Healed

We have been looking at the story of the demoniac, the man Jesus encountered in a cemetery who was possessed by (as it turns out, "many") demons. And we said we have to start by giving this guy credit for living with demons that would literally drive pigs off a cliff. Then, we said we don't really know what to with someone who knows how to handle their demons. We went on to say that the place to start is by letting our demons speak, by being honest about what we're dealing with. And we ended by seeing how our greatest battles often lead to our greater purpose. 

But I would be remiss, of course, in a Christian space, no less, if I did not say that I think that's the hard way. 

I mean, sure. Fighting the stigma, battling the demons, pushing through by sheer willpower, creating space for demons to speak, all the things. Great. Yeah. 

But Jesus speaks a word and the demons are gone. 

And, we have to add, the man didn't even have to say anything. The man didn't ask to be healed. The man didn't beg for the demons to be gone. The man never declared belief, or even "help my unbelief," to Jesus. Not a peep. 

He simply let his demons drag him to Jesus, and Jesus did the rest. 

That's what I love about God. 

See, Jesus lands on the seashore, and this man comes running out of the cemetery, screaming at Him. We're told the screaming is from the demons. The demons brought the body of the man to Jesus so that they could confront Him. 

Have a problem in your life that wants to stand in the face of God and ask Why? Cool. Me, too. This guy, too. 

Then, Jesus engages. Jesus listens. Jesus speaks. Jesus casts out. Jesus heals. 

All the man had to do was let his demons take him there. 

The same is true for you and me. 

Listen, I've lived a long enough and hard enough life, even a long enough and hard enough life of faith, with (as it turns out, "many") challenges to know that just believing in Jesus, coming to Jesus, praying to Jesus, trusting in Jesus doesn't get us the instantaneous, speak-a-word healing that we wish was so easy. I'd be lying to you if I said it did. 

But I'm not lying to you when I say that it can. It can because Jesus can. Actually, He's the only one who can. 

Because I've lived a long enough and hard enough life, even a long enough and hard enough life of faith, to tell you with absolute certainty that I can't. 

Maybe you're there, too. Maybe you can't. Maybe you know that you can't. That's okay. Because even if you could, I gotta tell you - that's the hard way. 

The easy way is to just come to Jesus and let Him speak.

And He will. 

And maybe it's not instantaneous. And maybe there are no pigs diving off cliffs. And maybe there are no townsfolk shouting for Him to leave. But still, somehow, there you are, clothed and in your right mind...

And how could it be other than this?