"Otherism" in the Gospels: Mark 5:1-20 by Tamice Namae

Jesus arrives in the largely gentile region of the Gerasenes after revealing to his disciples his ability to command creation by speaking peace to a storm. Upon exiting the boat, he is met by a man who is demon possessed so severely in fact, that he terrorizes the locals and sports self-inflicted wounds and mutilation. This man who has lived among the tombs was so severely possessed that no one was strong enough to subdue him and Mark paints a convincing narrative picture for us of the divine identity of Jesus as the one who is sovereign over all creation and has the highest authority over unclean spirits.

Resting in between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea the land of the Gerasenes lies in a well-watered valley with a perennial stream running through the middle of it and its wealth was probably derived from the cultivation of the fertile corn lands to the east of it. This location was prime for the events of that day for three main reasons. First, Jesus reveals Himself as the highe…