A Man with Devils - Luke 8:27

Luke the beloved physician wrote how Jesus and His disciples, “arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-seven of his book Luke shared how, “there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time” where we read:

And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.

The verse reads, “And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, ...” Luke began with the words, “and when he went forth to land” or “and at the time and moment Jesus arose, emitted and emanated to the land of the Gadarenes”, “there met him out of the city” which means “there encountered Jesus from the village, town or dwelling place” “a certain man” or “a particular male human being from the village, town or dwelling place”, “which had devils long time” which means “who was possessed for a long time period with demons, evil spirits or messengers and ministers of the devil”. Luke shared how a man who was “demon possessed” “encountered” Jesus, and these “unclean spirits” had been within this man for a long period of time.

The verse goes on to say, “... and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.” Luke continues with the words “and ware no clothes” which means “and was unclothed and without garments of any sort”, “neither abode in any house” or “nor did the demon possessed man live or abide within any dwelling place”, “but in the tombs” which means “nevertheless, notwithstanding and moreover the man lived in the graveyard, sepulcher and burial place”. Luke shared how the man who was “demon possessed” was “unclothed”, did not live in a “house” but rather in the graveyard or burial place.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn of Jesus encountering this “demon possessed” man as soon as He stepped upon the land of the Gadarenes. The man was unclothed, and rather than live in a home, he lived in the graveyard. What a sight this must have been for Jesus and His disciples as this man “met” Him straightaway, and when we think this through, this man was in great need of Jesus who was the only person who could help him. God knows the spiritual condition of every person, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus. This man had neither clothes nor home, and his behavior no doubt kept him from having friends or acquaintances too. Jesus was ready to meet Him, and those who are wise shall come to Jesus like this man and allow Him to provide help for whatever they need.

Next time Luke shares how the man with devils, “cried out, and fell down before” Jesus, “and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with you, Jesus, thou Son of God most high?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".