Brent Kuhlman

+ Jesu Juva +

St. Luke 8:26-39

Who is this Jesus?  And what’s He up to?  The answer is very troubling for some.  The answer may just do a Fear Factor to you.  You might not want Jesus in your neighborhood, on your property, or above all near your livestock or pets.  For some people Jesus is quite a threat.  Who knows what He’ll do to you!  The Gerasene people are quite adamant:  “Get lost Jesus!  You’re not welcome here!”

For Jesus is the Lord God.  And He’s come to do battle.  A fierce one.  He’s at war.  It’s not pretty.  And like the Gerasenes you may not have the stomach for it.  You, like the Gerasene people may claim that you can’t afford having Jesus stay. 

What’s the war?  What’s the battle?  It’s the Lord Jesus Christ versus the old evil foe, Satan himself.  Satan, who’s dedicated himself to lead us and the world away from Jesus.  He makes hay out of our sin through 24-7-365 accusations.  Takes advantage of our sinful condition to mock Christ as a nothing before our eyes.  Satan calmly and rationally speaks:  “This Jesus is a fraud.  He’s making plans to suffer and die!  Christ’s aren’t supposed to die!  You can’t run the world or your life on forgiveness alone!  Your congregation will die if it’s only about Jesus for the forgiveness of sins!  Free forgiveness?  Then people will do whatever they want.  There’s no incentive to improve your serve or make the world a better place!” 

And yet here Jesus is.  In the region of the Gerasenes.  Taking on Satan.  Forgiving sin.  Binding the old evil foe. It’s the Light versus  the prince of darkness.  Heaven against hell.   

Behold the battle!  Who will win? 

A wild man roams the Gerasene cemetery.  Living in and among the tombs.  Desecrating them.  He’s possessed.  Demon possessed.  Loads of demons torment him.  He calls himself “Legion.”  

Go ahead.  Hand cuff him.   Shackle him.   Wrap chains around him tenfold.  Post guards.  Try to get him under control.  Try to police him or domesticate him.  Do all that you can.  It won’t do a bit of good.  The demons take control of him and he’s fifty times worse than a pro wrestler on steroids.  He breaks the chains, manacles, and fetters like they’re cheap Wal Mart made in China elastic waistbands.  You are helpless to stop him!  Legion runs wild.  Nakedly ferocious.  From cemetery to the desert.  From wasteland back to the graveyard where he roams from tomb to tomb.  Get in his way and who knows what he might do to you!

Then the Lord Jesus shows up.  Faces Legion.  Mono y mono.  Mono y Legion.  Legion collapses.  Right in front of Jesus.  And he shouts:  “What do I have to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I beg you, do not torment me!  I beg you, don’t cast me into hell!”

There you have it.  Legion is trumped.  The gig is up.   

For Jesus, the Son of the Most High God has come!  Engages the devil and his minions!  He will crush the serpent’s head.  That’s Calvary.  Good Friday.  The Cross. 

But for now, the Son of the Most High lets the demons occupy a herd of unclean pigs.  Down the slope they go.  Right into the lake.  All of those poor hogs drown.

Meanwhile, here sits our wild cemetery man at Jesus’ feet.  Healed.  Composed. In his right mind.  Neatly dressed.  The exorcism worked.  Jesus restores him.  Back to his family.  To be a son, a brother, a husband, a father.  There the Lord puts him to good use.  For the sake of others.    

And everyone trembles.  Why?  Because here the Gerasenes see who Jesus really is and what He’s really up to.  The Son of the Most High God He is.  Binding the devil.  Undoing his wicked deeds.  Bringing healing and forgiveness.  Restoring a man to his family.

Do not fear!  Jesus is the Savior.  You’re not.  He’s taken care of you too.  The crucified and risen Son of the Most High God came to you in your Baptism.  He commanded Satan to keep his reptilian claws off of you.  He cast the old dragon out of you.  And now the Son of the Most High God possesses you.  You’re His.  His put His Name on you.  He’s given you His Holy Spirit.

Now you have the right mind and heart of faith.  Faith only in Jesus who is your Savior.  You are forgiven.  You have passed from death to life.  From darkness to light. 

Do not fear.  Satan is bound.  The dragon’s accusations against you hold no weight before God.  The Son of the Most High God has not come to torment you.  He has not come to send you to hell.  You are died for.  You are baptized.  Your life is realigned.  He has good use for you too.  To live in a family.  To love.  To serve.  A family in which you too can gladly confess:  “Jesus, Son of the Most High God, He’s the Savior.  He has done great things for me.  And for you.” 

In the Name of Jesus.  Amen.