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.
--Luke 8:38-39 (NKJV)
From the daily Bible reading on July 31, 2013 of Psalm 126; Luke 8:22-39; 2 Chronicles 29-30:12.
Leaving Capernaum for a short time, Jesus wanted to cross over the Sea of Galilee. While under sail, Jesus was napping when a fierce storm sprang up, with waves driven by the winds funneled down to the lake by the valleys leading to it, threatening to overwhelm the boat and all within it. The disciples awoke Jesus in a near panic, fearing for their lives. First Jesus rebuked the storm, and the wind and the seas calmed. Then He rebuked the men, for having so little faith. (Jesus never rebuked anyone for having too much faith!)
Once safe on the side of the sea opposite Galilee, they landed in the region of Gadara where they were immediately met by a wild man - demon-possessed, naked, and so crazed that not even chains could hold him. When he saw Jesus he shouted, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?" (Verse 28.) The demon possessing this man, speaking through him, knew exactly who Jesus was, just as the devil acknowledged Jesus as the Christ when he tempted Him for forty days in the wilderness (please see "Lead Us Not Into Temptation"). Satan and his minions recognized Jesus as the Son of God even though man did not. At least, not yet in our story at any rate. Jesus asked the demon its name and was told "Legion", for there were many. (A Roman Legion was comprised of from 3000 to 6000 soldiers, so this poor man was indeed possessed by many demons!) Jesus ordered the demons out of the man, but at their request sent them into a herd of swine feeding nearby rather than to the great abyss where they belonged (and eventually end up). Upon being possessed themselves, the swine raced down the hill and threw themselves into the sea and drowned. The man, now clothed and calm, the raging sea within him stilled as the Sea of Galilee had been shortly before, really wanted to stay with Jesus, to follow Him. But Jesus had other plans for him, instead sending him home to tell everyone all of what had just happened, and all the great things God had done for him.
Sometimes when we realize how much God has done in our lives and the amazing sacrifice Jesus made for us, we want to just stay with Jesus, to not leave His side. We feel comfortable and comforted there, secure within His arms, knowing we can reach out to Him to calm the storms raging in our lives. This may translate into our spending more and more time in prayer and in our Bibles, or more time at church and with other believers. And this is all good. We should want to do so. But Jesus also wants us to get out of that comfort zone a little and share our own personal salvation story to others who might not yet believe. He wants us to go to our "house", into our community, and tell everyone of all the great things He has done for us. So go now, and spread the Gospel, the Good News, throughout the world, and tell of all the great things Jesus has done. Amen.
Jesus, our Savior, please forgive us when our faith wanes and we cry out for You to calm the storms raging in our lives. Thank You for ridding us of the demons that threatened to overtake us, and for keeping them away. Strengthen us and embolden us, O Lord, to go out into the world and tell others of all the truly great and marvelous things You have done for us. In Your wonderful name, dearest Lord Jesus we pray. Amen.
Once safe on the side of the sea opposite Galilee, they landed in the region of Gadara where they were immediately met by a wild man - demon-possessed, naked, and so crazed that not even chains could hold him. When he saw Jesus he shouted, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?" (Verse 28.) The demon possessing this man, speaking through him, knew exactly who Jesus was, just as the devil acknowledged Jesus as the Christ when he tempted Him for forty days in the wilderness (please see "Lead Us Not Into Temptation"). Satan and his minions recognized Jesus as the Son of God even though man did not. At least, not yet in our story at any rate. Jesus asked the demon its name and was told "Legion", for there were many. (A Roman Legion was comprised of from 3000 to 6000 soldiers, so this poor man was indeed possessed by many demons!) Jesus ordered the demons out of the man, but at their request sent them into a herd of swine feeding nearby rather than to the great abyss where they belonged (and eventually end up). Upon being possessed themselves, the swine raced down the hill and threw themselves into the sea and drowned. The man, now clothed and calm, the raging sea within him stilled as the Sea of Galilee had been shortly before, really wanted to stay with Jesus, to follow Him. But Jesus had other plans for him, instead sending him home to tell everyone all of what had just happened, and all the great things God had done for him.
Sometimes when we realize how much God has done in our lives and the amazing sacrifice Jesus made for us, we want to just stay with Jesus, to not leave His side. We feel comfortable and comforted there, secure within His arms, knowing we can reach out to Him to calm the storms raging in our lives. This may translate into our spending more and more time in prayer and in our Bibles, or more time at church and with other believers. And this is all good. We should want to do so. But Jesus also wants us to get out of that comfort zone a little and share our own personal salvation story to others who might not yet believe. He wants us to go to our "house", into our community, and tell everyone of all the great things He has done for us. So go now, and spread the Gospel, the Good News, throughout the world, and tell of all the great things Jesus has done. Amen.
Jesus, our Savior, please forgive us when our faith wanes and we cry out for You to calm the storms raging in our lives. Thank You for ridding us of the demons that threatened to overtake us, and for keeping them away. Strengthen us and embolden us, O Lord, to go out into the world and tell others of all the truly great and marvelous things You have done for us. In Your wonderful name, dearest Lord Jesus we pray. Amen.
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