Pastor Nam Park.
CS. Lewis writes: "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight."
- We don't plan to run into demons, but scripture tells us that these things exist. Throughout church history, demonic activity is concentrated in the gospel accounts. Why? A: Because Jesus became God-incarnate.
- Let's not fall into the error that they don't exist today.
- How would we react if we were there to see this story unfold?
- The focus isn't on the demons, but on the Master that can control these demons.
- He is Lord over storms, Lord over demons, Lord over death itself. He is the absolute Lord over everything we see, touch, beyond all things that humans want to control (weather, disease, death, etc).
The Demoniac Cured
Luke 8:26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 And when He came out onto the land, He was met by a man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs. 28 Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.” 29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, and yet he would break his bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert. 30 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. 31 They were imploring Him not to command them to go away into the abyss.
32 Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain; and the demons implored Him to permit them to enter the swine. And He gave them permission. 33 And the demons came out of the man and entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.
34 When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they ran away and reported it in the city and out in the country. 35 The people went out to see what had happened; and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened. 36 Those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was demon-possessed had been made well. 37 And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to leave them, for they were gripped with great fear; and He got into a boat and returned. 38 But the man from whom the demons had gone out was begging Him that he might accompany Him; but He sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.
34 When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they ran away and reported it in the city and out in the country. 35 The people went out to see what had happened; and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened. 36 Those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was demon-possessed had been made well. 37 And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to leave them, for they were gripped with great fear; and He got into a boat and returned. 38 But the man from whom the demons had gone out was begging Him that he might accompany Him; but He sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.
Prayer: Help us to live for our Savior, because He deserves it and is compassionate towards us. The Lamb of God, slain on our behalf. May we learn more about Him who has saved our souls today. Amen.
Right on the heals of Jesus calming the storm.
They are fearful of who He is and immediately when they land, they meet a demon possessed man.
Luke 8:25 And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?”
- He's so distressed to have no hope.
- A person that no longer fits under the category of person: "filth."
He falls down prostrate, a position of absolute and full submission.
Full knowledge of Jesus Christ and their sins.
Not bowing of reverence, but more a bowing of forced reality.
Luke 8:28 Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.”
- Statement of fear.
- What must happen now that we are both here?
James 2:19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
- They know who Jesus is, but it doesn't change them.
Luke 8:29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, and yet he would break his bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.
- In order to help this man, they bound him.
- With many men they would beat him, bind him, and then put him under guard. Then the demon drives him into the dessert.
- This is what sin and filth does to an individual.
Why are demons concerned with degrading human life?
- A: Because we're made in the image of God. Killing a mammal feels weird because of the spark of life within them. Animals don't think about purpose of life. As humans, we do think about purpose. Demons are about crushing that "image of God" in you. Demons try to eradicate any semblance of human potential. To act like the animals.
Luke 8:30 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. 31 They were imploring Him not to command them to go away into the abyss.
- "Legion" is used for a grouping of Roman Soldiers.
- The demons kept asking (imploring) that they would not be tossed into the abyss.
- "Abyss" in revelation is related to cells of tormenting.
The parallel account in Matthew.
Matthew 8:29 And they cried out, saying, “What business do we have with each other, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”
- Demons have better theology than we do.
We have the volition to bow willingly.
This man wants to go with Jesus Christ.
We realize that he is just a man, just like us.
And even this disfigured and sorrowful life, is not beyond redemption.
This is the power of the gospel. The power of God in the face of Christ.
