Luke 8:26-40
New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man
26 They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes,[a] 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.
8:36 The
Healing of Spirit, Soul, and Body, DIVINE HEALING. A full range of encounters appears,
manifesting Jesus' healing power:
1)
The Gadarene, delivered from the demonic powers
dominating him, is "healed," freed of evil
powers that countermanded his own rational mind and physical actions.
2)
The
woman with the issue of blood (vv. 43-48) touches the hem of Jesus' garment, and Jesus says, "Thy faith hath made thee whole."
3)
In
v.50, after being told the little girl is dead, Jesus declares: "believe
only, and she shall be made whole."
4)
In
v. 12, as Jesus explains the parable of the Sower, the word "saved"
is used of one’s restored relationship with God through faith.
Luke’s precise account offers a complete
picture of the Savior’s concern to restore every part of man’s life: (a) our
relationship with God the Father, (b) our broken personalities and bondages,
(c) our physical health, and (d) ultimately our rescue from death itself at the
Resurrection. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the whole man.
In Christ,
Playwright Janet Irene Thomas
Founder/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts
No comments:
Post a Comment