An Unlikely Preacher Part 5

 It has been quite riveting to see unveiling the story of this man tormented by demons. As we see the story progress, it's impossible not to see the condition of this man, the amazing power of Jesus and the unlikely reaction of the crowd that witnessed this miraculous event.

We have come to a point in the story where get to see the results of the "wonder-working power" of Jesus. We saw how Jesus delivered this poor man from the thousands of demons that possessed him. Now we get to see the man after the demons had left him. We get to see a man truly transformed by Jesus.

Previously we saw that he lived in an unlikely place, he had an unlikely behavior, he had an unlikely encounter with Jesus and that he had an unlikely crowd. Now we'll get to see he had an unlikely restoration.

 Why an unlikely restoration?

Because the crowd never expected to see this man restored from his former condition (Luke 8:35). Remember he was naked, bound in his hands and feet with shackles and breaking them with his supernatural strength. Remember he was running up and down the hills terrorizing the town. He was truly a maniac, an outcast, an unwanted demented person, and ultimately driven by demons.

Now, let's see his latter state. Let's see his unlikely restoration( Luke 8:35b). 

1. He was sitting at the feet of Jesus.

This expression "sitting at the feet of Jesus" has several connotations that are worth noting.

First, at the time of Jesus, sitting at someone's feet meant that someone was either receiving  or ready  to receive instructions by his master(1). It is obvious in the story that Jesus is the Master and the man is the disciple. This man was no longer running around franctic all over town. He was still, He was sitting. He was ready to learn whatever Jesus was ready to teach him. Are you sitting at the feet of Jesus? Are you ready to learn from the Master? Do you have the right attitude towards Jesus instructions? This man did. So should you!

Second, there is the subject of submission(1). Being at His feet meant, this man submitted to Jesus authority. He was Lord and Savior of his life now. He was ready to serve Him in whatever capacity. Why wouldn't he after all Jesus had done for him? He was extremely thankful for his deliverance.

Thirdly, "sitting by Jesus feet" for this man might have been a place of safety(1). A place where he found comfort. A place where he found relief. Isn't that wonderful? That after being tormented by demons, he found the perfect place to find the peace that he needed. What would be better than sitting at the feet of the Prince of Peace. Nothing, nothing is better.

As I've been reading Matthew 8, Mark 5 and Luke 8 in preparation for this series, I realized something interesting. Not only the Gadarene demoniac placed himself at Jesus feet after receiving his miracle (Luke 8:35). Also Jairus fell at Jesus feet, but on this occasion before his miracle (Luke 8:41). Finally, the woman with the issue of blood also fell at Jesus feet after her miracle (Luke 8:47). I don't know about you, but it seems to me that regardless of what type of miracle God allows in your life, whether big or small, you'll always end up at His feet. That's the best place to be!

(1) studyligh.org on Luke 8:35 commentary

2. He was clothed.

He was no longer naked, no longer ashamed. The people in the town probably tried to dress him but at the end of the day, he probably tore them off when he was still demon-possessed. Now he's a normal guy. His clothes remain on.

Bibletools.com describes this perfectly on its commentary on Luke 8:35:

"He is now "clothed" with the robe of righteousness, and garments of salvation, with fine linen, clean and white, which is the righteousness of the saints, with change of raiment, and clothing of wrought gold; the righteousness of Christ being not only imputed to him by the Father, but revealed in the Gospel, brought near by the Spirit, and put upon him, and received by faith; as well as having put on the new man, and being clothed with humility, and other graces of the Spirit, and with the garments of a holy conversation; and so will at last be clothed with the shining robes of immortality and glory."

3. He was in his right mind.

The word in the Greek means to be "sane, sensible, in control". He was no longer running, no longer violent, no longer naked, no longer living in the tombs. He was a normal, down to earth kind of guy who had been rescued from the power of darkness and no longer influenced by it. He was a new creature in Christ Jesus.

I want to take the opportunity in this section to address people who suffer with mental illness and hopefully give a word of encouragement. I want you to know that I walk that path with you. I suffer from depression, anxiety and lately I've been diagnosed with parkinson's disease which might be the cause of the first two. Even though I'm not insane, insensible or out of control, I do pray to God earnestly that I can return to my former self. A guy who was full of energy, happiness, ambition an a zest for life. I want that back. I'm pretty sure you do too.

If you suffer from mental illness, please seek help. Seek the help of your pastors, your doctors, your family and friends. It is never too late. The God of Heaven is on your side. I do pray that your miracle come to fruition whatever your situation might  be. If this Demoniac was fully restored, you and I can  be restored too and hopefully, we will be another story of an unlikely restoration. A story that is worth telling the world and where Jesus gets all the credit. Be blessed!