"Looking at the Wrong Source"

He headed to the country of the Gerasenes, opposite of Galilee. Upon setting foot in this land, a man from the city came toward Jesus and the man was demon possessed. He was naked, living among the tombs which gives us an indication he probably wasn't the cleanest of people. The man cries out, falling down before Jesus. The unclean spirit within speaks. What did it sound like? The voice of a man! Jesus commands the unclean spirit to come out and asks, "What is your name?" The response came, "Legion!" There were many demons in this man. Jesus showed no anxiety, no fear but stood firm before this man. What is amazing is these many demons knew who Jesus is and the power He possesses. They beg Jesus not to send them away into the abyss, a place of immeasurable depth. They wanted to go anywhere but the abyss and knew Jesus had the authority to do what He wished with them. These demons could do nothing unless the Lord Jesus allowed it. Over there, a herd of swine. Jesus gives them His permission to enter this heard of swine. You look at the herd, and see them start reacting to something unseen and suddenly, over the steep bank they go into the lake to their ultimate death! (This is recorded in Luke 8:26-33.)

Right here is where so many people get stuck, on the bank focused on the swine. "Why did the swine have to die?" some wonder. Bible classes bog down on the issue. "Why did the demons enter the swine?" others question. You might listen and even hear some animal activists cry out, "Cruel and inhumane!" Here we are standing on the bank looking, wondering and talking about the swine. As long as we stand on the bank looking and speaking about the swine, we completely loose sight of the point. This true life event is not about swine or the demons. It is about Jesus and His power over all, even in the demonic realm! His strength, His control and His ability to stand in the face of Satan's army and command them where He wishes!!! Let's move away from the bank and swine and not get stuck. Look at Jesus! Look at Jesus!

Paul taught it is all about "Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Col. 1:27) Paul spoke nothing but Jesus and Him crucified (I Cor. 2:2) in order for lives to change. Paul spoke plainly that "we proclaim Him." (Col. 1:28) It is in Jesus that all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden (Col. 2:3). Many times our lives are lived so weak and helpless because we "stand on the bank focusing on the swine" when we need to be looking at Jesus. Life wants to overwhelm us and we look and listen to everyone and everything except Jesus. Satan attacks us and accuses us through people. We react and find ourselves upset at the people or react in a wrong way. We need to be looking at Jesus! When we are sick, afraid or angry, look to Jesus! Our lives improve so little because we are always looking at the wrong source in our lives! "Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith..." (Heb. 12:2)