31. Demonized

[Pastor Ralph]

Please share your thoughts on one or more of the questions in this lesson. 

[Katy]

Q1. From this lesson I have learnt that there are varying degrees of demon possession from a sinful habit, or thought to an addiction to being possessed by a single demon or being totally demonised by many demons. Some mental illness may be as a result of demon possession. It is not a phenomenon that is readily accepted today. Demons know and recognize who God is unlike many people today.  Demons make life miserable for people whether they are afflicted with a temptation, addiction or full possession. Demons are terrified of the abyss.
Q2. I think if people apologize when there is a small response to an outreach event it is usually more to do with the effort and possibly expense that has been incurred to make the event happen! Every single person is precious to Jesus, therefore if just one person is saved it is wonderful! We don’t know what that person may do for Jesus in bringing people to Him! In this passage of scripture it’s a great example to us not to be content with each single person won to Christ. We see here all the effort Jesus went to in order to deliver one man in great need. It is a great lesson.

Q3.I learnt that demons can possess pigs, that had never dawned on me before. Pigs were considered the right animal for the demons to possess because Jews regard pork as being unclean and do not eat it. The fact that the pigs were drowned shows us the power of the demons. 
Q4.For the first time in a long time the demon possessed man felt loved and cherished by someone. Jesus was the first person who had come near him and been interested in him wellbeing for a very long time. The man just wanted to be with Jesus who he knew loved him and he wanted to follow him. Jesus however had other plans for his life . He needed to stay in his home town and be a witness to those who had rejected Jesus and had no time for Him. He also needed to be accepted by his townspeople and gradually weaned back into normalcy. As he lived among his people he was a living witness to the love and power of Jesus to the Gentiles as well as the Jews.

Q5.The mans nakedness shows us how badly possessed he was, he had lost all sense of dignity so much so that he wasn’t even aware of his nakedness. When Jesus cured him, he would have been conscious of his nakedness and so Jesus gave him clothes to wear. Jesus went across the Sea of Galillee just to reach this man. Jesus knew what He was doing and what He was going for so I am sure He came prepared by having a few extra garments with Him. Another possibility is that Jesus gave Him a garment of His and one or two of His disciples followed suite. 
Q6. Jesus must be devastated he has come all the way to their town and they are upset at the loss of the pigs and appear to blame Jesus. They ask Him to leave the town. And this is what is happening today so many close their hearts to God and just want Him to go away so they can continue their sinful lives. But Jesus is merciful He leaves the man he has set free to be a constant witness of His love and power. 

 

[Irmela]

1.  If we take this account seriously, what does it seem to teach us about demons? (Realize that our view of demons may be more influenced by sermons we have heard or movies we have seen than by the text of Scripture. Let's stick to the text here in Luke 8.)

Demons need to be in some kind of being to operate. They can be one or many together. They take possession of whatever live thing they indwell and make it do terrible terrorizing things. Harm itself. 

In this passage we find that the man was held down by chains and that did not help. He broke them. He was wild and terrorized the district. 

The man was naked. He had lost all sense of dignity. The demons made him be what he was not meant to be. 

The demons recognized and knew who Jesus was. 

The demons are terrified of the abyss. 

2.  Why do we feel we need to apologize helping just one person like Jesus did on this occasion?

We seem to think when much effort is made to have an outreach it is good to be rewarded with many converts. 

But ..... SEED  ...    has been sown. We do not know the actual result. Only God knows the real result. Many times a mass response is only like that because one follows the next one. It is not a genuine response.  

One genuine response is actually better than many responses but none being genuine. 

3.  What do we learn from the account about the pigs that we wouldn't have known if they hadn't been mentioned?

We learn that demonic activity can also be among animals. It does not necessarily have to be among humans only. 

4. Why did the healed man want to go with Jesus? Why didn't Jesus let him?

He felt comfortable, loved and accepted by Jesus. Jesus had healed and saved him from something horrible, in fact a life of demon possession. 

Jesus knew that he needed to be accepted by his own people, who had in the past tried to control him, but had failed. Everyone knew about him and his testimony was first hand now. All could see that he was now normal. The townspeople also needed to accept him and help him adapt to his new life. 

5.  Where did they find clothes to clothe the healed man, do you think? Why does the story mention the man's nakedness?

The clothes could have very likely been his own clothes that had previously been discarded and were lying in one of the tombs. 

It is suggested in the reading that Jesus gave him clothes and possibly those with Him. We are left to guess. 

6.  How does Jesus react to the rejection of the townspeople of the Garasenes?

He accepts  it and leaves. He realizes they are un shock and totally paralyzed by fear. There is no cursing the people because of it but total acceptance that it was like that. Then, so awesome, He leaves the healed man to tell of what was done for him. 

[hanks]

1. If we take this account seriously, what does it seem to teach us about demons? (Realize that our view of demons may be more influenced by sermons we have heard or movies we have seen than by the text of Scripture. Let's stick to the text here in Luke 8.)

From this passage of Scripture in Luke 8 we notice that demons are supernatural beings, Satan’s messengers and are powerful and destructive. They are still active today as they attempt to prevent our relationship with God. They recognized Jesus and His authority immediately, and believed that He is the Son of God with great power to command them; they believed in a future judgment and in the existence of a place of torment (the abyss) to which Jesus could send them; they believed in prayer, for the demons begged Jesus not to send them to the abyss. They had indwelt this man, controlled his thoughts, speech, and behavior – even causing the man to be extremely violent.

[hanks]

2. Why do we feel we need to apologize helping just one person like Jesus did on this occasion?

One gets the feeling that there is more concern here for the loss of the 2000 or so pigs than for the salvation of one human being. Also, if our outreach program had only helped one person, we tend to think that it wasn’t very effective, and wonder if it was worth it at all. Yet Jesus said, “There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent” (15:7). To our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, each and every soul that is saved is most precious.

[hanks]

3. What do we learn from the account about the pigs that we wouldn't have known if they hadn't been mentioned?

Jesus was in the region of the Gerasenes which is southeast of the Sea of Galilee, location of the Decapolis. These were Greek cities that belonged to no country and were self-governing. The account of the pigs tells us that this must have been a Gentile region, since Jews would not have raised pigs because of the Jewish religion’s labelling them unclean. The Gentiles had no such aversion.

[hanks]

4. Why did the healed man want to go with Jesus? Why didn't Jesus let him?

It was natural for the healed man to want to go to be with the Saviour. I can only imagine how he must have felt. He had been healed. He had found a wonderful Saviour and he wanted to be with Him always. But Jesus said, "Return home and tell how much God has done for you” (8:39). Sometimes Jesus told those whom He had healed, not to tell anyone about the healing. There was a danger in Jewish areas, as His popularity increased, that the Jewish leaders would not only try to prevent Him teaching, but that they also planned to kill Him. Jesus knew the man would be an effective witness to those who knew his previous condition and could attest to the miraculous healing. So, He urged this man to return to his family and tell them what God had done for him. The reason being that here in Gentile territory, there was little danger that people would try to stop the Lord’s work. They knew and cared nothing for the Messiah. Yet the same Jesus who commanded the winds and waves to be still (8:24), and the evil spirits to come out of the man (8:29), still commands that sinners turn to Him and be saved. The healed man had not lived at home for a long time, but now he could return home, and this is what he did.

[hanks]

5. Where did they find clothes to clothe the healed man, do you think? Why does the story mention the man's nakedness?

I agree with Dr Ralph, Jesus Himself must have provided some clothes for the healed man. Jesus Himself said He came to serve, and all who proclaim to be His followers must imitate Him in this. The world's system of leadership is very different from leadership in God's Kingdom. In this world our leaders are often selfish and arrogant, clawing their way to the top with no concern for the people they have hurt along the way. The story mentions the man’s nakedness to symbolise shamelessness. He had lost all sense of being human and had become virtually a wild animal; no longer having any concern for hygiene or safety or even common decency. People would have looked upon him with absolute disgust. After he is healed he is seen clothed and sitting at Jesus’ feet, which is a mark of wellness; he is no longer shameless. Before it was the blatant flaunting of all morals and absolutes, and now under Jesus’ lordship there is a new sense of what is decent and proper.

[hanks]

6. How does Jesus react to the rejection of the townspeople of the Garasenes?

I feel Jesus shows great kindness to these townspeople after they had rejected Him. Having asked Him to leave, Jesus in His great love for them, still makes sure they would be able to hear the great things He had done for the healed man – from the man himself. It could also be that He was in Gentile territory and at the time Jesus’ main mission was to be with the Jewish people. After having seen evidence of His great power He also would not force Himself upon those whose hearts had been hardened against Him. In the same way, He comes to us when we call upon Him in faith, but may depart from us when we turn our backs upon Him. “So, He got into the boat and left” (8:30). 

[haar]

1.    If we take this account seriously, what does it seem to teach us about demons? (Realize that our view of demons may be more influenced by sermons we have heard or movies we have seen than by the text of Scripture. Let's stick to the text here in Luke 8.)

Demons are real, they are are powerful, they can enter humans and manipulate the humans to act or say things the way they want. But from the encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, His power is greater than the power of many demons put together. Hallelujah, praise the Living Jesus, my Lord.  

2.    Why do we feel we need to apologize helping just one person like Jesus did on this occasion?

We usually feel that our performance is great when we record high numbers say for example, of converts. But from this story, Jesus deliverance of the man possessed by a legion of demons shows that the salvation of just one soul is also a great achievement as it can lead the lone soul to witness and to achieve a lot by bringing many souls to Christ.

3.    What do we learn from the account about the pigs that we wouldn't have known if they hadn't been mentioned?

Pigs are dirty animals and cam be inhabited by demons

4.    Why did the healed man want to go with Jesus? Why didn't Jesus let him?

He found the Man that really loved and delivered him from demons and wanted stay with Him. Another reason is that he wanted to go on as as a disciple of Jesus. Furthermore, he was not sure he would well received at home.

Jesus did not allow him to follow so that he could go and tell his people the gracious and amazing thing God through Jesus Christ did for him- to evangelise his community. 

5.    Where did they find clothes to clothe the healed man, do you thinks  Why does the story mention the man's nakedness?

I don't know for sure. Maybe Jesus, the Great Provider miraculously provided the clothes. I guess the story mentioned the man's nakedness to show the degree of the wickedness of demons and the seriousness of demonic invasion or possession. I however think his nakedness was mentioned to show the ability of Jesus to clothe our nakedness spiritually and physically. 

6.    How does Jesus react to the rejection of the townspeople of the Garasenes?

Peacefully without offence I think.

[Bailey]

Bailey - Greetings 8/14/21

1. If we take this account seriously, what does it teach us about demons?  For  one, they truly exist.  We see in the readings, demons hide in people and/or come in many forms.  Today, they walk around in many forms. We do not have to watch a movie, listen to some of the rock music where satan is glorified, we see people crying out praises to the devil.  Jesus took these cries very seriously and helped them.  He was not afraid.  Now there has been a call for priests to perform exorcisms.  Before no one believed in them, including the church.  You have to meet the list of being possessed by the devil. I have not seen and/or heard of ministers calling out demons. Maybe they do?  The fact that Jesus did run away is very present,
2. Why do we feel we need to apologize helping just one person like Jesus did on this occasion?  I don't feel I have apologize to anyone, but if I am ashamed of Gospel and what is written, then that would make me ashamed of Jesus.  I want to be a disciple who is not afraid and that stands on the word of God.
3. What do we learn from the account about the pigs that we wouldn't have known if they hadn't been mentioned?  That these demons were afraid of Satan, it was as if they knew what would happen to them or what waited for them upon there return to hell, would be far worse.  Asking to go into the pigs was a blessing. 
4. Why did the healed man want to go with Jesus?  Why didn't Jesus let him?  The heal man felt relieved to be free, he longer had to endure the pain he was going through. He felt love and compassion the this man who saved his life.  He felt love for Jesus, because no one had ever displayed to form of affection in his life.  Jesus did not allow the man to go with because, I believe He wanted the man to return to the people who didn't want him around to share to the good news of his miracle. To be spokes person of the miracle and the goodness of Jesus.
5. Where did they find clothes to clothe the healed man, do you think?  Why does the story mention the man's nakedness?  Jesus took them off his back or from one of the disciples.  Are we not suppose to feed the hungry and clothed to poor!  The nakedness is mention, probably because he was naked and being possess, it was what made people afraid of him.  Now, if you run around naked, you get locked up for attention seeking behavior or just being a pervert.  Indecent exposure is considered a criminal act by today's standards.  People are walking around naked or half naked and nothing happens to them? What is going on with mankind?
6. How does Jesus react to the rejection of the townspeople of the Garasenes?  Jesus knew when to pick and chose his battles, just walk away from the angry crowd, those that have ears and eyes let them see the goodness of the Lord.

[Old Jerry]

If we take this account seriously, what does it seem to teach us about demons? (Realize that our view of demons may be more influenced by sermons we have heard or movies we have seen than by the text of Scripture. Let's stick to the text here in Luke 8.)

 

A. It teaches that demons can control our lives. They are very bad for us and it takes a miracle from Jesus to drive them out.

 

Why do we feel we need to apologize helping just one person like Jesus did on this occasion?

 

A. Because we believe so much in Jesus that we can’t seem to understand why others can’t see the healing Jesus. So when it is only one person we don’t understand why the others don’t want this freedom.

 

What do we learn from the account about the pigs that we wouldn't have known if they hadn't been mentioned?

 

A. Maybe we learned that the pigs went crazy when the demons entered them.

 

Why did the healed man want to go with Jesus? Why didn't Jesus let him?

 

A. He knew that Jesus was his savior. Jesus wanted the man to tell the people about the Good News.

 

Where did they find clothes to clothe the healed man, do you think? Why does the story mention the man's nakedness?

 

A. I think that Jesus probably shared what he had with the man. It mentions the man’s nakedness because we are to see Jesus as giving man.

 

How does Jesus react to the rejection of the townspeople of the Garasenes?

 

A. He honors their wishes and leaves them but a left a man behind to tell his story.

[Godswriter]

1.    If we take this account seriously, what does it seem to teach us about demons? (Realize that our view of demons may be more influenced by sermons we have heard or movies we have seen than by the text of Scripture. Let's stick to the text here in Luke 8.)

That demons are real and powerful and that only Jesus can cast them out or someone who is a believer and empowered to do this kind of work. For the Lord's name has the power to save as well. 

2.    Why do we feel we need to apologize helping just one person like Jesus did on this occasion?

Because there will always be that reject the true authority of Jesus and think He was only a prophet. However would a prophet in the New Testament be able to cast them out with the power of God in them? No

3.    What do we learn from the account about the pigs that we wouldn't have known if they hadn't been mentioned?

That pigs are dirty and unclean according to the law of Moses and the Jews abhorred anything that was pork because it was called unclean by the Lord. 

4.    Why did the healed man want to go with Jesus? Why didn't Jesus let him?

To follow Him and serve Him fully without facing his neighborhood. I believe it was because Jesus wanted him to testify about His cleansing from the demons. 

5.    Where did they find clothes to clothe the healed man, do you thinks  Why does the story mention the man's nakedness?

I believe this was a case of the Son of God creating clothes for Him like in Genesis. It mentions this because symbolically and literally we are dirty, wretched, blind, poor and dead in our sins when we first come to Christ. Only He can redeem us from our sins. 

6.    How does Jesus react to the rejection of the townspeople of the Garasenes?

 

[DAD]

On 8/19/2020 at 1:34 AM, Pastor Ralph said:

I am grateful to be part of said forum. What was this demon healed man? What areas or cities does his missionary work wins to Jesus?

 

[George L]

1. If we take this account seriously, what does it seem to teach us about demons? (Realize that our view of demons may be more influenced by sermons we have heard or movies we have seen than by the text of Scripture. Let's stick to the text here in Luke 8.)They obey those with spiritual power over them.
2. Why do we feel we need to apologize helping just one person like Jesus did on this occasion? We know in our mind Jesus paid the price for all, and that he desires that all be saved. When guided by the Holy Spirit the Lord sets the limits and we follow though we would want to do more or differently.
3. What do we learn from the account about the pigs that we wouldn't have known if they hadn't been mentioned?That condition of going to the abbys is terrifying even to demons.
4. Why did the healed man want to go with Jesus? Why didn't Jesus let him? To serve the one who cared for his condition. To provide a testemony in that area that couldn’t be denyed.
5. Where did they find clothes to clothe the healed man, do you think? Why does the story mention the man's nakedness? It seems to be the part of the mystery of miracles. That God provides where there seems to be no natural wat God still has a way that is beyond our reason and understanding. Supernatural.
6. How does Jesus react to the rejection of the townspeople of the Garasenes? He departs, as he did at his home town. Where there is no respect or faith in the gift, move on.