I loved those old Southwest Airlines commercials that had the tag line, “Wanna get away?”
The commercials all featured someone who got themselves into an awkward or humiliating situation and for a moment you share with the ad’s protagonist a desire to “get away!” There is a character in the Bible who desperately wanted to “get away” as well. We don’t know his name, but from time to time I bet we can all relate to his situation.
We actually know almost nothing about him. In Mark 5:1-20 and Luke 8:26-39 we are told all that we need to know: He was a complete and total outcast. He lived among the tombs on the far (eastern) side of the Sea of Galilee in the region of the Gadarene. He was possessed by unclean spirits. He had often been chained and shackled by the locals and had just as often broken the chains. He went about naked. He regularly cut himself and screamed. And he was violent towards any who approached him.
And then he meets Jesus. The demons that had caused such ruin and stigma in his life – that had been destroying him and injuring others, are gone. For good. Two thousand swine are filled with a legion of demons and bolt into the sea where they perish. And the emancipated man wants to get away.
In Mark 5:18-19 we read about what happened on the shores of the Sea of Galilee when Jesus was leaving:
“As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. And he did not permit him but said to him, ‘Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.’”
Our anonymous friend with his new lease on life desperately wanted to go with Jesus. He begged Jesus, and I expect that he was confident of his Savior’s acquiescence. The Greek word translated ‘begged’ has already occurred twice in this short narrative. The demons who cruelly possessed him “parekalessu” – begged Jesus to let them enter the pigs. And Jesus said “Yes.” The local people, when they see this old friend sitting clothed and in his right mind are terrified of the power of Jesus and they parakaleiv – beg Jesus to depart from their region. And Jesus said, “yes.” So our poor wounded and weary outcast parekalei – begs Jesus to allow him to leave with him. And Jesus said, “No.”
Isn’t that something? Jesus says “yes” to demons and unbelievers but “no” to his newest follower! Why do you think he does that?
Consider this poor man. He was well known in his region – he was undoubtedly something of a landmark. In Mathew’s account (which mentions that he had a fellow sufferer), we learn that the local people didn’t pass by that way because of him. And this man was marked. He regularly cut himself. His scars would always identify him to those who knew of the madman from the tombs. And any new people he met would be quick to learn the story from others. He had violently attacked others. He had lived nakedly in public. He had nothing good to show and had hidden nothing. His life was an open book, and all who knew him had seen the pages filled with shame and violence. If it were you, wouldn’t you want to get in that boat and try to find a fresh start somewhere on the other side of that sea?
And here is where we must make some application for ourselves. There are times in our lives when we want to get away. From people. From relationships. From families. From towns, teams, offices, even churches. And sometimes we must hear Jesus saying ‘No.” Because he sometimes says that to people with far better reasons for wanting to leave than you have! And when Jesus does say “no,” you must recognize that he has his reasons. In the case of our Gadarene friend, who – despite his discomfort, his history, and his scars could possibly be better suited to declare the power and mercy of Christ? In fact we learn from Mark 5:20 that an entire region comprised of ten chief cities was blessed by his presence: “And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.”
What do you “wanna get away” from? Is God calling you to stay? In your marriage? In your job or career? In your community? Your church? If he has shut doors or spoken quietly to your spirit to decline the open doors around you and remain where you are, what will you do? Will you look for the Lord’s purpose in calling you to stay? Will you make it your chief business to figure out who your Savior is calling you to reach with the message of his power and mercy?
Your Pastor,
Bob Bjerkaas
N.B. The lead picture is simply a stock photo of the Southwest ad campaign. The second image is a 6th century fresco in the Basilica di Santapollinare Nouvo, in Ravenna, Italy. I appreciate this anonymous work of art because it captures the gospel scene after the miracle (note the swine in the water) and shows the freed man clothed and in his right mind kneeling before the Lord.