02/29/2008: "Legion"

While Jesus was on the Earth he healed a great many people, the blind, the sick, even brought those dead back to life. There was one story of a man that was troubled by demons though, and his true name is unknown but was referred to as Legion in the Bible.

It wasn't a rare occurrence of Jesus casting out demons, but this was a unique situation, one of which Jesus knew about as he approached the man. Most likely because Jesus sensed or already knew that there was not just a single demon in the man, but many. Jesus approached the man and said, what is your name, the man replied, "My name is Legion, for we are many". Jesus was then asked by the demons residing in the man if they could enter the swine nearby a river, Jesus allowed it, and the swine went into the river and drowned.

The end part there sounds as if the Demons wanted to torment something else, but Jesus commanded them to go into the river, or the Demons did it themselves to the swine. Either way, Jesus healed the human and the man was not repossessed by evil spirits. It's a great story and kind of a scary one as well. Demonic possession is possible and does occur. If we deny that it occurs we are calling the Bible a lie since it occurred in the bible in several sections. I suppose it's no different as the Spirit of the Lord coming upon men in the bible to do was the Lord wished. However I wonder if the Spirit of the Lord was a choice people could refuse or something like Holy Possession.

In my opinion I think Jesus not only healed the man but sent the evil spirits to their deaths in the bodies of the swine. I don't think of it as murder or something heinous but as doing God's work and I would imagine God would have wanted them sent back to hell or there place of darkness. I could be wrong of course.

Not that anyone reading this is going to experience a demonic possession, but I think the weak of faith or those not aware of it are most susceptible. I think if you keep spiritual fervor for the Lord and are aware of what could happen you stand a better chance against it. In the chapters of the Bible above of which this story is made mention of, Luke 8 and Mark 5, Jesus tells the man he healed to go tell everyone he knows all that God has done for him. I think that is an important lesson in itself. When was the last time any of you told others the great things God has done for you? Or are you someone that only remembers to complain to God instead of praising Him?