Week 2 | Thursday

March 8th, 2023

Week 2: Who does Jesus care about?

Jesus & a Demon-Possessed Man

by Janet Nygren

Today’s passage takes place after Jesus calms the wind and the waves in the boat, which we looked at last week. When Jesus and the disciples get to the other side of the lake, they are in Gentile territory, probably even more of an unknown to the disciples than a stormy sea! Try to put yourself in their shoes as you imagine this interaction of Jesus with a demon-possessed man. Begin your time by asking the Holy Spirit to show you again who Jesus cares about.

Read: Luke 8: 26-39

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 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.

30 Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”

“Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31 And they begged Jesus 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 the pigs, 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.

Be Curious

As you think about this setting, what are some reasons the disciples might dismiss this as a place/person appropriate for Jesus to do ministry? What elements would you be uncomfortable with?
What evidence is there for the destructive nature of the demon?
What do you think the people of the region are afraid of? Why do they want Jesus to leave?
How does Jesus demonstrate care for the demon-possessed man and for the region? Besides deliverance, what needs of the man does Jesus address?

Consider:

If you were to translate this situation into our own context, what might it look like?
What areas/people might you dismiss or avoid as potential ministry opportunities? Why?

Converse:

It might be appropriate to begin a conversation with Jesus today with thanksgiving for his love and care for people that goes beyond the borders that we are usually comfortable with. Perhaps you could pray for someone whom you don’t feel comfortable reaching out to, knowing that there are no barriers for Jesus.

Connect:

Do you have any stories about reaching out to or interacting with someone that felt “risky” or uncomfortable for you? What did you learn about yourself, or about God?

4 Comments

Add Your Comment

Nick Tebordo - March 9th, 2023 at 4:42am

As long as they are physically with Jesus, the disciples are ready to go anywhere he leads. This 3 years together must have been amazing! When Jesus ascends to the Father, His followers must learn to depend on the leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit. I remember when Terrie and I were called to Cohoes it was out of our comfort zone. The Spirit clearly led us as we began our life journey. I am so thankful!

Tom Nygren - March 9th, 2023 at 5:42am

Years ago, when we lived in NJ, a man named Chuck showed up at church. He had wheeled himself in a wheelchair nearly a mile to get there. So after church I offered him a ride home. This began a complex, very challenging, relationship that lasted over a year. It turned out Chuck was dying of HIV/AIDS. Eventually, he did die. But along the way he met Jesus and I am confident we will be reunited one day in heaven. Chuck was way outside my comfort zone. But getting to know him was a powerful, life-changing experience that I am profoundly grateful for. Jesus has such compassion for people like Chuck and the man in today's story.

Melody - March 9th, 2023 at 5:58am

This story is one I've heard and read many times, but this is the first time anyone explained that the setting was in Gentile territory. Now the pigs make sense!

It reminds me of New Orleans, where we visited only once. AJ was really not a fan--he had an uncomfortable feeling the whole time we were there (maybe because we had to call AAA to get the keys out of the car, but that's another story ðŸ˜†).

I was fascinated by the graves all sitting on the ground, instead of being properly buried, but definitely in a creepy, scary-movie way. Something about the spirit of that place felt heavy and "unclean".

This must have been how the disciples felt in the Gerasenes, but still, they stood with Jesus. It's my prayer to always stand with Jesus, even in places or with people that make me personally uncomfortable.

Janet Nygren - March 9th, 2023 at 7:29am

For a modern equivalent, my mind goes toward the homeless, who are often dealing with mental illness as well. But even as I say that, I realize I am lumping together a whole variety of people into one category which doesn't reflect their individual stories and struggles. My fears reflect what others have said before--that involvement feels scary because it will demand too much of me. One interesting aspect of this story is that Jesus takes care of this man, but doesn't then adopt him for life--he sends him back to his own community where he must have a family and others who know him. Jesus must have known what was best for him, whereas I get stuck on what I think is best for me. Lord, help my unbelief!