Scripture Reading(s)
Luke 8:26-39
8:26 Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.
8:27 As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs.
8:28 When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me”–
8:29 for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.)
8:30 Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him.
8:31 They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss.
8:32 Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission.
8:33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.
8:34 When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country.
8:35 Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.
8:36 Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed.
8:37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned.
8:38 The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying,
8:39 “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.
Reflections
What a powerful and profound display of God’s authority and love over all things. The demons had to ask Jesus for permission to enter into the pigs because they knew it was only under His authority that they could do this.
Jesus at one word can bring change to our lives or circumstances in ways that we could never imagine. Looking at the life of this demon possessed man, there was no hope for him. He was an outcast, a man who had been chained like a caged animal because of how wild and dangerous he could be. From the outside view, this man was so far gone that there was no saving him. It is at that moment of utter hopelessness that we see Christ coming in and making what is a horrible situation into something for our good and His Glory.
This man was saved from being possessed brought back his sanity and a reason to live. He could go on being a normal citizen. Get a job, join his family, his friends, his community. His life was given back to him but more then that He experienced the powerful hand of God at work and on full display. He became a testimony to what God can do in the impossible situation. He reflected that only God has the final say in our lives and only God can save. Furthermore, he reflected that there is no one that is so far gone outside of God’s saving hand of Grace.
No matter what you’re facing today, look to this passage as an example of how powerful and loving God can be. His authority and Grace knows no limits. He is able to reach into the darkest of hearts and display His light that will shine brighter then anything this world has ever seen. Take heart in knowing that if you have sinned, God’s Grace forgives. If you are facing a situation that seems like only a real life miracle needs to take place, let God show you the possible in the impossible. No matter what you are going through, God’s hand is strong enough to save and bring good to our lives and be used to give Glory back to Him.
This man’s response reflected the good in his life and God’s glory. He praised God and went back and told all of what God has done for Him. Let us also have the same response when we see God’s hand at work in our own lives.
Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me
Oh Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You
Lyrics by: Sovereign Grace