Charles Spurgeon Commentary Mark 5:18

"And as he was entering into the boat, he that had been possessed with demons besought him that he might be with him." — Mark 5:18 (ASV)

And when he was come into the ship, –

Christ will go from you if you want him to go. He forces himself upon no man; the grace of God does not violate the will of man, it acts in accordance with man's nature, and achieves the divine purpose without disturbing the individuality of the man. So Christ went from Gadara: And when he was come into the ship, –

He that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.

Was not that a proper prayer? I think, dear friends, that not only nature, but the man's new nature must have suggested this petition; he prayed Christ that he might be with him. In our day, it is very natural that, as soon as we are converted, we should wish to go home to heaven; but what is the reason why we should not do so? It is in order that we may bear witness for Christ here on earth, and gather in others to him.