Legion

I recently read Chapter 8 of the Book of Luke, and something stood out to me. It was when I read the passage where Jesus restores a demon-possessed man and casts the demons out into a herd of pigs:

Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"
"Legion," he replied, because many demons had gone into him. And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. 
A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down a steep bank into the lake and drowned. – Luke 8:30-33

Why did Jesus ask for the impure spirit’s name? I believe there is a reason for knowing that their name was Legion. In the Roman army, the largest unit was called a legion. A legion had anywhere from 3,000 to 6,000 soldiers in it. There were many, many demons in this man.

I also wondered the significance of Legion wanting to be cast into the herd of pigs just to end up killing them. But I suppose that is what they are known for; to steal, kill, and destroy. But here is what got me thinking… Demon possession is not as commonly heard of in today’s world, but we all have “demons” in us.

There are many things that I have struggled with in the past. Some of which, if I am being honest, was very habitual. In that, they always seemed to reoccur. There were times when I thought they left and I was free from them, only for them to spontaneously reappear and I was struggling once again. It was not just one “demon” I struggled with, either. But many, a legion of them.

The thing about the “demons” we struggle with, is that if left alone they will destroy and kill us as Legion did with the pigs. Think about it. If Jesus would not have cast them out of the man, what do you think would have happened to him? Legion showed you what would have happened.

Legion will rush you down the steep bank into the lake to drown you if you leave him be.

But Jesus will never let your “demons” be. If he would, would he have gone to the cross for you? He does care for you that much, you know! He is casting out your “demons.” It does not matter if you only have one, or a whole legion of them. Nor does it matter if the demon is a little one or a huge overwhelming one. He is naming them all by name and telling them that you are His. You cannot be stolen from Jesus. Nor can you be destroyed or killed by those demons tormenting you.

But I know. Sometimes it may feel like you can be. I have experienced that all too often. Shoot, sometimes I still feel like I am being tormented by my social anxiety “demon.” But in those moments of feeling tormented, I pray. I pray that my anxiety will be lifted at least enough to carry on in the current situation I am in. And honestly, when I do that, it reminds me of all those past times I was helped to carry on. I am not a prisoner to my “demons.” You aren’t either.

I know you have demons that Jesus cast out of you. Was it something like depression, anxiety, or some type of addiction? Maybe it was something like fear or financial struggles? Your “demons” can be anything. Anything that causes you distress, or you feel is tormenting you. What did Jesus save you from?

Don’t forget to share about it. Share it with everyone! Or, at least, to those you know who are struggling with the same “demon.” Share how much God has done for you! It is, after all, what Jesus wanted from the demon-possessed man.

The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.

Luke 8:38-39

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Featured Image by Kenneth Schipper Vera on Unsplash