The story of Jesus healing the demonic from the Garasenes shows that society can’t fix spiritual problems. Oh, they had tried. Luke 8: 29This spirit had often taken control of the man. Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness.[1]
Scripture tells us that the problem was a demon controlling a man. Society’s solution was to restrain and threaten, and then, when that didn’t work, to isolate him. The result was a miserable life. Luke 8: 27 As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in the tombs outside the town. [2]
The Spiritual Word is Real
In our twenty-first-century minds, we often only want to believe what we can scientifically prove. Some would say that the stories of the Bible are only analogies; they really didn’t happen. Many are uncomfortable with the supernatural. I think the Gospel authors reported on what Jesus did and give us models for us today.
In the natural realm, we use guns and bombs to fight wars. The supernatural realm requires something different. 2 Corinthians 10: 3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God.[3]
The demon was preventing this man from knowing God. Jesus braved a storm to come and restore the man to sanity, society, and service. His show of supernatural power frightened the townspeople. They were more worried about the economic loss of their pigs than the healing of the man. This supernatural demonstration frightened them, and they wanted nothing to do with it. Many today do the same thing.
Jesus Can Fix Spiritual Problems
While modern treatments may lessen spiritual illness, they can never cure it. What Jesus did for the demoniac is what He can do for anyone else who needs Him. As we turn to Jesus, He can restore and heal us for our life here on earth and a future in eternity.
Colossians 1: 13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins…21 This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. 22 Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. [4]
Society can’t fix spiritual problems. To find out who can, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/calming-of-two-storms
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.