So far in Luke’s gospel, we’ve seen several mentions of Jesus casting out demons. In Luke chapter 8 (also in Matthew 8 & Mark 5), we see a specific instance of this recorded in detail.
We see two themes in this story – fear and hopelessness. The people have tried to control this man before, but he can’t even be bound by chains. They’re powerless to help him, and he’s cast out to live in the tombs. They can’t control him, they can’t help him, but they can manage him. The best they can do is keep him at a distance.
We see that the people also fear Jesus, perhaps more than they fear the demon possessed man. They seek a similar solution…they ask Jesus to leave. They try to distance themselves from him. People will often do the same today when they face fear and hopelessness.
Church, we must remember that God does not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
Power, because we remember that 1 John 4:4 says, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
We also remember Psalm 23 – that even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil. Why? Because God is with us.
Love, because when we are confident in the power of God in us, we don’t fear what people will do to us. Rather than putting up our defenses and creating distance, we can look wickedness in the face with compassion like Jesus did.
Our love drives us to service – For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:13-19
The Bible also tells us that perfect love casts out fear: “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:16-21)
And a sound mind, because when we’re confident in the power of God in us, and act steadfastly in love and obedience to Christ, chaos and confusion cannot reign in our hearts.
