What is your name?

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Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time 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 desert.)

Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him. And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.

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Just a few hours ago the fearful disciples marveled at how Jesus, with a word, calmed the wind and the waves that were threatening to capsize their boat. And now, as soon as they touch land, the Son of God is tested once again by the forces of darkness. What a terrifying site this demonized man must have been to those present. Yet I imagine that the Lord saw him through eyes of compassion. I wonder what it must have been like to hear Jesus talk to the demons?

Some feel that reports of demons in the gospels were merely instances of people who suffered with some sort of mental illness as many of the symptoms of demonization resemble illnesses like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other psychoses. Yet this one seems different in that "Legion" existed apart from the man and, when cast out, caused a herd of swine to die. Either way, the disciples now know that Jesus has power over both natural and supernatural forces.

I am in awe of your power Lord Jesus. I fall at your feet in worship. You are God.

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