"Image courtesy of www.HolyLandPhotos.org"The Shore of the Lake of Galilee
As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in a cemetery outside the town. As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell down in front of him. Then he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don’t torture me!”For Jesus had already commanded the evil spirit to come out of him. This spirit had often taken control of the man. Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness, completely under the demon’s power. Jesus demanded, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, for he was filled with many demons. The demons kept begging Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit. There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby, and the demons begged him to let them enter into the pigs. So Jesus gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned. When the herdsmen saw it, they fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been freed from the demons. He was sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. Then those who had seen what happened told the others how the demon-possessed man had been healed. And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them. So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake. The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.
"Image courtesy of www.HolyLandPhotos.org"The Plain of Genessaret (also known as the Region of the Gerasenes in biblical times)
Context: There are a couple of contextual issues we’ll look at before we turn to our study. The first issue is the Jewish purity system which Marcus Borg defines as “a social system organized around the contrasts or polarities of pure and impure, clean and unclean.” Purity issues created division between people. In order to be a part of the community one had to be pure and ritually clean. Simple contact with anyone or anything considered impure rendered a person unclean. The unclean person was ostracized and instantly expelled from the fellowship of the community until they could be declared clean by a priest. By interacting with this "unclean" man, Jesus confronted the purity system in several ways:
- The country of the Gerasenes is across the lake or “opposite” Galilee. This interesting play on words indicates just how far across the boundaries of Judaism Jesus travels in this passage. He “stepped out” into Gentile territory. Gentiles, as a class of people, were considered unclean to the Jew.
- This man is “demon-possessed” which rendered him physically and ritually unclean.
- The man “lived” in the tombs, a homeless man! Anyone who came in contact with the dead was ritually unclean.
- Finally, the swine that had such a prominent and tragic part in this story were unclean animals.
See (Read the Text closely/Examination:) In this movement we pay attention to the story, the characters, and their context. Read the text slowly. How would you describe the scene as it unfolds in your imagination? Consider what you see, hear, taste, smell, and feel … As you read the story, who do you understand … who do you identify with?
Jesus has just calmed a storm on the lake. After rebuking the disciples for their lack of faith they pulled up on shore and are met by perhaps an even more terrifying “storm” in a tortured man filled with a “legion” of many demons. View the story from the perspective of the disciples who have just been through the storm terror. Suddenly a naked man comes running toward you from the direction of the cemetery or tombs. What is your first emotional reaction to this raving lunatic falling at the feet of Jesus screaming at the top of his lungs? How your response to this person change as the story unfolds? What surprises you? What shocks you? What makes you angry? What makes you feel sad? If Jesus were sitting with you right now, what question would you ask him?
Jesus has a conversation with the demons that possess this man. The conversation is begun by the man. He acknowledges who Jesus is by calling him “Son of the Most High God.” Even the disciples don’t always show this kind of perception. What does that say to you? Jesus asks the man to reveal his name and he replies “Legion.” A legion is a number rather than a name. A Roman Legion was composed of around 5,000 men. We begin to get the picture of just how desperate this man is to be free. He no longer even has a name. Perhaps it is the demons who wish to be free? As the war rages on within this demon-possessed man, he is being torn apart from the inside out. Have you ever felt this way? Is your most common war a war fought on from the inside out … or from the outside in? Is there a difference? Does it matter?
Legion begs Jesus not to send them back into the bottomless pit, or the “abyss.” The New Interpreter’s Study Bible Commentary tells us, “In the thought world of the NT, the abyss was the place where disobedient spirits were imprisoned.” Yet by the end of the story, the demons that most wanted to avoid the abyss drown in the lake. Evil is always destructive … the demons beg to enter the pigs which signals death for them. Although this may seem like a rather strange thing for Jesus to do … commentators tell us that Jewish Christians would have had little problem with the destruction of an “unclean” herd of pigs regardless of the hardship on their Gentile owners. What do you think of this? How would you feel to have your entire livelihood destroyed in this bizarre way? Is there a deeper issue here for you? Are you satisfied with this answer?
As you consider the passage from the perspective of the people who have heard a wild story from a bunch of herdsmen, what do you think? Are you one of the ones in the crowd who follows? As you are making your way to see this man who you may have helped to capture and hold down in his worst episodes? When you see this man, formerly insane, now perfectly sane, sitting at the foot of Jesus, what do you think? Why might fear be your greatest emotion? How do you feel? Do you want Jesus to leave … or to stay? Why? How might your life change if Jesus stays? How should we feel at such an outpouring of power?
The man wants to follow Jesus, but Jesus says “no.” Why do think Jesus told the man to go back to his family? What will the man tell them? From your reading of the text, why seems to be the reason it is better that this man stays in his own town? Has Jesus ever healed you from spiritual bondage? Do you have a story to proclaim? Do you proclaim it? Why or why not?
What is the overall message the writer of this story wishes to convey? What do you think the writer is trying to say to his community? Can you hear that message coming through without explanation? What does Jesus want to say to your community?
Judge (Look at your Life/Spiritual Discernment:) In this movement, we are seeking to examine our own lives as we live in community. Keeping the context of the passage and your examination of the text in mind, meditate on these questions: In what ways does this passage speak to our community today? What is the good news we need to hear? How should I view my community in light of what I see? What is God's purpose for the community that takes this passage seriously? Jesus made a difference in the lives of a man, a group of herdsman and an entire community. Are we making a difference in the life of homeless people, people who are mentally ill, people who are in spiritual bondage, ... people? Is that what we are called to do? How does this passage challenge our way of "being" the church. How can we embody and encourage the flourishing of the kingdom of God … wherever we are … in the church and in the world?
How does this passage challenge my attitudes toward people who may act out? What changes do I need to make in ... my behavior, my perspective, my way of thinking or my way of praying in light of what I have learned through this text? What invitation do I hear the Spirit whispering in my soul?
Act (Take action in Light of your Faith/Transformation:) We are called to work so that the reign of God can be realized in the world today. As we work with creativity and compassion, we follow the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Meditate on these questions with the expectation that God will show you how to take action as you sincerely seek empowerment of Spirit: What steps does my community or do I need to take in order to respond to the invitation of God through this story? Who needs to be involved as I work through my thoughts and feelings about this issue? How will changes happen? How can I make this world a better place people who are not quite up to “normal” standards be a part of our community rather than to be ostracized? How can our community support people who want to get “well?” How can we be a part of that healing? What would my life look like if the reign of God were realized in my heart? in my community?
Pray this simple prayer: Dear God, thank you for confronting us when our faith falters and for healing the demons we find in our hearts and in our lives. Amen.
Bible Reflection and Prayer: The second movement of Encountering Jesus is Bible Reflection. Take a deep breath and engage in a time of praying with Scripture called Lectio Divina, which means "sacred reading." You may want to wait a day or two before moving into your prayerful meditation on this passage to let your mind settle. This week we are using the scholastic Lectio Divina method you can find on the Contemplative Outreach Website.
Lectio (Reading) Read the Scripture passage again as if for the first time and listen with the "ear of your heart."
Meditatio (Reflecting) Read the passage a second time and Reflect as you become aware of what touches you, a thought or reflection that is meaningful. Allow yourself a minute or two of silence.
Oratio (Responding) Read the a third time and Respond spontaneously to the word of God. Be aware of any prayer that rises up within that expresses your experience. Allow a minute or two of silence.
Contemplatio (Resting) Read the passage a final time and Rest in God. Pray and allow God to speak in the silence. Allow three or four minutes of silence. Simply "be with" God's presence as you open yourself to a deeper understanding of the Word of God.
As you move from your prayers and go "on your way" take a word or a phrase with you … carry it in your heart to help you stay focused on God's movement in your life ... Peace be with you
Addition: A Sermon by Dr. Heather Murray Elkins on March 25, 2008
Taped at the Women's Ways of Preaching and Worship Conference at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary ... this is a wonderful interpretation of this passage!
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