◄ What Does Luke 8:39 Mean? ►

The Lord Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He came to restore man's broken relationship with God and redeem man's soul from death. He had just astonished His disciples by telling them that physical birth and human ties are not as important as our relationship with God: "My mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it," was Christ's astonishing revelation to His followers earlier that day.

They believed in God, but were also to believe on Jesus Who came to save His people from their sin. He wanted to strengthen their faith in Him and also to explain the depth of responsibility that rests on those who hear the gospel and believe in Him. Christ illustrated this truth in a wonderful way by setting off to the far side of the Galilee, in a little fishing boat.

The first incident happened when a fierce tempest started to rage around them, and Jesus was asleep! His disciples were seasoned fishermen and well-equipped to steady the little storm-tossed craft, but the tempest was so intense that they feared for their lives. However, the Lord simply woke up and commanded the winds and waves to be still.

By demonstrating to the disciples His almighty power over the elements, Jesus wanted to establish their hope and trust in Him, no matter what situation they might have to face. But the lesson was by no means over, for when they reached the other side of the lake, there was a demon-possessed man waiting for them on the shore. He lived among the tombs, shunned society, would tear his clothes from his body, behaved violently towards others, and had become a real cause of concern to the people around.

Seeing Jesus coming ashore, the man cried out, fell down before Him, and said in a loud voice: "What business do we have to do with us, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me." James tells us that demons know perfectly well Who Jesus is and shudder at His presence. This man immediately knew Who Christ was and correctly addressed Him as: "Jesus, Son of the Most High God!"

In the presence of the Son of the Almighty, the demon, who was called Legion, caused the man to thrash about savagely, breaking the chains that were restraining him. Legion was in fact multiple demons who had enslaved this man for many years. Not only did these demons recognise the Person and Office of Jesus, but knew His mission was to send them to their doom and pleaded: "I beg You, do not torment me."

The almighty strength of the Son of Man far outstripped the power of Legion, but it would be His death and Resurrection that would gain the full and final victory over Satan and the evil principalities, powers, demons, and devils that had enslaved man since the fall. Only Christ's shed blood would be sufficient to cast off the chains of darkness these demons possessed over the fallen race of man.

They begged to be allowed to indwell a great herd of pigs that were grazing nearby. At His word, the demons entered the animals who stampeded into the sea and were drowned: "You believe in God, believe also in Me," was the lesson that was being learned that day, not only by the disciples but also the man who had been released from his torment. Having been returned to his right mind, the man believed on Christ immediately and begged the Lord Jesus to let him join His band of astonished disciples who had just witnessed this amazing event.

Jesus had other plans for this man. Indeed, he was to be the first person to shed abroad the truth about Jesus in that region: "Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you." he was told. It would be some time later that Peter would make his great proclamation: "You are the Son of the Living God," and yet this man learnt this lesson on the day he was freed from the influence of Legion.

And so we read: "He went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him." God has done mighty works in the life of all believers, for all who have been saved by grace through faith in Him have been forgiven of sin and received everlasting life as a free gift of God's amazing grace. May we be ready and willing to tell others what Jesus has done for us in the place where we live.

Heavenly Father, how I praise and thank You for the great things You have done for me and for the wonderful work Christ did on the Cross of Calvary. My soul praises You, O Lord, for all the benefits I have received at Your hand. You have forgiven me all my sin and healed all my diseases. You have redeemed my life from the pit of hell and set my feet on the road of righteousness. I pray that I may be ready and willing to proclaim Your mighty works to the people I meet, and that many would be released from the curse of sin and the chains of death. Thank You, in Jesus' name, AMEN.