Day 37

Luke 8:26–39 (NIV)

²⁶ They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, 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 evil 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 him 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 them, 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.

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

Look at the differences in how people's reaction to fear plays in the storm story and this story. What do you do when you see God in your midst?

Look at how different the begging was from the demons compared to the man healed. Notice how the man's falling at Jesus' feet changed in the story. What do you take from those differences?

Jesus doesn't try to silence the demons from telling people who he is. What has changed since Luke 4:33-35?

Jesus power is being displayed for all to see

Notes

This region is where the Greek and Jewish cultures begin to mix. It is interesting that Jesus wants to go here. Does this trip foreshadow the ministry to Gentiles?

Demon Possessed Man- this description shows one who has totally lost ability to be in society. So crazed by the evil spirit that he could get out of chains. No clothes, living among the tombs both signs of totally unclean person in Jewish standards. Behavior to point driven to solitary places. Is this a metaphor of what happens to anyone who gives in to total depravity. The Outcome is you are alone without hope (think of the prodigal son (Luke 15:14-17)

vs 30 Legion - name if idea of many demons (legion in military was 4000 to 6000 Men)

vs 31 Views of Jesus power- Demons have no hope of conquering Jesus. They beg not to be put in the Abyss (the place of punishment Rev 20:3) Notice the amount of begging 28, 31, 32

Also interesting that Jesus doesn't tell them to be quiet anymore about who He is like he did in Luke 4:35. Now Ok for people to know?

Went into pigs- pigs unclean animal to Jews, not allowed to be used. Therefore see the Gentile influence in area since such a large herd of pigs.

35-37 When story told to town we see a different reaction to Jesus than before. They are afraid (not new) but also they want Him to leave. The fear overcame the good news. They didn't want to change. Didn't want to hear-(the path soil)

-Now the man who everyone avoided is cured and in right relationship with God (the good soil) and the people are the ones choosing evil over good. If this man can be changed then anyone can!

vs 35b , 38- Interesting that now the changed man begs Jesus (compared to earlier when controlled by demons) to go with Him.

Jesus tells the man your mission is to be the messenger for your people Tell how much God has done for you. The man will be the seed of God to his community that has rejected Jesus. Being a missionary where you are at!