Luke 8:26-39
Upon arrival in the Gerasenes, Jesus met a demon possessed man with no home, wearing no clothes,
and living in a cemetery. He fell before Jesus, but the demons cried out, “…’What business do we have
with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.’” (28b). At Jesus
command to come out, the demons begged Him not to be cast into the abyss, but into a local heard of
swine. He gave them permission and the pigs rushed down a steep bank drowning in the lake. As word
spread, many came to see the man healed, in his right mind, and at Jesus feet, “…and they became
frightened.” (36c). Gripped with fear, they begged Jesus to leave and He obeyed their request. The
delivered man begged to stay in His presence, but honored Jesus command to go and tell others what
God had done for him. We should note Jesus made this trip to minister to just one man. Are we
begging for Jesus’ presence or begging Him to leave?