Luke 8:37–39

Luke 8:37-39

English Standard Version 

  I can't help but read this passage and feel great sorrow for the people of the Gerasenes.  Jesus was in their midst, and they sent him away because they were filled with fear.  What a missed opportunity -- they could have been transformed the same way this man was.  

  He wanted to go with Jesus, but Jesus had a mission for him -- he was sent to go and share the story of what God has done.  It's hard to hear rejection -- he may have been certain as to what he thought God wanted for him.  But just because God said no to this request, that doesn't mean that God didn't have a plan for his life.  There was a story to be told, and think about how many people might have heard the good news because Jesus sent him to tell the story.  

  How can we tell the story?  How are we sent to say what Jesus has done for us?

Luke 8:34–36

Luke 8:34-36 

English Standard Version 

  People should rejoice at this transformation -- the man had previously lived naked and out of his mind amidst the tombs.  Jesus has liberated him from the forces that held him captive, and gives him the opportunity to rejoin the community.  

  The community sees him sitting with Jesus and they are afraid.  

  People fear what they don't understand, and so perhaps we close our minds to what God might be doing in our midst.  We question what it means to be powerful, what it means to be community, what it means to submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  How will we respond when God calls us?  What does it mean for the community to change?

  The more time we intentionally set aside to hear from God, the more likely we are to respond with openness when God is on the move.  

Sermon on Ephesians 2:11-22 (2-8-2026)

Luke 8:30–33

Luke 8:30-33 

English Standard Version 

  Have you ever felt overwhelmed, like life is throwing 1,000 things at you and you don't have the capacity to handle all of them?

  This man had a legion of demons within him -- not just one.  How could he withstand such pressure?  

  Even though the forces of evil may seem overwhelming to us, they are no match for Jesus.  They recognize the authority of Jesus, and Jesus will act to save us.  I'm reminded of the vision of Jesus as presented in Revelation, with the sword coming out of his mouth and robes dripped in blood.  He comes as victor to deliver us, reminding the world that he is the most powerful force, and he uses that power to deliver us.