They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the towns. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 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!” 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. Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.

Today, as I think about my life, my purpose and my mission, I am so very thankful that Jesus Christ is on my side. He is so loving, so powerful, and so very humble … all at the same time. He serves, cares and loves; and though it may go unnoticed and unappreciated, he does it over and over again. Here, we see this poor, pitiful man who has been controlled by many demons for so long. He is uncontrollable, tormenting all in his path. And as Jesus approaches him, we find these demons, who feared no man and tormented the town. But they feared Jesus! Even though they were powerful, they knew who Jesus was and his immense power over them.

As I look at this world and all of the beauty God created, and then all of the perversions and sin that man gets entrapped in, it is such a stark contrast. It is like the Psalmist says: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” ‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭1‬-‭3‬)
This demon-possessed man was living a horrible life. He knew the meaning of “mountains giving way” and “the waters roaring and foaming at their surging.” He had experienced such heartache and pain in life. And yet Jesus cared about him when everyone else had seemingly given up on him.‬‬ He cared enough to confront the Legion of demons, to call them out. And he is powerful enough that the demons tried to negotiate a peaceful surrender.

So today as I look forward to another 50 years in life, I want to be so close to Jesus that I can FEEL HIS BREATH as he casts out the demons and does his miracles. I want to walk in lock step with him. He is the only one who cares so much and is so powerful all at the same time!

Lord, thank you for caring enough to do battle for poor, oppressed souls. That demon possessed man could have been me before I met Jesus. Give me a caring heart that knows no bounds as I serve and help me to be fearless in spiritual battle as I advance your kingdom. By your grace and mercy I can do it!