Luke 8:26-39
26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.
27 And when He stepped out onto the land, a man from the city met Him who was possessed with demons; and he had not put on clothing for a long time and was not living in a house, but among the tombs.
28 And seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell down before Him, and said with a loud voice, “What business do You have with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!”
29 For He had already commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, and yet he would break the restraints and be driven by the demon into the desert.
30 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; because many demons had entered him.
31 And they were begging Him not to command them to go away into the abyss.
32 Now there was a herd of many pigs feeding there on the mountain; and the demons begged Him to permit them to enter the pigs. And He gave them permission.
33 And the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.
34 Now when the herdsmen saw what had happened, they ran away and reported everything in the city, and in the country.
35 And the people came out to see what had happened; and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened.
36 Those who had seen everything reported to them how the man who had been demon-possessed had been made well.
37 And all the people of the territory of the Gerasenes and the surrounding region asked Him to leave them, because they were overwhelmed by great fear; and He got into a boat and returned.
38 But the man from whom the demons had gone out was begging Him that he might accompany Him; but Jesus sent him away, saying,
39 “Return to your home and describe what great things God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city what great things Jesus had done for him.
Casting Out Many Demons (Legion)
Jesus searches for one person
Jesus is the One who goes after a single sheep no matter how far it may wander. In this passage as well, we see that Jesus crossed to the other side for the purpose of setting one man free. I believe that evil spirits truly exist. At the same time, the image of this man possessed by many demons (for “legion” referred to a Roman military unit of about 6000 soldiers) also symbolizes the miserable condition of a person who chooses to live turned away from God. He was (1) a man whose personality was destroyed, (2) violent and self-destructive, and (3) hopeless. He made his dwelling among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, the demons reacted: “What business do You have with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” It was not because He did not know, but in order to draw out the man’s confession and to show the disciples around Him the seriousness of this man’s bondage. The man answered, “Legion.” I am deeply moved by his response. Though his personality had been destroyed, he still knew that he was not in his true state. Confessing one’s present state (sin) is the first step toward freedom. Jesus is asking you, “What is your name?” How will you answer?
Two responses
There were two responses to Jesus. The people of that region asked Jesus to leave them. (1) Because they suffered a great economic loss as about 2000 pigs drowned. For Jesus, it goes without saying which was more valuable: the life of this man or the herd of pigs. (2) Because they were struck with spiritual fear. The region of the Gerasenes was Gentile territory. It is highly likely that the drowned pigs had been intended as offerings to idols. Those bound by idol worship tend to avoid the light of God. On the other hand, the man who had been set free from the demons, now in his right mind (having regained himself), kept begging to go with Him. But Jesus commanded him to return home and bear witness. This was Gentile territory. If he did not proclaim it, no one there would have had the chance to hear the gospel of the kingdom of God. Are there people around you who will have no opportunity to hear the gospel unless you speak? Pray and seek what God is expecting of you.
Today's prayer
Gracious God, before I came to know You, I was like the man possessed by the legion. Please send me into the place of my daily life. Grant me strength and wisdom so that I may proclaim the love of Jesus. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.