Monday, February 29, 2016

Today’s Reading  |  Luke 8:22–39
One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they put out, and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. They went to him and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?” 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. (NRSV)

Reflection
How odd: instead of praising and thanking Jesus for relieving a man of his extreme mental and physical suffering, the witnesses and others were filled with fear. The transformation was just too overwhelming, and so Jesus was asked to leave.

We are told that this demon-possessed man was without clothing or shelter, hand and foot chained, and kept under guard. Sounds like a miserable existence, trapped by abhorrent conditions.

It seemed easier to keep the status quo and watch the man suffer with his demons instead of rejoicing and supporting him in his transformation.

How many of us are too fearful to change and face our own demons? Is it easier to enable or tolerate the demons in our loved ones? Is the thought of letting go and being transformed into a new way of living too overwhelming? In what ways do we ask Jesus to leave?

Prayer
Dear Lord, when we face our “demons,” help us through our fear of change and the unknown. Remind us to invite you to stay and praise you for your power to transform us for the better. Amen.

Written by Jeannine Forrest, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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