used by Mark could refer to either a congenial or a hostile meeting. But this usage has the sense of a set-up. Satan is unleashing one of his most powerful foes against Christ. Nothing on earth had been found to be able to contain the fury and rage of the man, and Satan wants to expose Christ and defeat Christ with his demonic henchmen and this man.
But instead of Christ’s defeat, this account (and the rest of the chapter’s healings) provides a picture of the powerful supremacy of Christ. He cannot be defeated by any storm of nature, any demonic opposition, any physical illness, or even death (the raising of the girl gives a hint of what is to come with Christ’s self-resurrection from the grave).
The stilling of the storm (4:35-41) demonstrates His position as creator and having authority over nature; His expulsion of the demons (5:1-20) demonstrates His power as ruler by His authority over Satan, and His healings (5:21-43) demonstrate His power as ruler by His authority over sickness and death.
“The point is: he can deliver you from anything if you will come to him — not only your miserable past, but present sins — your hatreds, your prejudices, your loathings. He can not only save your soul, but can restore your proper love for your spouse, your parents, your children. The thing that will stop Jesus is what the Gerasenes did: they sent him away. Tell him to leave you alone and he will–at least for a season. But tell him enough, and there will come a time when it may be too late. Why put it off? Turn to Christ for salvation. Turn to Christ for healing.” [Kent Hughes, Mark, vol. 1.]
Words of Grace 