“What Is It To Me And You?” – MARK 5:6-10

This passage leaves us with some intriguing questions about the spiritual realm, in addition to the demon’s recognition of Jesus as the Son of God. These curious events with demon possession still point back to the amazing fact of the oneness of our God. By calling Him “God Most High”, the demons are consistent with Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18), Balaam (Numbers 24:16), and Moses (Deuteronomy 32:8) in their inherent exaltation of Yahweh. It was in the name of God that Legion petitioned Jesus. At the very least, it must be sobering to clear-thinking individuals that this pitiful being made his acknowledgment of Yahweh when it was too late. Of that reality, there can be no question.

But, what about these random questions?

Why did Legion fear a future torment? We simply cannot be sure whether entrance into heaven and hell is immediate upon our death or delayed until the Day of Judgment. Before Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection it appears as though departed souls went either to Abraham’s Bosom (“Paradise”) or into Hades and its torment (Luke 16:23). We know that a final judgment awaits (2 Peter 2:4) after a time of “holding” in Tartarus at least for “angels who sinned”. Finally, we know that all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ at some point (2 Corinthians 5:10). Legion knew his ultimate destiny (James 2:19) … and he knew the appointed time had not yet arrived (Matthew 8:28).

In Scripture, we are blessed with foreknowledge of the same truth … only if you are reading this it is NOT too late, yet.

Why did Legion ask to be allowed to go into the swine? It is amazing that this demon needed a body to live in. If he was the spirit of an evil / lost dead person, why was he not already in Hades? Perhaps (please take note of the speculative nature of this devo), one reason we do not have demon possession as it was in Jesus’ day is that His death and resurrection changed the ordering of things in the Hadean world, too. At any rate, souls seem to need bodies to inhabit. Even the demons yearned for a body.

What a blessing to know that we shall have new incorruptible bodies in eternity (1 Corinthians 15:50-53 and 1 John 3:1-3).

Why did it matter to Jesus whether Legion was inside another human’s body? Legion apparently recognized the power of Jesus’ deity, but did not comprehend His compassion and His justice. Compassion demanded that Legion leave the man whom he had afflicted. Jesus hurts for us. Even the “spirit of sin” that “possesses” us hurts the One who died for the forgiveness of those sins. At the same time, justice demanded that Legion arrive at his destiny. Destiny and justice are two concepts that do not sound too good when mixed with a discussion of sin. Unless, Jesus is a part of the discussion. His destiny was a cross and an empty tomb so that His justice might be made manifest.

What is it to you and me?

Because of Him, we yearn to cast off this mortal body we “possess” and be “sent” into an immortal body to inhabit forevermore.