INTRODUCTION
In my opinion,
I think we can boil those that make us uncomfortable down to,
basically two kinds of people -
CRAZY people and NAKED people.
In Luke 8:26-39, we see that Jesus met a man who was both. CRAZY and NAKED.
“ And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not. (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them. Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked. When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country. Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed. Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.
Let’s join in and be one of the Disciples today ……
In verses 19-21, JESUS CONFRONTED BY HIS EARTHLY FAMILY.
A close reading of this account in all 4 of the Gospels,
tells us that Jesus’ family was planning a intervention.
They thought He was crazy and were looking to intervene
and put Him away somewhere.
They thought Jesus was out of control.
I’m thinking that would be fairly scary thing to have to face.
If His family thinks He is crazy, should I reconsider my position?
I certainly don’t want to be following a crazy leader!
Kind bad for the resume………
Then in verses 22-25, we see Jesus and the disciples (including us)
sailing across the Sea of Galilee.
JESUS CONFRONTED BY A STORM
But a storm came up on the lake. They hit suddenly…!
The boat began to fill up with water (they were sinking).
These fishermen were afraid for their life.
Jesus was asleep.
Being awakened by the disciples, JESUS HANDLED THE STORM
He rebuked the wind and water - There was immediate calm.
Pretty scary situation to face, huh?
(Storm, Dark, Wind, Boat Sinking – Gee!)
When we finally get to the other side of the Sea of Galilee,
Finally get solid land under our feet again.
JESUS CONFRONTED BY A CRAZY, NAKED man. V28
He came running directly at them!! Screaming like a Banshee!!
Running out of a nearby cemetery!!
Our nerves are frazzled from the Storm, (wind, dark, sinking)
And we are met by this – this – person……
I believe I’d be waiting in the boat – ready to sail, anchors away!!
Yes, I’d be terrified – but let’s look at how did Jesus handled it?
This man was known in the area – and terrified the locals.
V29 – JESUS CONTRONTED BY THE DEMONS
The demons had control of the man.
The townspeople had tried to tie him up.
with chains, fetters (ropes) –
but the demons gave him super strength to break free.
The townspeople couldn’t do anything to help the man.
Sometimes the demons would force the man into the desert.
The townspeople couldn’t do anything to protect themselves or him.
V28 –
The demons recognized Jesus, they called Him by name (Jesus)
The demons recognized Who Jesus was (thou Son of God)
The demons recognized they were under judgment (torment me not)
The demons recognized they were under judgment by Jesus (besought him)
The demons recognized the result of their judgment (cast them into the deep)
GREAT - Jesus’ family wants to put Him away.
We almost died from a Storm (wind, darkness, sinking).
And now Jesus is conversing with Demons in a Crazy, Naked man.
It just keeps getting better and better …….
V29-33 JESUS HANDLED THE DEMONS
Jesus commanded the demons to come out of the man.
They didn’t want to be sent into the abyss (the deep)
That’s their final judgment – for all eternity – and they know it.
AND they know Jesus is their Judge.
AND they know it’s not yet time for their judgment.
BUT they know they have to obey Jesus.
V32 –
The demons asked to be allowed to enter into the swine.
An unclean animal – ceremonially and designated as unclean by God.
Why were the people herding swine? – unclean to the Jews.
The Jews couldn’t eat swine (pork chops, bacon, sausage, etc.)
The Jews couldn’t even touch the swine (they would become unclean).
V33 –
Jesus allowed them to leave the man (as commanded – and they MUST obey)
The demons entered into the unclean swine.
The demons then forced the swine to run down the hill into the lake.
thus killing (drowning) ALL the swine.
No income for the owners –
No food to be sold -
No future little piglets –
No current or future income.
The owners are wiped out – out of business.
V35 – JESUS HANDLED THE CRAZY, NAKED MAN
When the owners found out, they were upset (to say the least)
Now that the Crazy, Naked man is taken care of…..
Now they worry about their income / or lack of income.
V37 –
Not just the owners, but everyone in the area of the Gadarenes,
wanted Jesus to leave the area.
Jesus was bad for their business (unclean business).
Never mind that Jesus had taken care of their Crazy, Naked man business
Let’s go back to v35……
This crazy, naked man who terrorized the whole area
Is sitting at the feet of Jesus – in his right mind (demons gone)
He is even clothed.
No longer Crazy, Naked, Demon-possess problem.
The one who terrorized the community – is healed.
No longer an outcast, but someone of benefit to the community.
V38-39 –
Jesus is taking His leave of the area.
Jesus doesn’t stay where He isn’t wanted!!
The healed man wants to stay with Jesus – wouldn’t you?
But Jesus sends him back to his regular life.
With a marvelous testimony.
He could and would tell what Jesus had done for him.
“And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city
how great things Jesus had done unto him.”
V40 –
Jesus returned from across the Sea of Galilee
and this crowd gladly received him.
While He was gone, they had been waiting for His return.
Looking for Him to come back from a far-away land.
Do we understand that Jesus left where He was, (west side of the lake)
To cross the Sea of Galilee (east side of the lake)
Survived a bad storm that almost killed them –
for ONE crazy, naked, demon possessed man!
Just one.
Jesus didn’t do anything else while there. (except send demons into pigs) Jesus would (and will) go out of His way for – JUST ONE.
For YOU – For ME. Amen!!
CONCLUSION
Listen –
Today I will meet people
that will make me uncomfortable.
Maybe not CRAZY and NAKED (I hope!)
How do I respond?
“How do I introduce this person to Jesus?”
Today I will have circumstances
that will make me uncomfortable.
How do I respond?
"How do I introduce Jesus into this moment?"
Rather than focus on my comfort or my discomfort
– Let’s give ‘em Jesus!
