Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.
Mark 5:1-6
Probably, you have read this Scripture, heard it taught, and preached over and over again. You most likely know it like the back of your hand, but do you really pay attention to the back of your hand?
We all know that the man lived in the graveyard. We know that at times the men of city captured him and tied him up with chains, but He would pull them apart. We know that no one could calm him down and that he was a wild man. We also know that he was possessed with many powerful demons, and that the man had never met Jesus before that very day. However, on that day the man ran to Jesus and worshiped Him.
The question is why? Maybe a verse in the Book of James will give us a hint. The Bible says in James 2:19,
“You believe that there is one God; if so, you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
The man had never seen Jesus before but the demons that possessed him knew exactly who Jesus was. There is also another verse that may tell us why he came and worshiped Christ. The Word says in Romans 14:11,
“For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”
Bowing the knee is a position of worship. The demons knew exactly who Jesus was and proclaimed, “What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God?” Demons never take for granted the presence of Jesus thus the man ran to Jesus and “worshiped Him.” Would it not be wise for us to do the same? Should we not be able to recognize His presence and unashamedly worship Him? Have a blessed day, amen.
