They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 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. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 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!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” Mark 5:1-8
Jesus once again went face to face with a demonic spirit. This one seemed to be more powerful than the others. He had possessed the man for years and was ready to see his death.
Did Jesus get the rest and prayer He needed on the boat after He was disrupted? As he will say elsewhere, these kids of demons can only come out through fasting and prayer.
But Jesus being “prayed up” all the time was ready. Notice the man approached Jesus and not the other disciples. He knew who Jesus was even though they had never met before.
Quick primer: Demon possession and demonic oppression are very real even in our society. Obviously possession is much more real and in your face, whereas oppression is the overall sense that something isn’t right. For example, ever notice that arguing heats up on a Sunday morning before heading off to church? That’s clearly oppression because the principalities do not want you to have a fulfilling worship experience. Possession, on the other hand, is much stronger. A demon possessed person lays into on a Christian for the lamest of reasons and continues until restrained. It’s very obvious to the Christian what is going on.
As mentioned, oppression is much more subtle and insidious than possession. It’s therefore just as dangerous because it can happen any time and in any place. Recognize it for what it is early to pray and combat against it.