The Powerful, Merciful Saviour
Notes
Transcript
Scripture Reading
Scripture Reading
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 evil 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 him 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 them, 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.
Introduction
Introduction
We’ve just considered together the account of Jesus calming a powerful storm on the Sea of Galilee. In Luke’s account, he now records how the disciples get across the Sea of Galilee to a place called the region of the Garasenes.
This morning we will be considering together the account of the Gerasene Demoniac, a man that was greatly afflicted by an extremely powerful demon - or rather, a legion of demons… meaning multiple demons that were afflicting him.
Although we may be somewhat removed in our day from the immediate context, because we typically have little exposure to demon possession in our day, the account is striking and powerful for us.
We will see through this passage that Satan was truly at work. There was a very real state of this man being greatly afflicted. But further to this, we will see that Christ is exceedingly more powerful and authoritative than the demons.
And so this passage truly is an encouragement to us. We will learn more of the great authority of Jesus Christ, so that in our day we may live with confidence that He is truly Lord. He is truly sovereign and all-powerful within our circumstances.
This passage deals in very practical terms with the mercy of Jesus Christ. And so through this text, I’ve titled by sections in terms of that aspect of mercy.
Notice firstly with me...
1. The Need for Mercy (vv.26-27)
1. The Need for Mercy (vv.26-27)
The scene and location of this event is given in verse 26...
26 They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee.
This region was found on the Eastern / South-Eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, whereas Capernaum sits on the North Western side of the Sea. The region of the Garasenes was an expansive area. There was a city called Gadara that was the capital of the area, in fact the capital of the Roman province of Peraea. But that city was somewhat inland.
The miracle itself however takes place as Jesus comes ashore from sailing across the Sea of Galilee. This was a hilly area. There were some steep banks that run up from the Sea of Galilee to some higher plateaus. And this is where this situation unfolds.
Also in these mountains around this area, one of the key attractions, even in our day, are the tombs which are found in the cliffs in the areas surrounding the main city Gedara.
And so this is the area that this entire unfolds in.
With that in mind, consider for a moment the extremely sad situation of this man that meets up with Jesus as he steps ashore. Verse 27 says...
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.
Just to briefly point out - there were actually two men that came to Jesus, but Luke really tells the story of the one, and focuses on this particular man… Matthew’s account deals with both men.
The desperation of this man’s plight is immediately apparent. He was a man who once lived in the town. Very possibly he grew up in this area. But somewhere during the course of his life, a came to be possessed by demons, and his life was radically altered such that he could no longer live as a normal person.
Luke tells us that at this stage of his life, he was demon-possessed. Demonic forces of an exceptionally powerful nature had taken control of this man’s body. Later on in the passage, we will see that the name of the demon was Legion, because they were many.
He was overcome by the power of the demons, and had no hope of rescuing himself out of his predicament. Clearly, no one else around him was able to assist either.
The extent of the power of the demon(s) over him is seen in the manner of his conduct. We see in verse 27 that for a long time, he had not worn clothes, or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs.
This is the kind of man that you steer very far clear of!! Running around naked and completely out of his mind. Not living in a house, but living in the tombs. He was a man that was sorely afflicted by a power far beyond him. Very possibly he was a man who struck fear into the hearts of the people due to his insanity.
Notice in verse 29 that we are told that this demon had repeatedly seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and was then driven by the demons into solitary places.
Efforts had been made by people to restrain this man. He was a danger. He was probably a disgrace to the people that lived around there. We can only imagine the man’s family, and how disgraced / ashamed they would have been as a consequence of this man.
But even as they tried to restrain him, he simply broke the chains. Superhuman strength was his, and yet not used for any good whatsoever, but rather in served to torment this man day and night.
And if this wasn’t enough, he suffered alone. The demons would drive the man to solitary places, where he’d experience loneliness and helplessness on his own.
Mark adds that he would take stones with sharp edges and gash his naked flesh with these stones.
His life was an absolute mess!
Dear friends, this man was indeed a picture of one in deep need of mercy. Utterly helpless in his condition. For many years, he lived in this manner. One can only wonder if he didn’t wish that he could die?!
But I do want to consider the picture that this presents for us of the person lost in darkness and sin. The physical picture of the demon-possessed man must remind us and present us with a picture of the sorry state of the man lost in spiritual darkness.
As Satan wields his power over those under his control, they descend into a manner of life that brings nothing but pain, suffering and harm to themselves. Although they are not aware of the condition of their lives, and although they believe that what they do is to their own good and benefit, they do not realise that they are in a desperate state that will ultimately destroy them.
When Jesus commissioned Paul to go out and preach the Gospel to the Gentiles, he gave him a very particular task. According to Acts 26:18, that task was…
Acts 26:18 (NIV84)
18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Dear friends, the fallen world lives in a state of darkness, unable to see. They are living in a manner that is entirely destructive to their personal wellbeing. Certainly it’s not as clearly obvious at all times that this is the case, but it is the case no less!!
Demon-possession was a terrible sentence for this man. The power of Satan at work, blinding the eyes of those who will not turn to God, is no less.
And as this man was powerless over the powerful forces of darkness, so too are those who are lost in their sin. In either case, there is a desperate need for mercy.
With that in mind, let us consider further from our text...
2. The Cries for Mercy (vv.28-32a)
2. The Cries for Mercy (vv.28-32a)
Given the state of the man that approached Jesus, we would imagine that this man himself would have been crying out to Jesus for mercy. Certainly, if he had been able to cry out for mercy for himself, I imagine that he would have done so. But at this stage, so utterly overpowered is this man, that it is not so much him that is crying out to Jesus, but it is in fact the demons themselves.
The demons are the ones that are crying out to Jesus from within the man that they are possessing!! What led to this strange situation?
Notice what promted this speech from the man. At the beginning of verse 29 we read…
“For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man.”
As Jesus had stepped ashore and been confronted by this man, He had issued an immediate command for the demons to come out of the man. It was this command of Jesus to the evil spirit that led this cry to come forth from the man.
In response to receiving a direct command from Jesus, the demons cry out! In fact, they plead for mercy!!
Was the man in need of mercy? He most certainly was!!
This man had lived his life entirely at the mercy of this legion of demons. He had lived a life wherein he was utterly incapable of maintining any control over his body.
Demon-possessed people always needed the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. But was not this man an extreme case?
In the Scriptures, there are various extents to which people are affected by demon-possession. The man in the synagogue in Capernaum didn’t seem to be all that affected. He could attend services there, perhaps even without it being noted that he was possessed. The father with the young boy that was possessed could be fine one moment, and the next, he was thrown down into the fire.
But in this instance, the man is utterly incapable of any control over himself. He’s reduced to being like an animal. The demons have utter control over him. He’s effectively helpless, and at the mercy of the demons.
One of the striking aspects here is that these demeaning, dehumanizing elements would even dare to call out to Jesus for mercy. After what they had done to this man… after all of their affliction of him, would they now be so brazen as to plead for the mercy of Jesus Christ?!
But that’s precisely what they do in this moment!!
Let us be sure that Satan cares little for people. He has no mercy and compassion towards those whom he afflicts. There is no compassion from Satan towards any person. His only desire is death and destruction.
How completely different wasn’t Jesus?!
So, we have this situation where the demons are crying out for mercy.
Significantly, we find that the demons are literally begging him for mercy.
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!”
The demons, in torment, cause the man to shout at the top of his voice!!!
[Take Note: Luke refers here to the legion of demons as a singular force crying out. But it is the demons that cry out, rather than the man.]
Some important things must be noted with their cries...
Firstly, the phrase, “what do you want with me.” This phrase is better translated, “what business do we have with each other...”
Indeed, Christ had come in order to usher in the Kingdom of light, a place where Satan and his demonic forces have no part or place.
15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.
The demons were accutely aware that Christ’s coming into this world, and His coming even to this place, the region of the Garesenes, was an affront to them, and that their freedom was in jeapourdy.
I must make a point of application here. The ways of Satan, and the ways of Christ are in opposition to each other.
The evil of Satan, and the purity and holiness and goodness of Christ, are in opposition to each other.
The hatred, animosity, chaos and disorder brought about by Satan stands in opposition to the peace, mercy and grace of Christ.
We need to see this dear brothers and sisters in our own lives. As those in Christ, although we will always struggle with our bodies of flesh, we are never to be content with entertaining darkness and the works of Satan in our lives. Our deep desire ought to be to banish out of our lives anything and everything that comes from the evil one.
Secondly from what these demons cry, we recognise the absolute power and authority of Christ over the workers of darkness. Yes, light and dark, God and Satan, are opposed to one another. But the reality is that God is exceedingly more powerful than any force of darkness.
The battle being waged is not one of trying to determine who is the more powerful power. That reality is settled, and the demons know it!!
In this verse, the demons cry out, “I beg you, don’t torture me!”
In verse 31, we read these words…
31 And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.
And in verse 32...
32 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.
In all of these instances, the demons are begging Jesus. Three times in these verses we find this phrase. The demons are truly at the mercy of Jesus. They were fearful of the torture that would come upon them.
There are some things that we must take note of in these verses…
Firstly, in verse 30, we find that Jesus asks the demon, “What is your name...” We should immediately understand that Jesus didn’t lack knowledge of the name of the demon. He was perfectly well informed and had understanding. But as he asks the name, it would have prompted a response for the people there - both the demoniac himself, and the people who were witnesses to these events - of the extent of the sorry state of this man.
The response from the demon is, “Legion,” for many demons had gone into him...” The people would now have been more fully put into the picture of why they were so incapable of restraining the man. How serious his condition was. This was not a case of Christ against one demon… but Christ being confronted and opposed by a multitude of demons.
Legion, directly translated, refers to about 6000.... the number of men that formed a Legion in the military. It need not be taken literally in this case, but the clear weight of what is being said here is that this man was very seriously afflicted by a significantly large number of demons!
Further to be considered from this are the cries of the demons…
The first is that Jesus would not send them into the Abyss.
Abyss...a supernatural, unfathomable, bottomless gulf or pit regarded as the antithesis to heaven; most often for the detaining and punishment of demons.
I will touch on this a bit further on in this sermon under our next point. But for the moment, consider that they are pleading with Jesus to not send them to the place of final destruction. They know full-well that he had this absolute authority over them.
Just some points of encouragement from this. We need to recognise that demons have no power and authority over Christ. He was utterly in control of things. The demons shudder at the thought of God. They live in a state of torment over the thought of their final judgment.
The power of Satan when compared to the weakness of man is great indeed. We are not those who possess power and authority over Satan in this sense. He has power that we as mere humans must not trifle and play with.
But compared with the Almighty power of God, compared to the power of Christ, Satan and the forces of darkness are at His mercy!!
We need not live in fear as those who are in Christ. He is not intimidated. He does not lack power over Satan and the demons. His power and authority is absolute.
Notice further that at the end of verse 32, that as the demons beg Jesus not to send them into the abyss, but rather to send them into a nearby herd of pigs, Jesus gave them permission.
The presence of the pigs indicates that this was not a Jewish region of living, but rather a predominantly Gentile region. Although there may have been some Jews, possibly Jews that were greatly influenced by the Greek culture, it really was more properly a region that was predominantly Gentile.
But the most important point of this is to note that the movement of the demons was entirely at the permission and allowance of Jesus Christ. He had absolute authority. They requested permission, and only based on his permission, did they go where he permitted.
We have no idea what actually became of the demons when the pigs drowned, but we won’t speculate… the thrust of the passage is the power and authority of Christ.
This leads us to consider our third main point from this text...
3. The Act of Mercy (vv.32b-35)
3. The Act of Mercy (vv.32b-35)
Two demonstrations of mercy are shown through this text.
The first we have already given at least some consideration to. Jesus gave the demons permission to enter into a herd of pigs, rather than casting them into the Abyss. In verse 32 we read...
32 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.
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.
Even in this instance, Christ in some manner or measure, demonstrates mercy to these workers of darkness.
Now, let us be clear that Christ had the authoritiative power to do as he pleased, but this was not the time for the final judgment of Christ upon these demons. Instead, what Christ was here demonstrating was that he was placing a restraint on evil.
Satan was not at this time to be utterly dealt with in a final manner. This comes out in the parallel account of this event in the gospel of Matthew.
29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
There is a time that has been appointed for the final destruction of Satan and his workers of darkness. It is recorded in Scripture that the demons shudder at the thought of God Almighty. They know that their destruction is certain. Even if people refuse to believe in hell and eternal torment, the demons certainly believe it!!
But their appointed time of destruction was not to be at this moment. And so Christ shows them some small measure of mercy for a time.... or should we rather call it restraint at this time, rather than mercy.
In the interim, Christ is in the process, even now, of placing a restraining force on Satan so that his work and power is severely limited. But we may be encouraged knowing that Christ will one day bring to completion the work of restoration, which will include a final death blow to Satan!
Rev 20 also is relevant.
Matthew 12:22-32 is also applicable here. Christ has restrained the strong man.
Col 2:15 - Christ made a spectacle of the powers and authorities… at the cross.
But while we find this act of restraint by Christ towards the demons, this is not where we should focus our attention primarily. Rather, we are to see the extent of the mercy of Jesus Christ towards a man that was held in utter bondage by Satan.
Having driven out this legion of demons, we find what unfolds as those who witnessed this glorious miracle go and report it to the city.
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.
The striking point that we must take note of here is the condition of the man when the city returns to see and witness the truthfulness of this miracle just performed. Recall that the picture in their minds for as long as they could remember was a man who was out of his mind, utterly deranged and mad.
No matter what they had done in order to restrain him, they found it impossible.
As they approach this place now, however, they see this man sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind.
A complete, radical transformation had taken place in the life of this man. He was not merely restrained, but rather he was entirely transformed. Dressed, and in his right mind. They must have found him some clothes to cover his nakedness, and then having been clothed, he comes and sits at the feet of Jesus. One commentator notes:
Luke 1:1–9:50 (1) Reaction of the Herders and Townspeople (8:34–37a)
In a complete reversal of the previously possessed man’s demeanor, he is now clothed, whereas before he had been naked; he is now seated, whereas before he had been roaming; he is now associating with others as he sits at Jesus’ feet, whereas before he sought solitude; he is now of sound mind, whereas before he had been crying out in a loud voice; he is now comfortable in the presence of Jesus, whereas before he wanted nothing to do with him
The mercy of Jesus Christ had come to this man. By His kind and gracious working, this man once possessed, was radically transformed.
Application…
Christ is able to transform completely the lives of his people.
Lack of transformation in the hearts and lives of the people of God is not for lack of power on the part of God. And I would add, it is not for lack of wisdom either.
We do not always understand why change is so difficult in our lives. We do not always understand why God allows persistent sin in our lives, despite much effort at change.
We may become despondent in our walk with the Lord, asking him to change us, and to make us new people, and then struggling along with sin in our lives that doesn’t seem to want to let us go.
But the reality is that Christ is not short on power to change us. He has the power and authority. He is that ability.
But for His own glory, and even for the good of His saints, He chooses to often work slowly in the lives of His people.
And I do think that slow work is often a result of our own tardiness and apathy in seeking after Him.
But either way, His ways are always perfect in our lives. And we must be encouraged that He is able to transform us! And we must be encouraged that a day is coming in which we will be radically transformed in an instant!
51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
What a glorious and encouraging truth!
Finally, we must consider from our text...
4. The Responses to Mercy (vv.36-39)
4. The Responses to Mercy (vv.36-39)
As we look at the responses in these verses, there are two key responses that I would like to point out…
The first is...
4.1. The Response of the People (vv.36-37)
4.1. The Response of the People (vv.36-37)
We read in Luke 8:36-37 about the way in which the people of the town reacted / responded to this powerful and gracious miracle that was performed by Jesus.
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.
We must notice from this the fact that the truth concerning the healing / exorcism was clearly conveyed. Those who were witnesses to the event took the news to the people of the city, and they described / explained to the people what they had witnessed.
But the response is not one of joy or great awe. Certainly fear was involved. They were afraid - in fact our text says that they were overcome with fear!!
We are not told the precise nature of the fear. The most common suggestion is that they were afraid because already such a massive financial blow had been dealt with the loss of the pigs (Mark tells us that there were about 2000 of them).
That may well have been the case. But even if it wasn’t, would it not have been appropriate for them to have responded, at the very least, with a reverential awe.
Keep in mind that many other miracles had taken place, and usually it evoked a response of awe from the people. They wanted to follow Jesus, even if it was for the sake of being interested in what he was doing.
But here, the people plead with Jesus to leave their area, which he then does.
Application...
It is extremely sad that so often those who are confronted with Christ are compelled to plead with him to leave. When a person is transformed by the Gospel, and suddenly they are different in their conduct and in their manner of life, it is often the family or close friends that doesn’t like / appreciate that Gospel message. They’re confronted by their own sin. They’re afraid of what the implications of religion are.
But ultimately, what they’re truly afraid of is their own need for a Saviour. Instead of dealing with the reality of this, they would rather ask that the Gospel not be spoken of. They would rather not have the word, the double-edged sword, pierce them…
But there is another response...
4.2. The Response of the Healed Man (vv.38-39)
4.2. The Response of the Healed Man (vv.38-39)
The response of the healed man is radically different. He is truly transformed by this experience.
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.
The initial response of the man is that he pleads… begs… Jesus that he can go with him. He recognises Jesus Christ as Lord, and is prepared to go with him wherever Christ goes.
But it’s interesting that Christ denies him this request. Jesus dealt differently with different people. To other people who wanted to follow Jesus...
19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
21 Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
To the rich young ruler, Jesus told him to sell all his possessions, give the proceeds to the poor, and then come and follow him.
In each instance, Christ is addressing heart issues with the people. Or he’s using that moment as a moment to teach the person.
But here, Christ doesn’t just discourage the man from following. It would appear that Jesus knew that this man would truly follow him.
Instead, he tells the man to go and proclaim what had happened. This man would go out and evangelize - tell the good news of what Christ had done for him.
Notice that he wasn’t merely saved from something… but he was saved to something. In other words, he was saved with a view to ministering.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Every person is lost in darkness and in sin. Every person in this world, apart from Christ, is held in bondage to sin and darkness.
But Christ!!
Christ is powerful to save. He has authority, He has the power, He did the work needed for salvation - his own death on the cross.
Call to repentance and faith in him.
Don’t delay… don’t turn away from Christ… ask him to leave. Repent and believe.
Christ is able to bring peace and soundness of heart and mind, even into the most chaotic of situations in our lives, even in those aspects of our lives that appear to be lived so contrary to this ways.
The Gospel must bring change to our lives. Pray that it would bring change. If it hasn’t yet… keep pleading with the Lord, and seeking after Him.
His arm is not too short to save!!