The Way
The Man Among the Tombs
A darkness stronger than chains, a word stronger still
Story
The boat landed on the far side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. As soon as Jesus stepped out of the boat, a man who lived among the tombs came running out. People had tried to bind him with chains, but he snapped the chains and smashed the shackles. No one could subdue him. Night and day he wandered among the tombs and in the hills, crying out and cutting himself with stones.
He fell down before Jesus and shouted at the top of his voice. Jesus, Son of the Most High God, I beg you, do not torment me. Jesus asked him, what is your name? He answered. Legion, for we are many. On the hillside nearby, a large herd of pigs was feeding. The unclean spirits begged to be sent into them, and when Jesus allowed it, they went in. Then the herd, about two thousand pigs, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned.
The men tending the pigs ran off and reported it, and the whole town came out. What they saw was the man, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind. Instead, the people grew afraid and begged Jesus to leave. As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man pleaded to go with him. Jesus would not allow it, but said, go home and tell them the great things the Lord has done for you. He went all through the Decapolis, telling what Jesus had done for him.
Walk this scene on the map →His Words
Go home to your family. Tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.
Unclean spirit, come out of this man.
What is your name?
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Mt 8:28–34 · Mk 5:1–20 · Lk 8:26–39
Background
Mark and Luke call it the region of the Gerasenes, Matthew the region of the Gadarenes, and the manuscripts disagree on the name. At Kursi on the eastern shore stand the remains of a fifth century Byzantine monastery commemorating this event.
Pause and Reflect
Who is the first person I want to tell about the grace Jesus has shown me?