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Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 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. 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"—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.) Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" He said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss. 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. 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. When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then 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. Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, "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. (Luke 8:26-39 NRSV)
A good and happy Monday to you dear Friend! I pray the blessings of worship, family time, and fun blessed you in extraordinary ways this weekend. I was dearly blessed by a generous gift of my four daughters and my wife of an Apple Watch. I never expected this and I am blessed! And yesterday after church, dear friends took us out to eat, so a thank you to Bil and Cam for their hospitality and love. And last night, our daughter Carli took Nellie and me out for Father's Day and we had a great supper at a nice restaurant in San Antonio. And today, the 17th of June a certain baby was born to bear my babies years later! Happy Birthday to my darling wife, Nellie! She turns 39. I got word late last night that Barbara Dorff, wife of our former bishop, James Dorff has been diagnosed with uterine cancer and will undergo surgery in Dallas on Friday, June 21st. Jim's also had a bout with cancer and so far after surgeries and treatments is cancer-free, so pray for Barbara and Jim. Pray for one another. Pray for yourselves.
I grew up down the street from Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas. Our street ended right where Jones Auditorium sat. I saw many a concert in that awesome building. Near the auditorium stood the stadium where our beloved Brahmas played on Friday nights, and our beloved Javelinas played on Saturday night. I can honestly say the weekends were the highlights of my week. I especially loved the Javelina games because in those days they never seemed to lose. Each touchdown resulted in the boom of a large cannon in celebration of the score. Sadly, we left that all behind when we left Kingsville in 1965 to make the move to Houston. One of the times we returned for a visit, I remember seeing a sign leading to the dorm that said, "Jesus said, 'Go Hogs!'" I laughed because it's true and it's found in this passage.
Jesus brought life to a man who had had the fullness of life stolen from him. We do not know how it was that he came to be inhabited by several demons, but the outward appearances and his behavior showed a life void of life. He even lived among the dead in the tombs of his city. He knew he was not welcome in the city among the living because his behavior was no longer his but the behavior of a legion of demons.
One thing we do know; demons know Jesus. They fear Him and know they are no match for the Son of God. To hear His voice was an alarm of fear. Notice their shrieks, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me." They strike a deal; they feared returning to the abyss where they came from, and so asked to be able to go into another living creature. They asked to be allowed to enter the pigs in the nearby field and Jesus said it would be alright for them to enter the pigs. Here is where A&I took the liberty to have Jesus say, "Go Hogs!" And go they went. The presence of the demons was more than even a pig could handle and they rushed off the cliff and into the lake where they all drowned. The men in charge of the pigs rushed to town to let them know what had happened. The townspeople found the once demon-possessed man fully dressed and in his right mind and in the presence of Jesus. This scared the townspeople and they asked Jesus to leave. Most folks don't like talking about things like demons and to have a man who can order them around was a frightening thought. Jesus didn't argue; He just got into His boat to leave. The grateful man, now aware of Jesus' love and power, asks to go with Jesus. Jesus instead tells the man to return to his home and declare how much God had done for him among the people of his city. And from being a demon-possessed man to being a free evangelist, goes throughout the city declaring how much Jesus had done for him.
This is the nature of God and God's church. To meet people where they are and share the amazing love and power of God through Christ that can lift them up out of the muck and mire of sin, and to a new life, a life of abundance. To be set free from the bonds of habits and addictions to a new healthy, wholesome life. The stories of most of our churches should include these testimonies of how from near-death, and spiritually void lives, they have been rescued and redeemed by Jesus. The promise and purpose of the right relationship that God offers is still available now for all who seek it. There are still many outside the church who need to hear this message. It should be us who have been rescued to take that message into the streets and homes of the pre-church people and share the Good News with them. The newness of faith can be anybody's; but it falls on us to take it to them.
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for the amazing power of Your Son Jesus Christ. Thank You for saving us and sharing the fullness of life with us. I pray that you would empower us with courage and strength to take the message to those still outside the church. Bring to us an awakening and revival; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Share your testimony with someone today!
Blessing of love,
Eradio Valverde
