What Makes Us Uncomfortable

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.