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     The story of the Gerasene demoniac has many colorful details that can distract from its purpose in the Gospel According to Mark.  There is the description of the demoniac as being so strong and possessed that he could not be tied even by chains.  There is the herd of pigs that the unclean spirit(s) beg to enter when cast out of the demoniac, which then runs into the sea!  And there is the interesting charge from Jesus to the demoniac not to follow after Jesus but to go "Go home to our family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you."  The villagers, by contrast, beg Jesus to leave.  His power does not arouse faith in them, but rather fear!

     The fundamental point of the story is the power of Jesus which can overcome even the strongest of evil spirits.  Yet, in keeping with the overall direction of the Gospel According to Mark, even this demonstration of Jesus' power is not enough to waken faith in everyone.  In this story, only the demoniac is ready to follow Jesus.  Like all disciples in this gospel, he would only come to know Jesus at Jesus' death and resurrection.

     The Gospel According to Mark challenges us to read it in reverse order!  If we want to understand Jesus in this gospel, we must begin with his death and resurrection and then go back and see his ministry in the light of those two events.  No miracle was sufficient to convince, even driving out the demon in this story.  We are not the original audience for the gospel, and the reverse way of reading it may not make sense to us now, but it's like turning on a light after finding our way around a room in the darkness.  AMEN