They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”

When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
Mark 5:1-8, 15-20

Unlikely Freedom

Here we find a hopeless, helpless man, tormented by demons. His suffering was so severe, he couldn’t enjoy any sense of normality. He had made his home in the tombs. He was an outcast, a crazed lunatic, a horrific sight to witness! Nobody knew how to help him. The only recourse was containment!

People tried to contain him. No, not help him, but contain him with chains. He tore the physical chains, but the chains of demonic torture couldn’t be broken. He often tore the physical chains off his hands, but remained bound by the tormenting chains of his mind. He often tore the physical chains off his feet, but remained a prisoner of the strongholds of the enemy. He was bound with no hint of freedom; and the torment was taking its toll!

His nights and days were filled with crying. He knew he was bound; yet, all he could do was cry in misery. The pain was so intense and lonely; in his desperation he began to cut himself. He created outward pain trying to escape the internal pain.

However, the good news was Jesus showed up! When Jesus showed up, things had to change. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom,” (2 Corinthians 3:17, NIV). The demons that had continuously inflicted this man with pain, were no match for the Almighty! Jesus casted the demons out and the man was free and found sitting in his right mind.

He experienced Unlikely Freedom! It seemed his fate would always be amongst the tombs, amongst the dead, amongst the bound, but Unlikely Freedom had come for him! It seemed his fate would always be pain and torment, but Unlikely Freedom had been granted to him!

The good news, is you too, can experience that Unlikely Freedom. The same Jesus who went to the region of the Gadarenes with an assignment to bring freedom to that bound man, offers the same deliverance, healing, and freedom today. Jesus is willing to free you from the grips of Satan. Hebrews 11:6 declares, He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. So today, I encourage you to call out to Jesus with your deepest pain, and watch Him move on your behalf! Open up to Him in prayer, cry out to Jesus; He is touched by the infirmities of his people! Get ready to experience Unlikely Freedom from whatever has you bound, get ready to experience Unlikely Freedom from whatever is tormenting you, get ready to experience Unlikely Freedom from whatever is causing you sleepless nights.

As you embark upon your Unlikely Freedom, just know there is more to the story. This man went from Unlikely Freedom to an Unlikely Assignment! After Jesus healed the man, it was time for Jesus to keep going on to his next assignment. It should come as no surprise, that this man now wanted to go with Jesus. Of course, he wanted to go with Jesus. Jesus had just changed his whole life! However, what is surprising, is Jesus’ response. Jesus doesn’t invite the man into the boat to travel with Him. Jesus literally sends the man away. Yet, He sends him away with clear instructions, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

Jesus gave him an Unlikely Assignment. Now the one who had been bound, had the assignment to spread the gospel, so others could be loosed. He shared his testimony of what Jesus Christ had done for him; and as a result, “all the people were amazed.”

Yes, you too, have an Unlikely Assignment! As He breaks your chains and grants you Unlikely Freedom boldly perform your Unlikely Assignment. Jesus has given you a cross to take up, a cross to carry! Take up your cross by being a witness to your family, your community, your neighbors, your co-workers about a God who can offer Unlikely Freedom to anyone!