Luke 8:26-39 A Demon-Possessed Man Healed
“Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, 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. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.
Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?”
And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.
Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.
When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.
Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.”
Without a map of the Sea of Galilee, these place names can be very confusing. Capernaum and Bethesda, two of the places where Jesus ministers the most, are on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee. This story takes place at Kursa, or Gergesa, on the east shore of the Sea of Galilee. The population here is a mixed one, with some people raising pigs to sell to the Greeks and the Romans, for the Jews want nothing to do with pigs.
It’s interesting that Jesus steps out of the boat precisely at the right spot to meet this demon-possessed man. The disciples are probably muttering things at one another under their breath. “Peter, I thought you knew where you were going! How could you possibly find the one place where we would encounter the local demoniac?” Peter replies, “Well, John, I thought you knew where we were going! What are we going to do now?”
The disciples aren’t going to do anything because Jesus is already out of the boat and is climbing up the shore as the demoniac falls to his knees and begins screaming at him. “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” This poor fellow actually is infested with demons, none of whom want to be ordered to return to the abyss. Jesus allows the demons to enter the huge herd of swine, and the demonized pigs promptly rush off a cliff, drowning in the sea.
The swine herds have already rushed back to town, and when the townspeople arrive, they find the previously demonized man clothed and in his right mind. Now you might think that the townspeople would be grateful to Jesus and invite Jesus and the disciples for a meal. Wrong! The townspeople are terrified and just want Jesus to leave as rapidly as possible. The poor demoniac fears that he will be rejected and begs Jesus to allow him to accompany him. But Jesus has a better idea. Jesus tells the man,“Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.”
Jesus and the disciples get back into the boat and leave for another destination. Meanwhile, the man freed from the demons is rejoicing and telling as many people as possible about Jesus. Eventually, Jesus will return to this area, and next time the townspeople will be thrilled to receive Jesus.
Everything Jesus does is one step closer to Calvary. Here the demons recognize Jesus as the Son of the Most High God. While some Jewish religious leaders refuse to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, the demons know he is. As Jesus moves on, increasing numbers of people will recognize him as he continues to demonstrate powers that only the Son of God can wield.
Perhaps you find yourself in a difficult situation. Some of those with whom you work appear to be demonically influenced. There’s power in the Name of Jesus, and you can call on him for help at any time.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to remember that Your power over evil is always available when we pray. Deliver us from Satan and his wicked schemes and from all those serving him. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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