Luke 8:26-39 (NRSV)
Read Luke 8:26-39 on biblegateway.com
Verse 26Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. Verse 27As 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. Verse 28When 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"- Verse 29for 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.) Verse 30Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" He said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. Verse 31They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss. Verse 32Now 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. Verse 33Then 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. Verse 34When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Verse 35Then 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. Verse 36Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. Verse 37Then 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. Verse 38The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, Verse 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.
Devotion
Pam said after being diagnosed with cancer, "I have an alien inside of me. I'm afraid. I'm not in control. Get it out of me!"
This is another example of our body, ourselves, being possessed and hungering for the healing power of faith to cleanse us and to make us well and whole. Sometimes it is beneficial to slow down, to quiet ourselves and look within to see what our priorities are, and see the direction of our life as we try to sense the calling that drives us and pulls us forward. When we are honest, we may sense the pull of money, clothes, food, the need to be right, the need to have power over others.
Just as Jesus crossed the Sea to the other side, he crosses over to wherever we are to meet us there and heal us. Jesus offers us an assurance that we are valuable and precious. We are sent home to mediate on the gift of grace and to share the good news.
Prayer
God, we often want healing and we want it now. Help us to know that we do not wrestle with our demons alone; you come to our hearts with patience and hope. Amen.