Fast

Luke 8:26-39 (The Message)

(Note from Adam: It's a fairly long passage today. Get quiet. Take just a moment, and really read it at a deep level...hear and feel it, and see it and enter into it...it's worth it.)

They sailed on to the country of the Gerasenes, directly opposite Galilee. As he stepped out onto land, a madman from town met him; he was a victim of demons.

He hadn't worn clothes for a long time, nor lived at home; he lived in the cemetery.

When he saw Jesus he screamed, fell before him, and bellowed,

"What business do you have messing with me? You're Jesus, Son of the High God, but don't give me a hard time!" (The man said this because Jesus had started to order the unclean spirit out of him.)

Time after time the demon threw the man into convulsions. He had been placed under constant guard and tied with chains and shackles, but crazed and driven wild by the demon, he would shatter the bonds.

Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"

"Mob. My name is Mob," he said, because many demons afflicted him. And they begged Jesus desperately not to order them to the bottomless pit.

A large herd of pigs was browsing and rooting on a nearby hill. The demons begged Jesus to order them into the pigs.

He gave the order.

It was even worse for the pigs than for the man. Crazed, they stampeded over a cliff into the lake and drowned.

Those tending the pigs, scared to death, bolted and told their story in town and country. People went out to see what had happened.

They came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had been sent, sitting there at Jesus' feet, wearing decent clothes and making sense.

It was a holy moment, and for a short time they were more reverent than curious. Then those who had seen it happen told how the demoniac had been saved.

Later, a great many people from the Gerasene countryside got together and asked Jesus to leave—too much change, too fast, and they were scared.

So Jesus got back in the boat and set off. The man whom he had delivered from the demons asked to go with him, but he sent him back, saying, "Go home and tell everything God did in you."

So he went back and preached all over town everything Jesus had done in him.

A man had been driven insane by demons. He was naked, living in a cemetery, shackled and desperate. He was cast out of society, and he's just plain scary.

This man was healed by Jesus. There were many witnesses, both to the actual act of his healing, and to his disposition in its aftermath.

There he is...dressed, sane, and making sense.

And then, "later...a great many people...got together and asked Jesus to leave."

What?

Why?

"They were scared."

Of a sane man, with a thankful heart, who had been restored to life and health?

Well...yes. And no.

Perhaps they weren't afraid of him after his healing, but the power of God made known in their presence was more than they were prepared to receive. They didn't want to do the work of understanding, or of receiving...they just wanted things back to "normal."

What power does "normal" have in our lives? How can the gravitational pull of "normal" cause us to drive Jesus out of our hearts?

The former "demoniac" went home and became a preacher. He told his story. We don't know who listened, or what lives were changed.

But we do know that he decided not to be afraid.

Sometimes, many times, we're afraid of what we don't understand. Maybe we'd rather have our demoniacs locked up in the cemetery. When they're clean, redeemed, and asking if we'd like to sit down for a cup of coffee...what do we do then?

Learn to embrace the mystery and power of Jesus Christ. It's the very same grace that saves us all.

Prayer: Father, teach us to embrace the redeemed and admit our own needs. We know that you hear our prayers, and can calm all our fears. Open us to something new...no matter how fast it comes.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all creatures here below. Praise him above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.