Kingdom Authority
Opening Prayer
Thank You, Lord, that nothing in all creation will be able to separate me from Your love.
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. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Who are the participants in this story?Once again Jesus is demonstrating his authority, showing that he is both God and man. Here, he exercises authority over demonic powers. The many demons possessing this man instantly recognized Jesus (28). They knew their destiny, the Abyss (31) that John later writes about in Revelation 9:1-11 and 20:1-3. That’s their ultimate fate; at this stage they are not destroyed but are still subject to Jesus’ authority. The man is set free from their power (35). Demons are still active today, destroying lives and distorting truth. In any situation where demonic activity is suspected, Christians should recognize that Satan has power–but Jesus’ power is greater (1 John 4:4). Focus on Jesus. “Submit yourselves. . . to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (Jas. 4:7). Although Jesus’ priority in the Gospels is to reach the Jews, he is also extending his ministry into Gentile territory (Gerasenes was a Gentile region). Jesus tells the man who has been cured to go home and tell what God has done (39)–so Jesus became known to Gentiles, too.
Apply
In what ways have you been set free? Ask God to give you opportunities this week to share what God has done for you.
Closing prayer
Lord, You have liberated me from every enemy that I might live to praise You.
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