Clothed of Love

The saying "He or she is not in their right mind" is one that most of us have said at least once. We usually reference this to someone who does not make sense with what they are saying or doing, which can be hard to witness, especially if it is someone you care about.

In Luke 8:26-40, we also read about a man who was not in his right mind, but his condition was brought on because he was possessed with demons. The Bible says that when Jesus stepped out of a boat onto the shore of Gerasenes, He was met by a man who was possessed with what the Bible calls a legion of demons. This man walked around town naked, didn't live in a conventional house, but rather lived in tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What do I have to do with You, Jesus Son of the Most High God?" I beg You, do not torment me." He was saying this because Jesus had been commanding the unclean spirit to come out of him. The Bible says these spirits had seized him many times, and it was so bad he had to be bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard. The demons, though, had such strength that he would break free from these bondages and be driven into the desert. The demons, though upon seeing Jesus through this man, we're asking Him not to put them into the abyss, but rather to enter a herd of feeding pigs nearby. So, Jesus commanded these demons to leave this man and enter the pigs, and they did. Though the pigs were filled with these demons, they all ran down a steep bank and drowned in the lake. The herdsman of these pigs saw what had happened and ran into the city, telling all he had seen. People then came from the city to see what, if anything, there was to see what they ended up seeing was that same man clothed and in his right mind sitting at the feet of Jesus, which then made the people afraid. The people who were there from the beginning ended up telling the newcomers all that had happened. Eventually, all the people of Gerasenes and the surrounding district heard, and because of this was, as stated earlier, were afraid. They were so afraid that they asked Jesus to leave town, and He agreed. The man, though, that had been freed from the demons, approached Him and begged that he would be able to go with Him, and Jesus said, "Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you." This man had to have been disappointed that he could not go with Jesus but did as Jesus instructed and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

This story is so incredible, and yet what a sight it had to have been to witness. Imagine seeing a naked, demon-possessed man running through the town and being a threat to not only himself but to others as well. Imagine what the local town people had to also have been through – we know they had to have been scared, or otherwise, they would not have bound this man up. Then along comes Jesus stepping out of a boat, and the first thing He sees and hears is this man, and at that moment, it all ended. Picture Jesus getting out of a boat, and suddenly this man comes up to Him and loudly, the demons inside of this man acknowledge Jesus and in front of all ask that he put them into the pigs! When He did it, imagine what the sight of all those pigs drowning had to have been like – imagine what kind of noises were coming from them. Even that sight had to have brought fear upon the town's people.

The best part of this story, though, is when the others came to see this man who was filled with demons, all they saw was the work of Jesus. They were able to see this man for who he was – just a regular man, a man who needed Jesus's help. At that point, a man was clothed, in his right mind, and sitting at the feet of his Lord- sitting in safety and freedom. It is understandable as to why he asked if he could go with Jesus- wouldn't you? Wouldn't you want to go with the person that had set you free as well? However, Jesus took this opportunity and told this man to go and proclaim all that had been done for him, and he obeyed. After all, the townspeople didn't want Jesus there any more out of their fear, and having this man stay and testify would be wonderful. He went as Jesus had told him to and told the whole city. Imagine how his life had completely changed that day and the freedom he finally felt and experienced – along with the city.

The same is true for most of us. While we may not have ever been possessed, we all have needed Christ to clothe us in His love and forgiveness. Christ for each of us by accepting Him has freely clothed us, and if we will sit at His feet and let our minds be transformed, we will also see great and life-changing things take place within us as well.

We have to remember that Satan is real, does possess and oppress people whether one believes it or not. However, even though Satan is real, we also know so is Jesus Christ. Even though this story, He shows us again how powerful He is and that even the demons themselves recognize it. Another point to remember in this story is that Jesus never attacked this man personally, his character, or even why he was this way.  He did, though, take care of business that was relevant to Satan and his hold on this man, which mattered the most. So, while most of us may not ever see a situation like this, we need to remember we all need Jesus, and through Christ, we are clothed in His love if we choose Him. For those who are experiencing torment in any way, we as Christians are to pray for them. We are to pray against the enemy and his hold on that person, whatever it may be. It's not that it is always possession, but even addictions of the wrong things are not from God but are, in fact, considered a stronghold in one's life and need to be dealt with. Anything is possible through Christ and faith that He will make way for all our needs. Then whatever Christ has set us free from, we are to go and let others know exactly what He did for one who helped them. Perhaps its alcohol or drug addictions- truly, the list is endless, but none the less Christ is the one who sets us free, and each of us needs to be willing to even as this man did go and proclaim to all what He has done for us and how we are clothed in his love- wouldn't you agree?

From Gardens of Splendor by Gina Burns