seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Luke 8:26 They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. 27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29 For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.
30 Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
“Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31 And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.
32 A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. 33 When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.
34 When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, 35 and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 36 Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. 37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.
38 The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.
I had to look up two words this morning. I looked them up because they seemed to beg for definition. In verse 31 the demons were concerned about being locked in the "abyss". So, I did a search and just as I suspected, the only other place "abyss" seems to appear is in John's Revelation. I thought so. That's why it nagged me to look it up. When you Got Questions.... go to a Messianic Jewish Preacher!
An Abyss is a deep or bottomless hole. Angels in Heaven have the key to the Abyss. When someone or something is thrown down into the "abyss" they seem to have a problem getting out. On top of that, God put a lock on it. Those demons can check in, but they can't check out.... unless God sends the key.
The other word that stood out for me was "Legion". I figure the "Legion" would be a huge number. I was right... at the time Jesus was talking with this demon possessed guy, the average number associated with "Legion" was 5,000. That man was plagued by 5,000 demons!!! Some humans can barely handle being plagued by one demon, let alone 5,000. This guy was quite the demon warrior, right?
So, this guy was plagued by 5,000 demons who nagged at him constantly. He was running around the tombs naked! Poor guy was really on a tear!
Yep, I'm skipping over the fact the demons called Jesus by name and station, because the preachers love that part and we all know it. Besides I defined the two biggest words to describe the situation.
It's the pig farmers who have always amused me when I read this story. The pig farmers asked Jesus to leave. They ran Jesus out of town, nicely, but they ran Him out of town. He had to get back in His boat and leave.
Pigs were a cash crop, just like sheep and goats. They were also garbage disposals. [check out the use of pigs in the Series "Deadwood"]
When Jesus sent the demons into the pigs.... they ran for the cliffs.... the cash crop was ruined! If Jesus stayed there, the whole region [pig farmers] would be bankrupted, and those living at the base of the cliff would be happier too.
Hey.... is this what happens when pig fly? Are the demons in control? Is that why we don't do things until pigs fly?
The guy begged Jesus to take him with them. Jesus told him to go home and tell those around what happened. I doubt this man was Jewish. So, he would be a great pick to spread the Word to the Gentiles in the pig farming region.
Did the people of the region begin to consider a choice between cash crop or Salvation?
Did they have to decide?
A cash crop or Jesus?
