From Madness to Mission - Sep. 28th, 2025

Text: Luke 8:26-39 (KJV)

Central Idea of the Text (CIT): Jesus delivered a hopeless demon-possessed man among the Gadarenes, displaying divine authority and provoking mixed reactions.

Sermonic Proposition: No one is beyond Christ’s saving power; He still frees captives and sends them to proclaim His mercy.

Purpose: Evangelistic & Missional: I want my hearers to trust that no one is beyond Jesus’ saving power, and to obediently share with others the great things God has done for them.

Introduction

Imagine the most hopeless person you can think of. Perhaps it’s someone who has utterly lost their mind; wandering the streets muttering to themselves, addicted and broken. Or someone so violent and tormented that everyone avoids them. We sometimes label people like this “lost causes” or beyond help. In our text this morning, we meet a man who fits that description in the extreme: a naked madman living in a graveyard, possessed by a multitude of demons. By all accounts, his situation was humanly hopeless. Yet in one encounter, Jesus completely transformed this man from madness to mission, from chaos to a living testimony of God’s grace.

Why should we care about this ancient incident? Because we all have a deep need for the delivering power of Jesus Christ. You might not be demon-possessed, but you may feel chained by something; a besetting sin, an addiction, a darkness or despair you can’t shake. Or perhaps you know someone who seems too far gone: a loved one who’s hardened in unbelief or bondage. The Gadarene demoniac’s story shows that no one is beyond the compassionate reach of Christ[1]. Jesus crossed the lake into Gentile territory to rescue one lost soul, proving that no place and no person is out of His reach. And when He delivered this man, it showcased a divine authority that even a legion of demons could not resist. However, not everyone welcomed Jesus’ work; some responded with fear and rejection. This story forces each of us to consider our own response to Jesus’ power and mercy. Will we respond with faith and gratitude like the delivered man, or with fear and self-interest like the townspeople?

Today’s message in a sentence is this: No one is too far gone for Jesus to save, and those whom He saves must then spread the news of His mercy. Jesus still has power to break every chain and restore any life, and He calls all who have experienced His deliverance to “shew how great things God hath done” (v.39).

With that in mind, let’s walk through Luke 8:26-39 and see how our Lord takes a man from the grip of demons to the call of discipleship.

Body

I. No one is beyond Christ’s compassionate reach: Jesus seeks out even the most hopeless sinner (Lk. 8:26-28).

    A. Jesus deliberately goes to an unclean land for one lost soul (Lk. 8:26).

Luke 8:26 KJV

26 And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.

In verse 26, Jesus and His disciples arrive “at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.” This means they intentionally sailed to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, into Gentile territory. Gadara was a Decapolis region city largely populated by Gentiles, as indicated by the herd of swine (unclean animals to Jews) being raised there[2][3]. By entering this “unclean” land, Jesus demonstrates His missionary heart; He goes where most religious leaders would never go, pursuing those considered unclean and far from God. It’s no accident that this trip comes right after a storm at sea (which Jesus stilled) and amid growing opposition from Jewish leaders (Luke 8:22-25). Christ extends His grace to those “afar off,” fulfilling God’s promise to reach even the Gentiles[4]. He seeks the one sheep out of a hundred, crossing every barrier to save a soul (cf. Luke 15:4).

        1. Historical note:

Gadara’s territory likely extended to the lakeshore; archaeologists have even found a harbor on the eastern shore, confirming that area as the Gadarenes’ land[2]. So Jesus truly went into foreign soil; a bold move for a Jewish rabbi.

        2. Application:

Jesus is willing to go anywhere to rescue a sinner, even the most spiritually “unclean” places. Likewise, He calls us to reach out beyond our comfort zone to those who seem far from God. We must not write off anyone as beyond hope. Think of a person or a community you consider “too far gone,” Jesus can reach them. His compassion crosses every boundary. If our Lord went to a graveyard of Gentile tombs for one man, we can go across the street or across the world to share His love.

B. A man utterly enslaved by demonic power confronts Jesus (Lk. 8:27).

Luke 8:27 KJV

27 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.

As soon as Jesus steps onto land, He is met by a terrifying sight: “a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs” (v.27). This poor soul had been in demonic bondage “a long time.” Luke emphasizes his miserable condition; he is living like a sub-human: running around naked, homeless, dwelling among the dead. In Jewish thought, tombs were unclean (cf. Num. 19:16); this man lives in perpetual impurity and isolation. Mark’s Gospel adds that he was crying out and cutting himself with stones (Mark 5:5), indicating self-harm and utter despair. Luke later notes that people had tried to restrain him with chains, but he’d demonstrated supernatural strength to break them, being driven by the demons into solitary places (v.29). Picture him: bruised, bleeding, shackles hanging from his wrists, hair matted, body scarred; a man in hellish agony. Truly, if anyone ever seemed beyond hope, it was this man.

        1. No human solution had worked:

Society had no answer for him. They had often bound him with fetters and chains to protect him and others, but he snapped the bonds like threads (v.29, cf. Mark 5:4). People likely avoided that area entirely because of the danger (Matt. 8:28 mentions he was “exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way”). He is as free as a wild animal and as miserable as one; a vivid picture of what Satan does to a person made in God’s image.

        2. Hope arrives with Jesus:

Though others feared and abandoned this man, Jesus does not turn away. In fact, Jesus had braved a storm and a journey for this very encounter. Here is hope: Christ comes to the worst first. The text implies the man came running to Jesus (Mark 5:6 says he ran and worshiped Him; likely the man’s desperate impulse, though the demons then speak). The Lord is drawing a lost soul to Himself. No matter how tormented or outcast, when Jesus shows up, the worst bondage is on the verge of being broken.

        3. Illustration:

Consider how Jesus similarly sought out other despised outcasts. He “must needs go through Samaria” to reach the Samaritan woman with five failed marriages (John 4:4-19). He touched and cleansed lepers whom others fled. He called a chief tax collector, Zacchaeus, down from a tree to bring salvation to his house. Our Savior specializes in hopeless cases. He leaves the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep. This demon-possessed Gadarene is one glaring example; proof that no soul is too far gone for Jesus. As one commentator notes, Jesus here “deliberately [reaches] out to someone viewed as beyond help,” fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy that Messiah would “set at liberty them that are bruised”[5][6].

C. Even the demons recognize Jesus’ identity and authority (Lk. 8:28).

Luke 8:28 KJV

28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.

As the man (driven by the demons) rushes up, he suddenly shrieks and falls down before Jesus, crying with a loud voice: “What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not” (v.28). This is an astonishing scene; the very powers of hell are bowing in involuntary obeisance at Jesus’ feet! The demons speak through the man, using a common Near Eastern idiom “What have I to do with thee?” meaning “Leave me alone! We have nothing to do with each other.” They address Jesus by His divine title “Son of the Most High God.” Though filled with hatred and fear, they cannot deny who Jesus truly is[7]. In Gentile lands “Most High God” was a known title for the God of Israel[7], so this is a clear confession that Jesus is God’s Son wielding God’s power. The demons also beg Him: “torment me not.” In Matthew’s parallel, they add “Art Thou come to torment us before the time?” (Matt 8:29), alluding to the future judgment. These evil spirits know that a day of reckoning is appointed, and they tremble at the Judge standing before them. How ironic: the townspeople will later fear the wrong thing, but the demons show a kind of orthodox fear; they know exactly Jesus’ identity and authority.

        1. Jesus had already begun commanding the unclean spirit to come out (v.29a).

The demon’s cry was essentially a stall tactic; a desperate negotiation. They know they have to obey Christ, but they attempt to control the terms of their exit. Yet even their resistance proves Christ’s supremacy: they have to ask permission for everything, as we will see.

        2. Doctrine:

We get here a sobering glimpse into the demonic realm. Demons are real personal beings, not mere symbols of mental illness. They can speak, think, fear, and act. They had literally taken over this man’s personality. Yet, they are not all-powerful; in fact, they are utterly subject to Jesus. Even a legion of devils cannot withstand one word from the Son of God. As James 2:19 reminds us, “the devils also believe, and tremble.” Christian, take comfort: the evil one and his hordes may oppress and frighten, but they fall helpless at the feet of our Savior. The presence of Jesus turns the tide in any spiritual battle.

Transition:

The stage is set; the forces of darkness have met their match in the Son of God. What will Jesus do with this legion of demons? The answer demonstrates our second great truth…

II. No force can withstand Christ’s supreme authority: Jesus utterly defeats the demons and delivers the man (Lk. 8:29-33).

    A. Jesus exposes the full extent of the demonic grip (Lk. 8:29-30).

Luke 8:29–30 KJV

29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) 30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.

After the demon’s initial outburst, Jesus asks him, “What is thy name?” (v.30). This question wasn’t for Jesus’ own information, He already has authority over the spirit, but it serves to reveal the magnitude of this man’s oppression. The reply came, “Legion: because many devils were entered into him.” A Roman legion numbered around 5,000-6,000 soldiers; by using this name, the demons admit they are an organized horde[8]. Imagine, thousands of evil spirits tormenting one man. No wonder he seemed a hopeless case! Yet, as daunting as this “Legion” sounds, they are vastly outmatched by Jesus. The demons are essentially surrendering by giving their name; in ancient exorcisms, extracting the spirit’s name was a step toward expelling it. Jesus is firmly in control of this confrontation.

        1. Authority with a word:

Mark’s Gospel notes that Jesus had been saying to the spirit, “Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit” (Mark 5:8). Unlike Jewish exorcists who recited long incantations or magical formulas, Jesus commands with simple, sovereign authority[9]. There is no doubt Who is in charge. By asking “Name?” He also forces the demon to divulge its strength; and thereby to expose its weakness in light of Christ’s greater power. The very name Legion emphasizes how completely the man was dominated; and thus how complete Jesus’ deliverance will be.

        2. No contest:

It’s important to see that this is not an equal struggle between good and evil. The demons are outmatched. They resort to begging because they recognize Jesus can do with them as He pleases. Beloved, our Lord is the Creator; demons are mere creatures, fallen angels, and “not even a pig can be possessed without Christ’s permission,” as one commentator quips[10]. How much more, then, can we trust in Christ’s protection! If you belong to Jesus, the enemy cannot ultimately harm you without God’s leave (cf. Job 1:10-12).

B. The demons beg for a concession, and Jesus demonstrates His power (Lk. 8:31-33).

Luke 8:31–33 KJV

31 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. 32 And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them. 33 Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.

The evil spirits, fearing Jesus will cast them “into the deep” (the abyss of confinement[11]), implore Him not to banish them to that prison. Instead, they make a strange plea: “they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into [the swine]” (v.32). A large herd of pigs was feeding on a nearby hillside. The demons would rather enter pigs than be sent into the abyss. In response, Jesus gives a single word of permission; “Go” (as recorded in Matthew 8:32). He “suffered them;” allowed it. Immediately, the legion of demons leaves the man and invades the herd of about 2,000 pigs (Mark 5:13). The result is instant mayhem: the entire herd stampedes down a steep bank into the Sea of Galilee and drowns (v.33). It’s a dramatic, visible proof of Christ’s deliverance. In that moment, everyone can see that the countless demons truly left the man; because something literally drove the pigs insane.

        1. Why did Jesus allow the demons to enter the pigs?

This question has puzzled many. We can discern several reasons.

First, it publicly vindicated the deliverance; no one could deny a real, powerful exorcism had taken place when 2,000 swine suddenly went berserk[12]. It wasn’t psychosomatic or trickery; Jesus’ authority over the demons was dramatically displayed.

Second, it illustrates the destructive intent of demons. These forces of Satan had been destroying the man’s life; when given leave, they immediately destroy the pigs. It’s a graphic reminder that the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy; but Christ brings life and restoration.

Third, it showed the incomparable value of a human soul. One man’s deliverance was worth the loss of a whole herd of animals. This may have been a rebuke to those (possibly some apostate Jews in the area) who were violating God’s law by raising unclean animals for profit[13]. If so, Jesus was cleaning house in more ways than one.

Finally, this outcome did test the hearts of the people who saw it; would they rejoice over a man’s salvation, or resent the economic loss? We’ll see their response shortly.

        2. The power of Christ affirmed:

The drowning of the swine stands as a witness that evil was decisively driven out. The “strong man” (Satan) was overpowered by one stronger (Jesus, cf. Luke 11:21-22). It’s also a foretaste of Judgment Day; the demons hurled into the abyss like Pharaoh’s army thrown into the sea[14]. Indeed, the demons’ earlier plea betrays they know their ultimate fate. By granting their request in this instance, Jesus ensured the man’s deliverance was complete and also set up a scenario to confront the community with a clear choice.

Our King is absolutely sovereign: a legion of devils must beg His permission even to enter some pigs[15], and they cannot so much as inhabit a swine without His word. What an encouragement to our faith! This same Jesus is Lord over all forces that oppress humanity; physical, spiritual, you name it. With a word, He can send them packing. Revelation 20 reminds us that at the end of the age, Christ will cast Satan and all his host into the lake of fire forever. This deliverance in Gadara is a preview of that ultimate victory.

        3. The man is totally freed.

Though Luke doesn’t describe the man’s immediate reaction here, we find out in verse 35 and following what became of him. The silence in verses 32-33 is telling; the man is no longer screaming or convulsing. He’s likely standing there in astonished quietness as the demons depart. His nightmare has ended. The howling legion inside him is gone. For the first time in ages, he has his mind back. Christ’s word has accomplished what no chain or human effort ever could: true deliverance.

Transition:

The demons are defeated and the man is saved. One would think the whole region would rejoice at such a miracle. But sadly, not everyone saw this as good news. The reaction of the locals gives us a sober warning in the next movement of the story…

III. Fearful hearts often reject Christ’s work: Sadly, many care more for their comfort and control than for Christ’s deliverance (Lk. 8:34-37).

    A. The townspeople respond with shock and fear instead of faith (Lk. 8:34-35).

Luke 8:34–35 KJV

34 When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

The swineherds who witnessed the pigs’ demise run off to spread the report in town and country (v.34). One can imagine them breathlessly telling how the infamous madman was healed and how their entire herd plunged into the lake. A crowd quickly gathers and comes out to see for themselves. Verse 35 describes what they find: the man who had been possessed is “sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind.” What an astonishing transformation! Moments ago, this man was a naked terror; now he is calm, dressed, and coherent, sitting like a disciple at Jesus’ feet. The villagers see undeniable evidence of a miraculous deliverance. Yet, instead of rejoicing, “they were afraid” (v.35). A great fear falls on the people. Why are they afraid? This isn’t the terror of facing a raging demoniac; that threat is gone. This is a supernatural fear, a sense of the uncanny power present among them. They realize they are in the presence of One far greater than what they’ve known. Like the disciples on the boat who “feared” after Jesus calmed the storm (Luke 8:25), these folk now fear this display of divine power. Unfortunately, their fear doesn’t move them to worship, but to withdrawal. Luke 8:36 notes that eyewitnesses explained to the rest “by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.” They likely recounted the whole story; including the part about the pigs. That detail especially would hit home: this miracle had cost them economically.

        1. Misplaced priorities:

It appears the townspeople are more upset about the loss of their pigs than joyful about the rescue of the demoniac. Perhaps that large herd represented significant income for the community. Instead of valuing a soul set free, they see Jesus as a threat to their prosperity. This reveals their heart: they prefer their swine to the Savior[16]. It’s a tragic truth that some people care more about material things or personal comfort than about the work of God in their midst.

        2. A disturbing power:

Additionally, these Gadarenes, steeped in their own beliefs, are unsettled by Jesus’ holy authority. A mighty work of God has occurred on their turf, and rather than respond with faith, they react with superstitious dread. Sometimes people find the presence of God too disruptive. It challenges their status quo. These folks had tried to manage the problem of the demoniac with chains at a distance; now Jesus has upended their normal (albeit miserable) situation in one day. It’s been said, “Sometimes the terror we know is more tolerable than the peace we can’t imagine.” The Prince of Peace was offering them peace, but they found it terrifyingly unfamiliar. They feared what Jesus might do next.

B. The community rejects Jesus and asks Him to leave (Lk. 8:37).

Luke 8:37 KJV

37 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.

Luke tells us “the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought Him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear” (v.37). What a sorrowful outcome; an entire region urges the Lord of glory to go away. The word “besought” (begged) is the same used earlier of the demons’ pleas[17], as if to suggest the people are echoing the demons’ sentiment: “Go away, Jesus.” They cannot deny His power, but they do not want it near them. Jesus represents change, and loss of what they value, and they won’t have it. So, in one of the most tragic scenes in the Gospels, Jesus honorably accedes to their request. He will not stay where He’s not welcome. As they plead with Him, He turns back toward the boat to depart. Here we see that encountering Jesus forces a choice: you either beseech Him to come into your life or, like these Gadarenes, you beg Him to go out of your life. There is no neutral ground.

        1. Warning:

The Gadarenes’ rejection stands as a warning to us. How often do people effectively ask Jesus to leave because His presence threatens their lifestyle or idols? Many today respond to the gospel this way. They sense its truth but fear the “cost” of following Christ, the loss of pet sins, worldly pleasures, or personal control, and so they push Him away. Like these townsfolk who calculated the price of lost pigs, some count the cost of discipleship and tragically conclude Jesus isn’t worth it. Remember, those pigs drowned in a moment, but that man’s soul was saved for eternity. What profit is an entire herd, or the whole world, if you lose your soul? Let’s examine our own hearts: Is there anything we’re valuing above Jesus, anything that would make us say, “Depart from me, Lord,” when He puts a finger on it? God forbid we prefer pigs to the Redeemer.

        Illustration:

We see a similar misplaced rejection in Acts 16. When the Apostle Paul cast a demon out of a slave girl in Philippi, her masters were furious; not because she was free, but because their fortune-telling business was ruined. They stirred up the city to expel Paul and Silas rather than receive the gospel (Acts 16:19-24). Profit mattered more to them than a person’s liberation. The same dynamic is at work here in Gadara. And it still happens wherever the gospel confronts economic or personal idols. Some will push Christ away rather than let Him change their lives.

        2. Despite the rejection, mercy still leaves a witness:

It’s striking that even as the Gadarenes send Jesus off, He does not retaliate or call down judgment. He simply leaves; but not without ensuring that they still have a testimony of God’s grace among them. This leads us to the final development in our story, centered on the delivered man himself.

Transition:

The people begged Jesus to depart, and He is boarding the boat. But one person is not letting Jesus go so easily; the very man who was delivered. His response is the polar opposite of his neighbors’. In it we find our final lesson…

IV. Christ calls the delivered to proclaim His mercy: Those whom Jesus saves are sent out as witnesses for Him (Lk. 8:38-39).

    A. The delivered man longs to remain with Jesus (Lk. 8:38).

Luke 8:38 KJV

38 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,

As Jesus is getting ready to leave, the man who had been possessed falls in step behind Him. Luke says he “besought Him that he might be with Him” (v.38). What a beautiful request; he’s essentially asking to join Jesus’ disciples permanently. (The phrase “be with Him” is the language Mark uses to describe the Twelve’s calling, Mark 3:14.) This once-enslaved man wants nothing more than to stay close to his Savior. It’s a natural desire of a rescued soul: having been freed by Christ, he now clings to Christ. Remember, earlier the man (under demonic influence) begged Jesus not to torment him, and now, freed, he begs to go with Jesus; in both cases the text uses a term for earnest entreaty[18]. What a change grace has wrought!

        1. Not every follower has the same assignment:

Surprisingly, Jesus does not grant this request. “Jesus sent him away” (v.38), not harshly, but with a higher purpose in mind. The Lord knows that this man has an important mission back home. Sometimes staying where Jesus wants you is more important than traveling with Him physically. In this case, following Jesus meant not getting in the boat.

        2. Discipleship in daily life:

The man’s desire shows genuine devotion. He is a model of how every believer should feel; longing to be with Christ, hungry for His presence. Though Jesus had a specific plan for him, the desire itself was commendable. Do we “besiege” the Lord with our yearning to be closer to Him? May we, like this man, earnestly desire to walk with Jesus every moment.

B. Jesus commissions him to testify at home (Lk. 8:39a).

Luke 8:39 KJV

39 Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.

Jesus says to the man, “Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee” (v.39). This is remarkable: rather than taking the man along, Jesus sends him back to his community as a witness. He essentially makes this man a preacher to his own people. Notice, Jesus doesn’t simply say “go home and enjoy your freedom.” He gives him a mission: “shew” (declare) God’s great works. Jesus wants the news of God’s mercy to spread among the Gadarenes, even though He Himself was asked to leave. The Lord may depart physically, but He leaves a missionary behind! In fact, this man becomes the first evangelist to the Gentiles in the Gospels[19][20]. Long before Paul goes to Decapolis, this guy is proclaiming God’s power in Gentile territory. What grace: the region that drove Jesus out is not abandoned; they will continually hear the testimony of one of their own transformed by Christ. And what a credible witness he will be. Everyone knew who he was; now they’ll see who he is in Christ.

        1. God or Jesus?

Interestingly, Jesus tells him to declare what “God” has done, yet the man will proclaim what Jesus has done (v.39b). This subtle detail in Luke highlights that Jesus is God; His work is God’s work[21]. Theologically, it shows that to tell of Jesus is to tell of God. For this man, there’s no difference: Jesus is his Lord and Savior, and all the glory goes to God.

        2. Start at home:

Jesus often directs people to begin their witness at home (“thine own house”). Our first mission field is our family and community; those who have seen our “before and after.” Sometimes that’s the hardest place to share, because people know our past. But it’s also the most powerful place, because they can’t deny the change. If Christ has saved you, the transformation in your life, however gradual or sudden, is a testimony the world needs to hear. Don’t hide the work God has done in you. Your story, like this man’s, can point others to Jesus.

C. The man obediently publishes the good news (Lk. 8:39b).

The end of verse 39 says, “And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.” What a triumphant finale! The man doesn’t sulk that he can’t travel with Jesus; instead he immediately obeys, becoming a vibrant witness. Mark 5:20 adds that he proclaimed it in the Decapolis region, meaning this man likely went all around the ten-city area telling his story. Luke emphasizes “the whole city,” likely his hometown, heard the news. (Combining the accounts, he shared in his city and throughout Decapolis[22].) This formerly demonized man becomes a flaming evangelist! Imagine the shock and wonder of those who had known his former madness, now hearing him lucidly praising God[23]. God chose the most unlikely candidate and made him a trophy of grace. Later, when Jesus returned to Decapolis (Mark 7:31), crowds flocked to Him; possibly in part because of this man’s testimony[24]. Truly, one spark from a changed life can light a fire in many hearts.

        1. Illustration:

Recall the Samaritan woman at the well; after Jesus saved her, she ran to her city saying “Come, see a man who told me all things I ever did” and many believed because of her word (John 4:39). Here too, one encounter with Christ turns a notorious outcast into a bold witness. History is full of such stories: the Apostle Paul went from persecutor to preacher; John Newton went from blasphemous slave trader to beloved hymn-writer testifying “I once was lost, but now am found.” When Jesus truly delivers someone, the most natural response is to tell others of “the great things God has done.” If you have been redeemed, you have a testimony. You don’t need a dramatic demonic story; any soul brought from darkness to light is a miracle. Share it freely. Like this man, you don’t need years of training; just tell what Jesus did for you.

        2. Application:

We see in this final scene a pattern for all believers. Jesus saves us, then He sends us. He calls us first to be with Him; to sit at His feet, clothed in righteousness and in our right mind, and then to go for Him, to our homes, workplaces, and beyond, declaring His mercy. Are we obeying that call? Perhaps some of us have lost the wonder of our salvation and grown silent. Let this man’s example rekindle your evangelistic zeal. And if you feel hesitant because of your past, remember: your very scars can become stories that speak of God’s healing. This man didn’t hide the fact that he had been possessed by a legion; rather, that was the backdrop that made Jesus’ deliverance shine brighter. Don’t be ashamed of your “before Christ” story; use it to highlight God’s grace in the “after Christ” life. Jesus wants to use your transformed life to draw others to Himself.

Conclusion

Luke 8:26-39 leaves us with two stark responses to Jesus. On one hand, we have a man who was freed from Satan’s grip and who eagerly devoted himself to Christ, obeying and proclaiming the gospel. On the other hand, we have a whole community that witnessed Christ’s power and yet begged Him to leave because He threatened their way of life. Which response will be yours? The delivered man’s life shouted, “Jesus did great things for me!” The Gadarenes effectively said, “Go away, Jesus.” Today, you’ve heard how the Son of God can break the chains of sin and evil in an instant. No one is beyond His saving touch; not even you. Will you implore Him to depart, or invite Him to rule in your life?

If you have not yet trusted Christ, consider the cost of telling Him to leave. The Gadarenes lost Jesus’ presence that day; He got back in the boat. Don’t send Jesus away from your heart. He stands ready to set you free from whatever has you bound; be it sin, addiction, fear, or despair. You may not have a legion of demons, but apart from Christ, your soul is in the enemy’s grasp. The same Jesus who crossed the sea for one man went to the cross for you. He died and rose again to break your chains. Don’t let fear of change or love of this world make you beg Him to depart. Instead, run to Him and bow at His feet, and say, “Lord, have Your way with me!” He will save you, completely and forever, for “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).

For those of us who know Jesus, the challenge is clear: value Christ above all, and proclaim Him boldly. Let’s not cling to any “herd of swine” in our lives, no sin, no possession, no comfort, that we would trade for the fullness of Christ’s presence. And let’s take seriously our Lord’s commission: “Go home and tell how much God has done for you.” There are people in your life who need to hear what Jesus has done in your soul. Will you tell them? God left the delivered man in Gadara as a shining lighthouse in a dark place. You might be the only “Jesus story” someone will ever hear. Don’t keep silent about His mercy.

In the end, the madman’s story is our story. We all were dead in sin, maybe not outwardly living in tombs, but spiritually destitute and under the devil’s sway, until Christ came and rescued us[25]. Now we are clothed in Christ’s righteousness, seated at His feet, and in our right minds by His grace (v.35). And now He says, “Go and tell others.” First Baptist Church of Westminster, let’s marvel at what our Savior has done for us, and let’s obey Him by sharing it. There are many around us still living among the tombs, so to speak, who need the life-giving word of the gospel. Let’s go to them with the compassion of Christ.

The hymnwriter puts it well: “He breaks the power of canceled sin, He sets the prisoner free; His blood can make the foulest clean; His blood availed for me.” May we never cease to glory in our Deliverer, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Most High God. And may we, like the man of Gadara, joyfully declare to all who will listen the great things our Lord has done for us. Amen.

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