1 They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. 2 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. 3 He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, 4 for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6 And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. 7 And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” 8 For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” 9 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” 10 And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
When Jesus gets to the other side of the sea He is met by a man who is suffering torment. He was possessed by multiple spirits and lived among the tombs. No one had the strength to bind him, not even with chains because he would just break them apart. All day and all night he wandered among the tombs crying out and cutting himself. His life was hopeless.
When he saw Jesus he ran and fell down to worship him. He is still under the control of the demons as we see by the conversation they had. The demons have recognised Jesus and know they are powerless against Him. They submit in the hope that they can plead their request not to be sent out of the company. During Jesus’ interaction with the man He asks the demon’s name which is where he reveals by the name Legion that they are many (a Roman legion was an army division of six thousand troops).
The man’s life was full of torment and hopelessness but at the mere sight of Jesus, the demons cowered in submission and worship. No matter how hopeless your life may seem, Jesus can and will redeem your situation if you will submit to Him and allow Him to work in your situation.
I was reminded to stay away from anything demonic and to encourgage my friends to do the same because of how dangerous it can be