In Luke 8:26-39, we read about Jesus’ encounter with a demon-possessed man who lived “among the tombs” (8:27). The description we’re given of this demon-possessed guy implies that he was someone that the world would identify as broken. Why? Because this man’s demons made him UNCONVENTIONAL, UNCONTROLLABLE, and UNSAFE.
Unconventional means “different from what is usual or from the way most people do things.”1 This man was unconventional not only because of where he lived but also because of his appearance. We’re told that he walked around naked (8:27). His demons removed his sense of shame and, as a result, he engaged in behaviors that were not culturally acceptable such as public nudity and living among the dead.
Not only that, but this man’s demons empowered him with Samson-like strength so that he was able to break free from “chains and shackles” (8:29). The fact that the community had attempted to bind him in this fashion and keep him under guard as the text says is an indicator that every attempt was made to control this guy but none were successful. This guy was uncontrollable.
And this man’s demons made him UNSAFE. There’s an additional detail provided in Mark’s account of this event. According to Mark 5:5 this guy “would cry out and cut himself with stones.” In other words, he would engage in self-injurious behavior on account of his demons.
So, this guy lived alone in a cemetery because his personal demons made him UNCONVENTIONAL, UNCONTROLLABLE, and UNSAFE. And, as a result, society deemed him UNFIXABLE. So, he lived alone in a cemetery where his demons could go unchecked.
Let’s be honest, some of us are just like this tomb dweller. Some of us are battling personal demons right now. I don’t mean we are physically possessed by an unclean spirit that controls our actions like this tomb dweller. I mean we are enslaved to something that causes “harm, distress, or ruin” to our lives.2 It may be a substance or activity to which we are addicted. It may be an attitude or a mindset we can’t seem to break. It may be a relationship we can’t get out of or a relationship we can’t seem to repair. It may be a mental health issue that we can’t control. It may be some baggage from our past that we can’t seem to offload.
And maybe your demons have made you UNCONVENTIONAL, UNCONTROLLABLE, or even UNSAFE. And you’ve come to the conclusion that you’re UNFIXABLE. Then you need to hear the rest of the story because even though society thought the tomb dweller was unfixable, Jesus didn’t.
When Jesus arrived on the scene, He dismissed the demons into a herd of pigs, and when the townspeople “went out to see what had happened,” they “found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind” (8:25). However, this amazing display of power caused them to turn on Jesus and we’re told that they “asked [Jesus] to depart from them” because “they were seized with great fear” (8:37).
As Jesus prepared to leave, the formerly demon-possessed man asked to go with Him but Jesus instructed him to serve as His representative in a place that He could no longer reach (8:38-39a). And in that moment, the once broken man found how he could be useful to Jesus so “he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him” (8:39b).
Despite his demons, this man was pursued by Jesus, and in turn, he found a way to be useful to Jesus. Someone who was deemed BROKEN by the world found himself WHOLE in Jesus. And you can, too.
- 1https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/unconventional
- 2https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demon
- Why do you think the townspeople were so afraid of Jesus after this demon-possessed man was healed? How might their rejection of Jesus relate to people’s rejection of Jesus today?
- What limitations do you or your family have that hinder your ability to be useful to Jesus? Discuss ways in which you and/or your family can be useful to Jesus despite your limitations.
- In John 10:10 Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” What bearing should His words have on those who experience brokenness in this life?
- Do you have any “demons” (i.e., something that causes “harm, distress, or ruin”) that you need to turn over to Jesus or do you feel “broken” and useless to Him? If so, acknowledge your “demons” and/or “brokenness” in prayer, asking for God’s forgiveness and help in overcoming them. Then consider sharing them with a shepherd, minister, mentor, or brother or sister in Christ who can hold you accountable and help bear your burden.