Demons Among Us

Hearing this morning’s gospel reading, we experience a variety of responses. They range from basic, visual, word pictures to increased sensitivity in understanding demons that plagued the man described by Luke. Listening to this story as many as twenty times in a three-year rotation lectionary, it continues to build my understanding of the drama relative to meaning in our lives today. It becomes more of an “aha” moment for me each time I hear the passage. Repetition of the reading does not increase the number of details in the story, but I absorb more of the description each time.

Jesus’ miracle for the demonic man is relevant today. Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee for a visit in the country district of the Gerasenes, stepped out of a boat, and onto the beach. The location is now in our neighborhood, church, or workplace.

Let us explore some details of this miracle story and its historical and contemporary relationship to us today. Reading other versions is worthwhile to compare different observations of the authors. Recognize this story as an important, miraculous event not to be forgotten. Venture with me to the New Testament land of our religious ancestors and travel with Jesus through Luke’s words.

The area of Gadara is across the sea from Galilee now named the Jordan Valley. Anthropologists studying existing remains estimate the city had a circumference of approximately two miles. Greeks predominantly inhabited the area and surviving structures reflect their culture and architectural style including theaters, baths, and a basilica. There are cliffs nearby with openings where the possessed man probably lived in poverty because people did not want to be near him. The climate is usually temperate but the customary dress code and attire of that day was not naked as Luke describes the man’s appearance when he first saw Jesus.

Although the man exhibited mental anguish and demonic possession, he immediately greeted Jesus as the Son of God. He also expressed apprehension that the unclean spirits would not leave him regardless of Jesus’ command for the demons to “come out.” The spirits were reported to have inhabited the man on more than one occasion and for long periods of time. In early history, this affliction was treated with restraints essentially to protect the possessed from harming themselves or others around him. His physical strength was sufficient to break chains and bonds placed on him followed by repeated escapes in a severely altered state of mind. There were few havens for him to be safe or without reproach. He sought a semi-secluded site in the caves away from the city and the people who were offended by him.

The demons were so numerous when Jesus asked the man his name, he responded “Legion,” a military term used to count a specific number of men in the Roman army. He said this in reference to numerous demons that had entered him. The story described the process whereby Jesus called the unclean spirits out of the man. The demons implored Jesus not to send them to the abyss but to cast them into the herd of swine nearby. “Abyss” in ancient times had connotations of chaos in the universe or even hell and not simply a deep pit. We know from this morning’s reading the demons were sent into the swine caused the animals to flee into the sea where they drowned. That sight impressed the herders greatly. Not only had they lost the animals given to their care, but also the unclean spirits no longer possessed the man. The swine herders hurried to tell others of the miracle they had seen and the man who was healed. When people returned with them to verify the miracle themselves, the healed man was sitting quietly, clothed, and talking with Jesus. Remember for a few minutes what happened next as the man begged Jesus’ permission to travel with the disciples. We will return to our discussion of this miracle and to hear again what Jesus commanded him to do.

This may seem to be a special incident, but we have only to look around us on the street, in a store, at a park, in the library, or other venues to really see the people around us. The demons may not be a legion in number but add up quickly for the person experiencing them. Fear, lack of trust, panic, shame, guilt, depression, loss of dignity or self-esteem, lack of social or work skills, and rejection are just a few of these “demons.” There are additional issues that seem simple but become trying situations especially for the homeless. The image may be matted hair, rumpled or dirty clothes with holes, body odor, bleary eyes, sunburned skin, shuffling in ill fitting shoes with thin soles, and rarely any socks. They might be mute or talking to no one in particular or everyone in general. Some are struggling for existence and wonder why they have failed. Do we look away and hurry by them? Do we engage them visually or smile in their direction, say hello or offer some greeting? Do we consider them a nuisance? Do we ignore their plight or wish they did not exist? These are people with demons and cannot be healed easily. They find limited acceptance within a church community where they do not fit the norm of the congregation sitting in the pew. They appear to have no talent, treasure, or time to offer in return for an hour of corporate worship. They do not possess the funds to give them access to adequate medical care, affordable housing, or a life with stable, standard amenities. Otherwise they must seek daily for their bed and meals or do without. Who is meeting them on the beach to greet them? Where is the miracle and healing? They seek to meet Jesus and may not know the way there because the path is no longer clearly marked for them.

In the homeless dining room there was a regular guest for twenty years named Larry. He owned a van and established his personal system of basic service needs in the early days. For instance, he stopped in the Greyhound depot each morning to wash his face and comb his hair where he would not be especially noticed. He accumulated gas money by selling things he acquired or bargained with others. Occasionally he would offer something to our volunteer staff hoping they might be able to use it and he would suggest a price necessary for him to make ends meet that day. He slept in his van often as an option to nights at a shelter. He could shower and receive clean clothes at the shelter but that was not his favorite place. If he did stay for a worship service and meal, he always let me know how poorly they prepared the food and his certainty the cooks were eating the best things donated while giving the men leftovers. Several years later his van was gone and he began riding a bicycle. He continued riding it but when you stopped to visit with him on the street his attitude was usually negative. He complained about the lack of treatment for what he called “walking pneumonia” and yet he continued to smoke when he could. He was losing control of his life. Larry found himself in more difficult situations and suffering more illnesses. He lacked the needed support services or social amenities. Where did Larry miss meeting Jesus on the beach? Larry is only one whose talents were lost and he was not a drug user or alcoholic. Over time the homeless group included an artist, a writer, a poet, and a musician with no healing or peace for them. They had many misunderstandings and distanced from family and friends--those who could not comprehend the demons that changed the person.

Let us venture to our present time and the occurrence of personal demons that may be problematic. Some of us this morning may have experienced a demon or two in our lives or our families--substance abuse, worry, fear, change in mobility, or health issues. Demons may come and go, vary in numbers and appear much as they did for the man in the gospel. We may offer ourselves to God for relief from the demons and allow ourselves to be healed. When we have faith, hope, and a strong belief in God we will follow that path. Healing may not bring immediate, total relief from the demons that limit our relationship with God, but this is the way to release and peace.

Let us return to the beach with Jesus and the man healed of the unclean spirits. The man requested Jesus allow him to be an emissary and travel with him and the disciples. He was thankful to be free of what plagued him and had made him unwelcome among others. Jesus responded that the man must go back to his own village home and tell them what God had done for him. Thus he became an evangelical as he shared his story of how God healed him. The healed man thanked God for his new freedom.

This is what Jesus tells us also in today’s story from Luke. We should share our joy and thanksgiving with others regarding the gift of our heavenly Father’s blessing in release from demons we have experienced. God is powerful and the possessed man recognized this. We know it is an effort to resist some demons. We can ask our Father to strengthen us. Luke uses a Greek word for healing of the possessed man that can also be translated as being “saved.” We know through grace we are saved. We know the power of God in Jesus through our participation in communion. Jesus met a man on the beach where He healed and saved the demonic man from demon possession.

Remember how blessed we are to be in the presence of God today and offer petitions for healing and peace of our spirits. While we pray for our healing and the healing of those we know and love, also remember to pray for those who walk this earthly journey with us. Pray for those possessed by life-destroying demons and have not yet met Jesus on the beach. Pray for healing and release in peace for anyone who is troubled as Jesus commanded us to love one another. We cannot be indifferent to the calling of our Lord if we are to be the hearts and hands of Jesus in the world. May the peace of the Lord be with each of you this day and always.