A Pig's Tale

A Pig’s Tale – Luke 8: 27 - 39

Intro: This is the longest demon possession story in the New Testament. It is considered to be a “healing” story because Jesus heals the man from his possession by many demons. This is not exactly what we expect to read in a “healing narrative” from the Bible.

I Not only is this the longest demon possession story, it is so full of theological illusions and themes on which I could preach numerous sermons, or at the very least a very LONG one. However, let me concentrate on certain key verses.

A VS. 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.” That introduction certainly encourages a person to read on.

B The story begins with a naked man yelling at Jesus. The very next verse gives us a clue about the identity of the man. He calls Jesus “Son of the Most High God” terminology used only by a pagan or a Gentile.

C Luke’s use of location and terminology raises the stakes beyond just another healing story. The scene is set in such a way as to introduce the power and ministry of Jesus to the Gentile/pagan world.

II VS. 29. Demonstrates the extent of Legion’s condition. “. . . Many times it (the impure spirit) 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.” Regardless, VS. 30 – “Jesus asked him. ‘What is your name?’” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him.”

A “Legion” was a military term used by Rome to indicate a powerful division of the army consisting of about 5 to 6 thousand men.

B I think Luke used the word “legion” intentionally. The Jews were seeking a Messiah who would cast out the Roman occupying force from their land and they would be free to govern themselves.

C Is this Luke’s way of saying, if Jesus could control all those demons, he might also be able to take control of all the Roman forces and either banish them or destroy them as he did the pigs?

III This brings us to VV 32 & 33, the introduction of the pigs. Luke could just as easily used sheep, goats, or even cattle. Instead, he turns it into a pig’s tale.

A Jews were prohibited from eating pork because it was seen as “unclean.” That is not difficult to imagine, especially if you have ever seen in person how pigs live and behave.

B Gentiles and Romans had no such dietary constrictions. This herd of pigs was probably being kept to feed the Roman soldiers or the Gentile population. Killing the herd would impact the food choices for both.

C If you have seen the Wizard of Oz, you know when Dorothy throws water on the Wicked Witch, the witch melts. --- An interesting fact is that pigs can swim. However, Ancient Middle Eastern beliefs about demons said evil spirits could not survive in water. The same is true of our belief that in the water of baptism sins are washed away and the baptized person is a child of God forever.

Concl: There is much more packed into this story. But, let us turn to our own situation. We know there are things that act like demons placed in OUR lives such as alcohol, drugs, and behavioral addictions. There are things which kill both body and spirit wreaking havoc on the victim, families, friends, and society.

Perhaps you feel like you are being torn apart by many “demons” thinking to yourself, “Lord, I can’t handle another burden.” Or “I can’t stand this anymore!” Or “Why me, Lord?” If so, you should be able to identify with Legion. That which seems like demonic possession today can drive a person away from God, alienate them from others, causing them to lose sight of who they are meant by God to be.

Yet, sometimes we prefer the troubles we know to the changes we do not know or want to make. --- This pig’s tale assures us that no one is beyond the reach of the redeeming love of Christ Jesus. The simple truth in this pig’s tale is: there is nothing, no demon or situation, too powerful for God to overcome.