Day 227: The man with demons – Luke 8 vs 26 – 39

26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. 29 (For many a time 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 desert.)  30 Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”, for many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. 32-34 Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. 

35 Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and 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. 36-37 And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. 38-39  The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and  declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him. Luke 8:26-39 English Standard Version.

When people speak today of someone's 'demons' they usually mean the bad memories or strong addictions that are destroying that person's life. But the gospels teach that real demons exist. They are spiritual beings who rebelled against God and delight in deceiving people. And, as we see in this incident, they can even enter into a person and possess them. Verses 27 & 29 show the devastating affects such demonic possession can have on a person. But, powerful as they are, where do demons stand in relation to Christ? (vs 28 & 31)

They know full well that Jesus is Lord over them and that their destiny is in his hands. I suspect this is why we find that in nations where the gospel was more widely received, so the power and activity of demons diminished. The 'abyss' is the word used for the spiritual 'prison' where demons can be put by God until the day of final judgement. These particular demons had made this poor man to live in a graveyard among the tombs, but now they begged Jesus to not make them do the same. Once again we see the authority and power of Jesus over the forces of Satan.

But the most surprising thing for me is the reaction of the people living in that district to this amazing miracle. I'm sure this demon possessed man was well known in the region. Most people would've been afraid to go anywhere near him. But in what condition did they find him when they went to see him after hearing of the incident from the pig keepers? (vs 35)

What a beautiful picture that is of when a totally broken life is restored by Jesus. Yet it seems that there are people who would rather run from the power of Jesus' words and the peace of his love, than to kneel before him and receive him into their lives. It shows how strong Satan's deceptions in the world can be. Verses 38-39 are another lovely picture – this time of what those whose lives have been restored by Jesus can do.

Your experience of Christ is probably not anywhere near as dramatic as this man's was. But it is just as radical. If Jesus has made your life whole then it should be a joy to tell others of what he has done for you..