Casting Out Demons

When he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. Suddenly they shouted, ‘What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?’ Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. The demons begged him, ‘If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.’ And he said to them, ‘Go!’ So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and perished in the water. The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs. Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood. Matthew 8:28-34

We all have our demons, some more pronounced than others. The demoniacs that encounter Jesus were so fierce that grown folks avoided them and their surroundings. We don't encounter "demoniacs" today and often don't believe in demons at all. Yet, we can all identify people and places that make us afraid and know how violence and cruelty beget more violence and cruelty. Jesus rids the community of this evil and they want Jesus to go away. Sometimes we get too comfortable with the evil and cruelty around us, loving our familiar devils. We are invited to seek healing from all our demons, so we can serve and love others.

Precious Savior, you are fierce in the face of evil

you turned the tables in the temple and cleansed it

you cast out the demons and sent them away

and call us to move from violence and fear to love.

We are comfortable with our devils and demons

we adore the bad ones and revel in their entertainment

yet when we are fearful and tormented in the night

we cry out to you to rid us of our many demons.

Help us today, Lord Jesus, to admit the evil within

cast out the terrors that keep us from loving and serving

set us free so that we might set others free as well

and let us be instruments of your love and freedom. Amen.