Genesis 43:16-34
1 Corinthians 7:10-24
March 6, 2010
They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no-one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No-one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me! For Jesus had said to him, Come out of this man, you evil spirit! Then Jesus asked him, What is your name? My name is Legion, he replied, for we are many. And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them. He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man— and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you. So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. - Mark 5:1-20
Jesus and His disciples came across the ocean to a place called Gerasenes. Once Jesus got out of the boat a man possessed by an evil spirit came to Him and fell down to worship Him. The man possessed by the Spirit lived among the tombs and no chains or shackles could hold him. He was frequently bound with chains but he would just snap them and no one was strong enough to subdue him. All day and night he was constantly crying out loud and hurting himself with stones. The demon possessed man came to Jesus and Jesus said to him,, “What is your name?” “The demon answered Legion for we are many.” The demon begged Jesus not to banish him from the land. Now while this was happening a large herd of swine was grazing upon the hillside. The demon said to Him. “let us enter into the swine,” and Jesus permitted the demon to enter. Immediately Legion came out of the man and entered the swine of approximately two thousand. The swine ran off a cliff and drowned in the river. The people who witnessed it went and told the city and the people who stayed examined the man and were afraid. As Jesus returned to the boat the man pleaded to stay with Jesus but Jesus said to go home.
Ryan Hockemeyer
We beseech Thee Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires of thy humble servants and stretch forth the right hand of thy majesty to be our defense against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Collect for Oculi Sunday The Lutheran Hymnal © 1940 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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