Luke 8:26 Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me"— 29 for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) 30 Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" He said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. 31 They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss. 32 Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. 34 When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. 35Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 36 Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. 37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenesasked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. 38 The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.
"You're only as good as your last _________" fill in the blank. Sermon. Interview. Recital. Etc. God is always good. God has always been good in my life and I don't measure God's performance by the last blessing or the last miracle in my life. I measure my being alive as a great blessing from God. I measure my having faith in God as a great blessing. Yet, the Bible and life today, is filled with those who only speak about God is when they have either left Him or need Him. I have been guilty of that in my life, too, but I strive towards giving thanks for all things and in all things.
This is the story of a man who had a lot to be thankful for. The picture of his life when we meet him is sad. Filled with multiple demons, living among the dead, naked, not wanting contact with people, and Jesus comes into his life. The power of Jesus over the demons sets this man free. It came with a cost, for a herd of swine was lost in this act of deliverance, and those who lost their investment asked Jesus to leave. The man now free to do as he pleases, chooses to leave with Jesus. Jesus instead sends him home with this message, "Declare how much God has done for you." And he did.
God has shared with us good news. God has given us new life. God has promised us victory over sin and death. The question is, what have we done about it? Why do we keep it to ourselves? Many have yet heard and some may just be waiting for us to tell them.
PRAYER: Loving God, speak to our hearts and remind us of all the good You have done. And give us the courage and the wisdom to share with those who have yet to hear. We pray in Christ Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
