"Who then is this, that even the wind and sea obey him?" (4:41). It looks like Jesus left the crowd in Capernaum at evening to cross the sea and rest, but no such luck. He calms the sea only to immediately encounter the untamable man. Mark five has been called the chapter of St. Jude, patron saint of lost causes. The Gerasene demoniac, the woman bleeding for twelve years, and Jairus’ dead daughter all experience the hope that is beyond hope, the transforming grace of the storm-stiller. This is the longest of Mark’s exorcisms, and the most detailed among the gospel accounts. It’s also Jesus’ first venture into Gentile territory. We’ll consider the state of the man, the state of the demons, and the state of the witnesses. Mark teaches about Jesus, his mission, and his kingdom.