Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea, to the territory of the Gerasenes. When he got out of the boat, at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him. The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain. In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, crying out in a loud voice,
“What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!” (He had been saying to him, “Unclean spirit, come out of the man!”)
He asked him,
“What is your name?”
He replied, “Legion is my name. There are many of us.” And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive them away from that territory. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside. And they pleaded with him, “Send us into the swine. Let us enter them.”
And he let them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine. The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea, where they were drowned. The swineherds ran away and reported the incident in the town and throughout the countryside. And people came out to see what had happened.
As they approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind. And they were seized with fear. Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happened to the possessed man and to the swine. Then they began to beg him to leave their district. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead,
“Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.”
Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.
Imagine Christ having done that in a community of pig farmers? They wouldn’t have been happy. And whilst pigs can’t fly, they certainly can swim. So the literal story must not be the whole story. I read this conmmentary about today’s reading in https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/gerasene-demoniac/commentary-on-mark-51-20 : “God’s kingdom in Mark’s gospel comes with power, power to do things that humans can not do on their own. “ When it is expressed that way, all the readings last week make more sense. Literally, they focus on a Jesus flexing his divine muscle. Symbolically, it communicates teh message that with Crist, we can do things that we otherwise could not. The other point made in the commentary is “It transforms and forces humans to perceive the truth that God’s kingdom best takes root in the marginalized, the outcasts, those seemingly most insignificant. This runs counter to human institutions — even most ecclesiastical ones — in which power, wealth, fame, and influence are given pride of place.“ So true. That which is God’s is quite distinct from that which is Caesar’s. We are of this world so choosing Caesar becomes the obvious choice. The Gospels are a reminder to make time and space for God. That needs to be a conscious choice.
ReplyDeleteI find your response to Mark 5:1-20 insightful and thoughtful, particularly your focus on the symbolic interpretations alongside the potential real-world consequences of Jesus' actions. Here are some points I'd like to add to your observations:
DeleteBeyond the Literal:
Symbolic Meanings: Your point about the story not being solely literal is widely shared. The pigs could represent various things, such as the demons themselves, impurities, or the societal fears and anxieties associated with the possessed man. Analyzing these symbolic layers enriches our understanding of the story's deeper message.
Divine Power and Transformation: I agree with the commentary's point about God's kingdom having transformative power. The story can be seen as demonstrating Jesus' ability to heal and liberate not just individuals, but also entire communities and societal structures.
Social Implications:
Marginalization and Power: Your observation about God's kingdom finding root among the marginalized resonates with Jesus' overall message of inclusivity and uplifting the oppressed. It challenges established power structures and emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing those often deemed insignificant.
Caesar vs. God: Comparing God's kingdom to Caesar's highlights the contrasting values they represent. Choosing one over the other requires a conscious decision about where we prioritize our loyalty and actions. The Gospels serve as a reminder to seek God's will in our lives and act accordingly, challenging societal norms and power dynamics when necessary.
Modern-Day Applications:
Interpreting for Today: We can learn from this story by seeking opportunities to support marginalized communities, challenge unjust systems, and offer compassion to those deemed "outsiders." It encourages us to re-evaluate our own priorities and ensure our actions align with Jesus' message of love, justice, and liberation.
Engaging with Scripture: Your approach of considering both literal and symbolic interpretations, seeking insights from various sources, and applying the learnings to modern contexts exemplifies a healthy and productive way to engage with scripture.
Overall, your response to Mark 5:1-20 offers valuable perspectives on interpreting the story beyond the literal, considering its social implications, and applying its message to our own lives. I commend your thoughtful engagement with the text and your commitment to seeking God's will in the world.