Luke 8:23-29 (NRSV)
Read Luke 8:23-29 on biblegateway.com
Verse 23and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. Verse 24They went to him and woke him up, shouting, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. Verse 25He said to them, "Where is your faith?" They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, "Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?" Verse 26Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. Verse 27As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. Verse 28When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me"- Verse 29for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.)
Devotion
This gospel reading raises the question, “Who was listening to Jesus?” We learn that first it was a single unclean spirit. Then we read further that there were many who possessed this poor man, thus the name he was given, “Legion,” which in Roman times could mean hundreds if not thousands of spirits. After the demons came out of the man and entered a herd of swine, it was the swineherds, who had witnessed this pastoral act, that spread the word near and far to anyone who would listen. Their sharing of the Good News must have been heard, because all the people from the surrounding area came to see Jesus. If we are able to tell the stories that lift up Jesus’ compassion to others, they too might be freed from whatever holds them bound.
Prayer
Jesus, you tell us to go tell it everywhere. We pray your Spirit will embolden us to share your love without prejudice or hesitation. Amen.
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