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June 24, 2007 - 4th Sunday after Pentecost
Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite
Galilee. As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him.
For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but
in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the
top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?
I beg you, do not torment me" - for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit
to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under
guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be
driven by the demon into the wilds.) Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?"
He said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. They begged him not to
order them to go back into the abyss.
-- Luke 8:26-31
During Jesus' three short years of public ministry the only ones who
recognized him as the Son of God were the demons he encountered along the way.
How ironic! And every demon he encountered was cast out, bringing new life to
the one afflicted. (Including the man in this story)
It is easy for us to believe that evil has the upper hand these days.
Each day we are encountered with demons that divide us from ourselves and
from one another, deceiving us to believe that evil is more powerful than God.
But it's just not true. Evil may be flashy and powerful, subtle and
deceiving - but God always has a plan for good that will come in God's time.
Remember, when evil seemed to win the day as Jesus hung on the cross God was
at work to destroy the power of evil forever.
We pray: O Lord God, we bring before you the cries of a sorrowing world.
In your mercy set us free from the chains that bind us, and defend us from
everything that is evil, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen
Lessons for the 4th Sunday after Pentecost:
- Psalm 22:18-27
- Isaiah 65:1-9
- Galatians 3:23-29
- Luke 8:26-39
Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible,
copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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