Luke 8 26 They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes,[b] which is across the lake from Galilee. 27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29 For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.30 Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”“Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31 And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.32 A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. 33 When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.34 When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, 35 and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 36 Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. 37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.38 The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.
How about playing a little imagination game with me today? This is actually an exercise for reading the Bible that we used in my Spiritual Direction classes. It is Biblical Imagination.
So instead of just reading this story of healing, let’s put ourselves into it. Let’s pretend we were part of the narrative.
The question would be, who are you in this story? In reality our feelings about ourselves and where we are in our spiritual journey change daily. So you might feel more like one actor in this play today and tomorrow it all changes. The beauty of having the Living Word of God in our hands is that that is how it was written. So that God can talk to us in different ways on different days.
But back to our game. Who are you in this story today? And if you say you are one of the pigs, let’s talk after service!
There are in fact several actors in this narrative. It is interesting to me that the disciples are nowhere to be found. Just before this encounter they had been on a wild boat ride. A storm had come up and they woke Jesus up in a panic. He of course calmed the storm. So perhaps they were busy cleaning the boat. Or perhaps Luke simply told the story as he had been told and no one mentioned the disciples. Maybe they were just on the side watching.
And maybe that is exactly where you are today. You feel like you are on the sidelines watching God work. Or perhaps you are preoccupied with some task. If it is you, how does that make you feel? If you’ve been through a storm catching your breath my be wise.
Just know, there is much to see and learn and there is more story to come. God hasn’t left you out!
Or do you feel more like the poor demon possessed man in this story who has found himself troubled, frightened, distraught, overwhelmed?
I would ask you to not get hung up on the demons. I would prefer to not do a theological discussion on demons and devils. I would rather focus on how this story may be speaking to each of us. That is really what Jesus is all about. Reaching out to us in love.
So having set that piece aside, there are many things in our lives, in our hearts that can torture us and leave us wanting to act out or run and hide. Things like guilt, shame, self condemnation, low self esteem. Feeling worthless is down right demonic because it is a lie.
Fear is another type of demon. It shuts us down and makes us unable to move forward. We might be afraid of losing our job, our home, or for those of us facing aging, our ability to think and take care of ourselves.
And of course there are addictions of all kinds. Things that steal our time, our energy, our resources and yet we can’t find freedom from them.
If this is you, then this healing is yours. Jesus is the healer who listens. He asks you to name the storm that is raging in your soul. And when you name it, confess it out loud, you give Jesus the power over it. This isn’t about knowing the right prayer, belonging to the right church, or sending your money to the right person. No, this is simply about giving Jesus the power over what rages within. I say simply, but I know it is not easy. Just begin by naming it.
There is a wonderful quote in the book of James that we rarely talk about but if we think about it carefully, it is powerful.
“Therefore confess your faults (name them) to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
And if this is you also notice that, once healed, Jesus sends you home to tell everyone what God has done. No theological education necessary. Just go tell what God has done for you.
Sometimes we might even find ourselves being frightened by what we see happening. Is God moving and changing things in life? That can be scary. And truth be told, often we are asked to let go of something when that happens.
The townspeople lost their livelihood that day. They could not see that God was moving, healing, changing the way things had always been. All they could see was what they had lost. Sometimes it feels that way in the church. What if God is moving and creating something new and all we can see is that we are losing what always has been?
Perhaps that job has to go so new and more fruitful things could happen. Or perhaps the injury or illness has allowed us more time to look for God in our life. Please know, I am not saying that God made you ill, took your job, or emptied the pews but rather that through Jesus, God can and will use it.
There are many more examples but how about naming your own?
And If this is you then know that God is putting someone in your midst who would tell you all that God has done and is doing. Someone who will understand how scary it all seems.
And finally, you may be the messenger for God’s healing grace. Yes, you may find that today you are Jesus’ hands and feet and mouthpiece. Then notice what Jesus does. He stops and talks to the one being tormented. He asks the person to name what is within. And he listens without condemnation.
Perhaps, today, you are the healer who must pray for the one who has confessed, named those things hidden within. If this is you, then God bless you. We need you to be who you are called to be in this moment. Do not be afraid. You have the same Holy Spirit that Jesus walked this earth with.
Who are you in this story? What is the Holy Spirit saying to your soul? How will you respond? That is your part of the story.
Finally, no matter who you are in this story there is one more thing we must take with us. Jesus calmed the storm on the lake for the disciples and Jesus calmed the storm within this man. God’s power is always greater than anything raging within or around your life. No evil, no demonic manifestation is greater than the power of God’s love for you.
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