WALKING WITH THE FRIEND OF SINNERS Day 46

Posted on Jan 15, 2016 in General |

Read Luke 8: 26 – 39

JESUS SENDS DEMONS INTO A HEARD OF PIGS
The land of the Geresenes was a gentile region southwest of the Sea of Galilee, home of ten cities, called the Decapolis. These were Greek cities that belonged to no country and were self-governing. Although Jews would not have raised pigs because the Jewish religion considered them unclean, the Gentiles had no such aversion.
These demons recognized Jesus and His authority immediately. They knew who Jesus was and what His power could do to them. Demons, Satan’s messengers, are powerful and destructive. Still active today, they attempt to distort and destroy people’s relationship with God. Demons and demon possession are real. It is vital that believers recognize the power of Satan and His demons, but you shouldn’t let curiosity lead you to get involved with demonic sources. Demons are powerless against those who trust in Jesus. If you resist the devil, he will leave you alone.
The demon’s name was Legion. A legion was the largest unit in the Roman army, having between 3,000 and 6,000 soldiers. The man was possessed by not one but many demons.
The demons begged Jesus to spare them from the bottomless pit, which is mentioned in Revelation 9:1 and 20:1-3 as the place of confinement for Satan and his demons. The demons, of course, knew all about this place of confinement, and they didn’t want to go there.
Why wouldn’t Jesus destroy these demons or just send them to the bottomless pit? Because the time of such work had not yet come. Jesus healed many people of the destructive effects of demon possession, but He did not yet destroy the demons. The same question could be asked today – why doesn’t stop all the evil in this world? His time for that has not yet come.

The demons destroyed the pigs, which hurt the finances of those tending the pigs, but can money and pigs compare to a human life? A man had been freed from the devil’s power, but the people thought only about their livestock. People have always tended to value financial gain above needy people. Throughout history most wars have been fought to protect economic interests. Much injustice and oppression, both home and abroad, is the direct result of some individual’s or company’s urge to get rich. People are continually being sacrificed to the god of money. Don’t think more highly of “pigs” than of people. Think carefully about how your decisions will affect other human beings, and be willing to choose a simpler life style if it will keep other people from being harmed.

Often Jesus asked those being healed to be quiet about the healing, but He urged this man to return to his family and tell them what God has done for him. Why? 1) Jesus knew the man would be an effective witness to those who knew his previous condition and could attest to his miraculous healing. 2) Jesus wanted to expand His ministry by introducing His message to the gentile area. 3) Jesus knew that the Gentiles, since they were not expecting a Messiah, would not divert His ministry by trying to crown Him king. When God touches your life, don’t be afraid to share the wonderful events with your family and friends.