Luke 8, Part 4

Scripture: Luke 8:26-39

Observation: The healing of the demoniac at Gerasenes. Jesus meets up with a man so filled with demons he's known as Legion. The man was naked and lived among the tombs. The demons recognize Jesus as the Son of God, and beg Him not to send them into the Abyss. Jesus gives them permission to enter into the bodies of pigs. The pigs then commit suicide by running over a cliff into a lake where they drowned. The swineherders tell the townspeople who, terrified, ask Jesus to leave. The healed man wants to join Jesus, but instead the Lord tells him to proclaim what God has done for him.

Application: Several things can be learned here: 1 - There are very many evil spirits. A legion was a military unit of 6,000, and they were ready for battle. 2 - They know how to terrorize us. This man ran around naked among the tombs - who would go near him? 3 - They are unruly because they are under satan's government, unlike Jesus' followers who are governed by love. 4 - They dread and are horrified by Jesus and dread hell as a place of torment. And 5 - They are under the check and control of Jesus - and they know it.

Prayer: Father, how I can appreciate my freedom in You! Those that are against You know only fear and terror, but we who choose to serve You know we have nothing to fear, because we serve and are protected by Almighty God! At Your feet I know I'm totally safe. At Your feet is where I want to be all of my days. In Christ Jesus I pray, Amen.