Week #43 – Tell What God Has Done For You

Luke 8:32-39 – A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into them, and he gave them permission. 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. When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, 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. Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. 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. The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “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.

Jesus had commanded the legion of demons to come out of the man.  They were no match for His power and they resorted to begging.  They begged Jesus not to send them into the Abyss. Revelation 9 references the Abyss as that abode where Satan and evil spirits are confined.  The demons know full well that there is coming a day when the King of kings will bind and lock them all away for good!  It just happened that there was a large herd of pigs feeding on the nearby hillside.  The demons continued their begging by requesting that Jesus let them go into the pigs. With His permission, the demons came out of the man and went into the pigs, and the entire herd made a headlong plunge down the hillside into the lake where they were drowned.  The compassion, power and authority of the Lord Jesus had delivered a soul from miserable torment and suffering, and now he was free!

When those taking care of the pigs saw what had happened they ran off and reported it far and wide, and their news rallied a large crowd to see what they were talking about.  When they came to Jesus, they found the man who had been demon possessed sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind!  Three things that were completely opposite from his previous identity: “sitting (calmly at Jesus’ feet)…, dressed…in his right mind!”  The One who stilled the storms and tempests had now calmed the troubled mind and spirit of a demon possessed man.  But the townsfolk were stricken with fear and asked Jesus to leave the territory.  So He got in the boat and left.

However, there was one who was no longer troubled or afraid, and he begged Jesus to let him go with him.  But Jesus denied his request.  This man from whom the demons had gone out was given a different assignment.  “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.”  The town was not willing to welcome Jesus or hear the message of the Kingdom from Him, but they will get to hear this ambassador who was a first- hand recipient and witness of the power of God!  “So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.”  Dear ones, have you taken inventory of all that God has done for you?  Has He forgiven your sins, healed your diseases, saved your marriage and family, given you a fresh slate and new lease on life, cleansed your heart and made you whole?  Go to the ones who knew you before and tell them how much God has done for you!  They may never go to church or read a Bible, but they will listen to you!

• Good News families of the week: Ben & Jen Martin (Emma, Grace, Benjie, Callie, Daniel), Barr & Sherry Miesch, Laura Mohr.