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.” vs. 27
Luke 8:26-34
We’re not told why Jesus wanted to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. This was Gentile territory and the people who lived there had no special connection to the Jews. He may have simply wanted to demonstrate that his ministry was inclusive, and that he didn’t want to leave anyone out. But Luke tells us that when he came ashore, he got quite a greeting from a man described as a demoniac. We know what that is like! While labels for mental illness have changed, we regularly meet people living in the streets who frankly scare the liver out of us. Sometimes they’re talking incoherently and often they’re dressed in ragged dirty clothing. In Jesus’ day they were thought to be possessed by demons–and we can understand why. But Jesus didn’t fear the demoniac–in fact we are told the demon was afraid of him! Jesus asks his name and commands the demons to come out. The bit of bargaining that takes place seems strange and we don’t understand why the herd of swine had to be drowned, but the point is that the man was transformed, and the image of God was restored. Sometimes our mission in Christ will take us to uncomfortable places and we may be asked to do scary things. And occasionally we will even see some remarkable healings!
Thought for the Day: What is an exorcism?
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