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A Man Bound Set Free


A Man Bound Set Free 
   
    In the fifth chapter of Mark we are introduced to a man possessed by demons.  Mark 5:2 reads, “And when he had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit.”  This man in bondage was destined to meet the Lord and experience deliverance. 
  
    Verse 5 reveals that he cried out in desperation.  He was tormented and tortured in his mind. He cut himself with stones and sharp instruments.  He lived among the tombs in the place of death.  The town officials didn’t know how to handle him.  As a matter of fact in some translations he is called the Maniac of Gadara. 

    They bound him with chains and fetters.  A fetter is a shackle that is designed for the feet.  They had tried to control him by wrapping him in chains and binding his feet.

    We learn in Mark 5:3-4, “Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, verse 4 – “because he had often been bound with shackles (fetters) and chains.  And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him.” 

    I believe that this man represents many who are lost today. He represents the multitudes that have never met the Master.  He represents those today abiding in spiritual death and bound by the chains of sin. 

    Ephesians 2:1-3 reads, “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.”

    Like this tormented man our feet where locked in shackles.  Satan loves to enslave, bind with chains, and to fetter your feet with shackles.  Why? because he doesn’t  want you to walk in the freedom that is available to you through salvation.  He wants to control your movement and impede your progress. 

    The Bible uses your walk to describe your life as a believer. In John 8:12 we are warned not to walk in darkness. Romans 8:1 teaches that we are not to walk after the flesh. The following Scriptures encourage the believer in your Christian walk:

  • 1 John 1:7  encourages to walk in the light.
  • 3 John 3, 4 instructs to walk in the truth.
  • Colossians 2:6 exhorts to walk in Christ.
  • Galatians 5:16 teaches that the believer is to walk in the Spirit.
  • Ephesians 5:2 instructs the believer to walk in love.
    This man in Mark 5 was bound, tortured, and tormented day and night.  He was ostracized by his community, separated from his family, and living in a graveyard like a wild man.  He had no hope, but his life was about to change.

    What happened to this man?  He met the Savior.  The man bound in chains was set free.  Mark 5:6 –8 “When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.” “And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” 8 For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” 9 Then He asked him, “What is your name?”

    We learn that this man was possessed by a number of demons.  His answer to Jesus, “Legion, for we are many.” What happened?  What took place in this man’s life?  The demons had to obey the voice of God.

    We can identify with this unnamed man that was bound by unclean spirits. Before Jesus came into our lives we were bound with chains both hands and feet.  Like this man our lives were changed and we will never be the same again.

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