Twitter
RSS
Facebook
ClickBank1

1/26/12 JESUS HEALS A DEMONIAC

1/26/12 JESUS HEALS A DEMONIAC

Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF Thursday, January 26, 2012
Luke 8:26-39                         Key Verses: 30,39

“Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. ….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.”

Dear Jesus Christ, I praise and thank you for your saving grace in my life. I thank you for the gift of being able to start each day coming into your presence to learn more about you and The Way, through your words. I pray that Jenn may lead Fellowship of Christian Athletes well, this morning. I pray that the hospital group Bible study may be very fruitful and edifying. Please bless the upcoming dedication of the Milwaukee UBF church. May the gospel be faithfully preached and followers of Jesus be raised up. Lord, I pray that your word may dwell in my heart. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Part 1: What is your name? (26-31).

Verses 26-31, “They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes,[a] 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.”

Jesus and the disciples landed and were confronted by a horrific sight – a demon possessed man yelling wildly. He was a tortured in his soul. He had lived free of constraints in the tombs, where no one could bother him, but he was miserable. People tried to help him, but were unable. As he rebelled against the truth of God, evil spirits invaded his life.

I don’t think that everybody is demon possessed but I think that all people are harassed by evil spirits. Before meeting Jesus I was harassed by evil spirits. They worked in my heart, making me into a hedonistic young man who lived for “fun”. Like the demoniac I was becoming more and more socially isolated due to my sin. Though I tried to find happiness and peace, I was suffering a lot because of emptiness, meaninglessness, vague feelings of condemnation. I thought I was making a lot of friendships and contacts, but actually I was increasingly alone. I see this is some peoples’ lives, after living a lifetime without Jesus they are all alone and very sad. If they die in that state they will be facing an eternity separated from God. Who could save me from my sin and the lonely, agonizing consequences of my sin? Only Jesus.

Jesus was praying for him. He asked him “What is your name?” (30). Jesus treated him with respect and initiated a personal relationship with him. The man confessed to his situation. Jesus loved him and loves us also. I am thankful for Jesus who really cares about us. When he asks us our name, it means that he cares about our identity. He cares about our history and our life story. I realize that there a few people who actually care about who I am, how I am struggling inside, and my life story. As I get older less and less people actually care. In this world unless one is “productive person” in the world’s eyes, few people truly care. But Jesus cares. Jesus care all about I am going through. He cares all about me. I thank God for this because if he cares, then he is going to go something to free me heart and set me free..

Evil spirits still harass us Christians, utilizing our sinful nature and temptations. But, as Martin Luther, stated, they are like birds that try to nest in our beards. They will try, but we don’t have to let them make their nests. The problem is when we allow them to make their nests. Jesus is our protector. Jesus protects our hearts and keeps our hearts by his grace.

Part 2. Tell how much (32-39).

Verses 32-39, “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.”

Jesus cast out the demons into a herd of pigs, which then committed suicide. Jesus freed the man and gave him peace. The townspeople, however, were full of fear. They lost their economic means because of Jesus’ actions. Their hearts become cold and blind. Not everyone is happy about our conversion. Not everyone was happy with my conversion. They had some investment in the “old Kevin” but when Jesus made me his own, they felt a loss. Some where simply bothered by my changed life. I don’t blame them. They didn’t understand how Jesus was saving me from my headlong path to destruction. I think they can see it now. But there will always be opposition to conversions because we are all tied to other people in one way or another. It never easy to loosen the ties that bind and re-tie them in a different way.

Jesus’ direction to the man was to become a gospel worker to his native people. He would grow strong in the grace and love of Jesus, in independent faith, and as a light to many. Jesus saved me from my sins and is constantly saving me each and every moment from myself and evil spirits. He is my shelter. But now that he has saved me, what should be the “healthy” response? I must return to my people and tell how much the Lord has done for me. Not everyone will agree with what I say about faith matters, but I do have the right to tell what the Lord has done for me. No one can take that from me. Jesus has given me a new heart and mind. He has changed my inner person. He has given me clear direction in life. He has shown me the most fruitful way and the way to eternal life. He has blessed me with complete and overflowing grace and forgiveness, health, a family, a career, a ministry and eternal life. Praise the Lord, I want to spend the next 50 years of my life (if I last that long) telling my people how much the Lord has done for me.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for freeing me from Satan’s grip. Thank you for respecting my life and caring. Help me go and tell how much you have done for me.

One Word: How much Jesus has done for me!




Interact with us using Facebook

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.