Possession
24 x 36
Gouache, chalk, pen, pencil and ink on canvas
The story begins in the New Testament Book of Mark, Chapters 4 and 5, and Luke 8, verses 22 through 39.
Jesus has been using a small ship docked at shore as a podium from which to teach the multitudes. When evening comes, he asks to be taken across the lake, to
the country of the Gadarenes. He then retires to the bottom of the ship to catch a nap.
WEATHER WARFARE NO MATCH FOR THE CREATOR
Meanwhile, as the disciples are rowing, a violent storm arises on the lake, and the waves become so high the ship starts to take on water.
Panicking, the disciples wake Jesus—who doesn't seem concerned about the chaos. Jesus simply tells the wind and sea to settle down. As the weather related
phenomena subside, Jesus asks his disciples why they were so fearful, and why their faith was so small.
However, they are so awe-stricken, all they can do is ask each other..."what manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
From heaven did the Lord behold the earth;
To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death...Psalm 102:19-20
NOT YOUR TYPICAL
WELCOMING COMMITTEE
As soon as they reach the shore, a naked man comes racing out to meet them. He has come from the
direction of the tombs, where he lives.
His days and nights are spent wandering around among the dead and in the mountainous wilderness.
He is driven to lacerate himself with stones, and
those bold enough to get within earshot can hear
his tormented cries.
BANISHMENT AS A LAST RESORT
Some men have attempted to bind him with chains, and others have tried a gentler approach of domesticating him—as one would a feral animal—but to no avail.
The otherworldly forces within him enable him to snap chains like twigs, and no man can tame him.