Even Demons Recognize Jesus!

June 19, 2022 4 Comments

Even Demons Recognize Jesus

Even Demons Recognize Jesus!

By Brooke Holt

“Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, ‘What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.’” (Luke 8:26-28)

Jesus and the disciples have just completed an intense boat ride! That particular night a storm raged so fiercely that the seasoned fishermen were scared for their lives. While fear filled the disciples, Jesus slept soundly. That is until those frightened disciples awoke Jesus with the words, “Master, Master, we are perishing” (Luke 8:24). While shaking off his slumber, Jesus rebuked the wind and waves, and all was still around them. Fear was still present but not of the storm. The disciples were overwhelmed and filled with fear of this man who could even control a storm.

That fear of Jesus and his power will continue throughout the Gospel of Luke. In our reading for today, it is not the disciples who are frightened of Jesus but demons. As Jesus and his entourage come onto land, in the country of the Gerasenes, there is a man well-known to everyone as the demoniac. He lived among the tombs, wore no clothes, and was known to yell and scream throughout the day and night. Everyone not only knew of the demoniac but also greatly feared him!

As Jesus walks toward this demoniac, he begins to cry out and even falls on the ground before Jesus. Instead of threatening Jesus, the demoniac questions Jesus—what is his plan for this man and more pointedly, for those demons living within this man? Where once these demons held great power not only over the man they occupied but also over the entire region, there was now a greater power in their presence.

These seemingly all-powerful demons had to bow to an authority higher than themselves. Even the demons recognize and submit to Jesus! On the boat, after Jesus calmed the storm, the disciples asked: “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” (Luke 8:25) The demons answer that question, “Jesus, Son of the Most High God” (verse 28). They know exactly who Jesus is, and they know Jesus has authority over them.

What about you? Do you daily recognize Jesus is the Son of God, the only one who can rightly sit upon the throne in heaven and in your heart? Do you surrender to his authority over your life daily, seeking to obey him in all things? While the demons recognized and even had to bow, they did not receive all the blessings that come from a truly surrendered life. May you recognize, gladly submit, and receive all those blessings today!

Reflection:

Have you considered that when the Scripture says every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, even the demons and Satan himself will bow and confess this truth? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Related Resource:

The Resurrected Life: Making All Things New - The Bible promises that those who are in Christ are "new creatures." But how does that transformation take place? This unique Easter-season small group Bible study provides a space in which we can discover what it truly means to live a new life. As we listen, we'll learn how the resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything - for us. Begin the journey to new life today!

Devotional The Resurrected Life

4 Responses

Catherine Haskin

September 16, 2023

Look at todays modern Church. The modern day Church does not know God ( King Jesus). Every Church has a different belief. The devil has taken over Gods Church and hatred, politics and money ( as my ok’d grand mother use to say) theory ran God out His Church and chunked His Word ( the Bible behind him. That’s why so- called children if God hate one another, tell u who to vote for ( and put back n office. Side with wrong and calll wrong right. Yet we all going to heaven and sing and shout the victory when the death angel comes for us. As a new/old believer this is confusing. God is NOT the author of this modern day confusion. Some body please help a sista out

Manuel

September 12, 2023

When God created the humans he gave them/us the full authority and right to rule it, when we chose to listen and obey the Serpent’s voice all that autorithy was transfered to him. Now the thing is that God doesn’t forcefully busts in the mess we make, if he said something he doesn’t go over his word, in this case he said ,,to you I have given the earth” . The solution to this problem was that we needed a perfect sinless man to fight the devil on earth and take back the authorty that he we lost and he cunningly usurped. That ,,stronger man’’ was no other but the Son of Man, Jesus, God himself incarnate, that came into the ,,strong man’s house tied him and robbed him”. God had to become man jn irder to destroy the devil ( see Hebrews 2:14-15). So yes, the demons were fearing the Man-God because they knew that now being in human form he has all the authority on earth to do as he pleases including to cast them out of their dwelling place ! And guess what, after his resurrection Jesus shares that supreme authority with his followers, God’s children, his brothers and sisters !

Randy Heinzman

March 28, 2023

Demons are not created as demons but as angels who rebelled against the Lord. As angels they would have rejoiced and worshipped before the throne of the Lord God (Rev 7:11). You could say they had a “history” with God – as spiritual beings they knew and trembled as there is no redemption for them – only the judgement of God. James can say in 2:19 “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” Not knowing the time of their judgement, not knowing the plan of God in Jesus Christ (why he was there) – they could well have thought their time of judgement had come.

Linda Triplitt

October 08, 2022

WHY didn’t crowds know who Jesus was yet the demons Jesus called out did know exactly. I’ve heard all sorts of answers but
none of them were actually hearing the question in its simplest form. Please tell me if you can be exact. Most just say its because his time was not yet. That is not the question.

Comments will be approved before showing up.