“A diversity of responses”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Monday, October 10, 2022
Luke 8:26-39 (Forward, p. 73) CEV p. 1068
Here, in today’s Scripture account, Jesus has delivered a man of the host of demons that had hitherto possessed him. And what a change this must have been for the man—and what a relief. Prior to this, the man had not been in his right mind, but had been ‘taken over’ by this alien force. This force had tortured him in many ways, erupting at times into violent rages and fits, so strong that he could not be restrained by chains or leg irons, or forcing him to desert his fellow human beings and live in deserted lonely places like graveyards, where he sat lonely, forsaken and totally naked. We do not know whether he had moments of sanity when he was aware of what state was in, or not. But oh, what a terrible existence this must have been for him: more an animal, a beast, than a human!
And then, with just a word from Jesus, he is set free. And the response of his one-time neighbours? Relief, no way. Thanksgiving that their ‘friend’ was now released from his personal hell? No way. Praise to Jesus, no way either. No, they were frightened, no, terrified. Maybe it was because of this ‘raw power’ that they had now glimpsed in Jesus; maybe because they wondered where it might ‘break out’ next or how it would be manifested next. Or, something that I have often wondered about is whether the loss of part of their economic base in the loss of this large herd of pigs might also have had something to do with it. Economics, sad to say, can often be quite a strong personal motivator, especially when it comes to a loss of one’s livelihood or economic base. Anyway, the townspeople beg Jesus to leave the place.
The formerly possessed man, however, had an entirely different reaction. He immediately wanted to leave home as well and go with Jesus. But Jesus, unlike His reaction to Mary Magdalene, whom He also delivered of demons, told him to stay put, to stay in that same community, as a witness and lasting testimony to what God had done for him. And, indeed, what a witness this was: the man went all over town, telling the people there about everything that Jesus had done for him.
So, what is our reaction to what Jesus has done, for us, or for others? To keep quiet about it, basically telling Jesus to go away and stop upsetting the proverbial ‘apple cart’ of our tidy, predictable, settled lives? Or, to be living witnesses, by word and by deed, of who Jesus is and what He has done? To be living embodiments of His incredible good news? So, how will we respond? The choice is ours. Amen.
Forward notes: “The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, ‘Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you[” (verses 38-39a).
“I greet my friend at church or Brotherhood of St. Andrew meetings or at our bimonthly coffee, and when I ask how he’s doing, he often replies simply, ‘Better than I deserve.’ It’s not trite, and he’s not being a smart aleck. His response is sincere and appreciative. Among his other characteristics is his humble willingness to be present with those in and around the church, quietly setting an example, building a ramp, reinforcing steps, asking after another’s health. Though he might argue with me, I think he’s naming his sense of peace in Christ and in the world, declaring, as the man freed from the demons was told to do, to ‘return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.’
“Underlying the gospels and other New Testament writings, the loving—and sometimes challenging—message from Jesus is to go, to go out and to declare.”
MOVING FORWARD: “When was the last time you declared how much God has done for you? If it’s been a while, commit to a new attitude of thankfulness for God’s good work.”