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- Lent 2023
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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.
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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.