A man in the grip of great evil
| 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.... 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. (Luke8:26-39) |
Secondly we equally need to know that demonic violence may refer to violent, oppressive and corruptive systems/"empires" of the world that must be overcome to bring healing and liberation to the world. Jeffrey Johns says "The miracle story is not just about a personal exorcism. It is about the promise of God's ability to defeat and re-order the disordered powers that afflict individuals and communities" The demoniac called "Legion," referring to a company Roman soldiers. This strongly suggests that the violent possession of the demoniac refers to the acts of Roman oppression. Demonic possession is a symbol of the oppression of the frail by the powerful. The exorcism breaks the demonic curse that keeps the weak under the dominant violent power of the oppressor. As we see the pigs running toward the lake, we see that even the most violent systems cannot withstand the liberating power of God in Jesus the Christ. This is the same dynamic power that calmed the violent Sea the previous night.
Thirdly, the exorcism of the demons shows that in Christ we will overcome and depose the chaotic and violent systems of the Empires that continue to destroy the lives of the powerless. In Psalm 65:7-8 the psalmist praises God for his power to calm the seas (the metaphor for chaos) and to overcome the power of the violent Empires who were a threat to Israel. The exorcism of the Gerasene Demoniac and the calming of the sea reveals the power of Jesus and his authority to liberate the powerless from oppression by the violent systems of the Empires.
This devotion comes at the time when our students demand free education in their life time. The inability of the government to respond to their demand has resulted in destructive behaviours on the side of the students and security forces. The delay by the government makes the students feel trapped. The violent systems of the Empires leaves the victims violent and in turn the victims are condemned for their actions and are seen to be dangerous and unreasonable.
May the church be encouraged by recognising the hope of Jesus' power and authority as Paul describes it in Ephesians 1:18-23 and be the liberating church that He called us to be.
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Mukondi Ramulondi is the immediate past-Moderator of the UPCSA. He enjoys ministering to the poor, he loves touring, sports specifically soccer and boxing. He loves reading, listening to traditional and African gospel music.
