Healing of a Demon-Possessed Man

Scripture Reference: Mark 5:1-20 (also Matthew 8:28-34, Luke 8:26-39)

A monologue teaching about freedom and witnessing.

Cast:
DEMONIAC – the Gerasene demoniac after his encounter with Jesus

Costume:
Could be done in street clothes or Bible costume.

Props:
none

(The DEMONIAC enters and begins speaking.)

I have a strange story to tell you. You’ll find it hard to believe, but it’s true. I know it’s true, because it happened to me. I wasn’t always the normal, upstanding man you see before you. I used to be demon possessed. Not by just one or two demons but by a whole legion of demons. I was completely out of control. You can’t imagine what it is like to see yourself doing awful things and not be able to stop it. The people tried to control me, but they couldn’t. They even bound me hand and foot in chains, but I simply broke them. I used to cut myself to try to get the demons out, but it was no use. I cried out night and day. It was agony. I wound up naked and dirty living among the tombs out in the dessert outside town. The demons seemed to find comfort in the death and decay of the tombs.

Then one day it all changed. It was late one evening when I was down by the lake. I saw a boat with 13 men arrive. I didn’t know who they were, but the demons did. It was like they were being tortured. One of the men came toward me, no one ever came toward me for any good purpose, but he had such a look of love and compassion. He said, “Come out of this man, you evil spirit!”

The demons convulsed as if in pain and said, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!” They begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.

Well, there were people nearby that were herding pigs, and there was a large herd of pigs feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them."

He said to them “Go!” The sound was awful. I know what it was like when those things were in me and I was crying out. Image a herd of pigs, maybe two thousand of them, squealing in agony. They went crazy and headed straight for the cliffs. They ran over the edge and plunged into the lake below where they all drowned. Those who tended the pigs all ran away in fear.

I was free! I was free! It had been so long since I felt normal. I didn’t know what to do or say at first. Jesus’ disciples found some clothes for me, and I just sat at the feet of Jesus thanking and worshiping Him. When the pig herders returned with the people from the town, they were amazed to see me in my right mind. What happened next astounded me. They asked Jesus to leave! They were afraid, and they pleaded with Jesus to go away. I couldn’t believe it. So Jesus and His disciples got back in the boat to leave, and I asked Him to take me with them. He wouldn’t let me. He said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

And that is what I have been doing. I tell everyone I meet how Jesus set me free. That is why I am telling you my story now. Do you have a story of how Jesus set you free? Are you telling your story to others?

(Pauses and exits.)