Reflecting on Mak's Gospel - Mark 5:1-20

One of the best known of the stories told by Jesus is the one which we known as the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). It is longer than many parables and contains a variety of elements but, as that title suggests, centres on a wayward son who fritters away the family estate on expensive and debauched living. Was that story drawn from true life? Did that father ask Jesus to look out just in case he encountered this profligate character?

Putting it another way, is this Mark’s account of the reality version? Certainly, both stories feature a guy who has got it wrong and a herd of pigs. This character whom Jesus encounters on the other side of the lake is clearly someone who we would describe as ‘having issues’. It is someone to avoid. He is potentially dangerous. The man is described as being with an unclean spirit. Jesus’ repertoire includes healing, telling stories and driving out unclean spirits. Today we would be less likely to think in terms of unclean spirits but, as Megan McKenna (On Your Mark: Reading Mark in the Shadow of the Cross) points out – “unclean spirits are also found today, in religious circles and groups, in nationalistic impulses and the military, in economic systems, and in the institutions of empire.”

She points to the contextual importance of this story – “Rome ruled with brutal disregard and disdain for the peoples of the empire, colluding with local ruling groups to protect Roman interests in the economy, such as slavery and natural resources.  ….  Because the military was constantly present, this story represents a major exorcism of the effects of empire and militarism, the slavery and degradation that affect everyone in the area.”

We can, then, read this story on different levels. The literal level describes the healing and the effect that had on those around the healed man. This was a powerful event – though I guess there might well have been a rather unhappy pig farmer somewhere on the edge of the story. I wonder where we fit into the story. I wonder how it feels when Jesus’ presence becomes what McKenna calls “a power to be reckoned with in our lives.”

But I wonder also what the story says about the demons, or unclean spirits, that can do so much damage in our lives and society. It is a transformational story. Here, as so often, we see Jesus making a difference. However, interestingly, there were a lot of people who remain unconvinced as they began persuading Jesus that he ought to leave this area, though that attitude becomes less surprising if we guess that it might have been the pig farmers who led that particular movement.

So, is this story representative of a politically subversive movement, an attempt to challenge the power of the empire? Is it just a recognition that some people are in desperate situations, and desperately need God’s love? However we apply those, I love the statement is verse 19 that calls out for multiple applications – tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you. I wonder what we will say when we do that.