The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.
LUKE 8:38–39
He spotted Him climbing out of the boat. What was He doing in Gerasenes? What could He want? This could only mean trouble. He looked down at his naked, wretched body. For a long time he had been homeless and living among the burial caves outside of town. The people had given up on trying to restrain him. He always snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. He smirked inside. He was stronger than all of them. Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones. The townspeople could do nothing about it. They were too afraid of him. This was his territory and he controlled it. Now Jesus was here to ruin it all.
Shrieking at the top of his lungs, he ran down to meet Jesus and fell down in front of him. Then he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don’t torture me!” Jesus had already spoken to the evil spirits that controlled him and commanded them to come out. “What is your name?” He demanded. The spirits replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.” The demons begged Him again and again not to send them to some distant place. There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby, so the evil spirits pleaded, “Send us into those pigs. Let us enter them!” Jesus gave them permission, and they came out of the man and entered the pigs. The entire herd of about two thousand plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water. Instantly, the man felt a dark, heavy burden lift off him. He was flooded with light and became aware of his surroundings and his nakedness. His mind was crystal clear. He looked up into the most beautiful, gentle eyes he had ever seen. He looked into the very face of love.
When the herdsmen saw it, they fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news. People rushed out to see what had happened, and a crowd gathered around Jesus. They were astounded to see the man sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane. Terrified, they began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone. As Jesus was getting into the boat, the healed man begged to go with Him. But Jesus said, “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him (Mark 5:1–20; Luke 8:26–39).
Demons are still active today, and their goal is the same: to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). They can distort and destroy your relationship with God by planting lies about Him and how He feels about you. They can cause mental and physical illness, block your blessing, and steal your destiny. This doesn’t mean you must cower in fear, imagining a demon behind every corner. Demons are powerless against Jesus. This legion of evil spirits immediately recognized Him and knew His authority over them. In the same way, they are powerless against those who carry His presence. If you resist evil spirits in the name of Jesus and refuse to partner with their lies, they have no choice but to flee (James 4:7).
Sometimes people unknowingly allow evil spirits access to their lives by dabbling in occult activities like palm reading, tarot cards, and false religions. God clearly warns against these activities and calls them detestable (Deuteronomy 18:10–12). If we confess and renounce all past involvement, Jesus will cleanse and heal us (1 John 1:9).
Jesus healed this tormented man, and he became the first evangelist in this pagan Gerasene region. Don’t be surprised if He also asks you to go and tell your family and friends the great things God has done for you!
Lord, please reveal any lies I have believed about You and how You feel about me, and replace those lies with Your truth. Please show me any ways I may have sought wisdom or guidance from any spirits other than Yours. I renounce all ties with any activities that Your Word forbids, and if there is anything spiritual that is blocking my healing, I command it to leave in the name of Jesus! I receive Your forgiveness and cleansing, Lord!
Lord, thank You that by Your power and authority, my body, soul, and spirit are healed and set free. I shout from the rooftops the great things You have done for me!