26 And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. 27 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not. 29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) 30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. 31 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. 32 And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.
33 Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked. 34 When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. 36 They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed. 37 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. 38 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him. (Luke 8:26-39 KJV)
Jesus Heals a Man with a Demon
After calming the storm, Jesus displayed his power over demons. After the storm, they landed in the region of the Gadarenes (Luke 8:26-27), where he met the possessed man. Jesus had crossed the sea through a storm for this very purpose.
We learn much here about evil spirits. First, they are numerous. The demons called themselves “Legion” because many had entered the man (Luke 8:30), perhaps gathering in anticipation of Christ’s arrival for one final stand.
Second, they are hostile to human well-being. The man wore no clothes and lived among tombs (Luke 8:27), stripped of basic human dignity. Evil spirits rob people of what makes life livable.
Third, they are strong and uncontrollable. Though bound with chains, he broke them and was driven by the demons (Luke 8:29). Those governed by Satan resist all restraint, even from those who love them.
Fourth, they dread Jesus. When the man saw him, he cried out, fell before him, and said, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torment me!” (Luke 8:28). They knew he had power to send them into the abyss.
Fifth, these spirits are completely under Christ’s authority. They begged him not to send them into the abyss (Luke 8:31). What comfort to know all the powers of darkness are under Christ’s control.
Sixth, they delight in destruction. Since they had to leave the man, they asked permission to enter a herd of pigs (Luke 8:32). Jesus allowed it, and the pigs rushed into the lake and drowned. Satan’s intent is always to destroy, whether people or property.
Seventh, when the devil is cast out, a person is restored. The man was found sitting at Jesus’ feet, clothed and in his right mind (Luke 8:35). Under Satan, he was tormented and wild. Under Christ, he was peaceful and sane. We are never more truly ourselves than when we belong to Jesus.
The miracle had different effects on different people. The herdsmen spread the news (Luke 8:34), likely to stir resentment. The people came, saw what had happened, and were afraid (Luke 8:35-37). Rather than rejoicing at the man’s healing, they were upset about losing their pigs. They asked Jesus to leave, and he did. Those who value material wealth more than spiritual deliverance risk losing Christ’s presence altogether.
The healed man, however, wanted to go with Jesus (Luke 8:38). But Jesus told him to go home and declare what God had done for him (Luke 8:39). Sometimes, the best way to serve is to stay and witness to others. By remaining, he could testify to Christ’s power among people who had rejected him, becoming a lasting sign and reminder of God’s grace.