Legion

Today we ponder two dramatic miracles: the Lord Jesus calming the storm on the lake, and casting out the demons from Legion. In both, He overcomes ferocious forces: physical powers in the first, and spiritual powers in the second. In the first incident, people are rescued from drowning in the lake, v. 23; in the second, pigs drown in the same lake, v. 33. The death of the pigs should not worry us, for it is part of the rescue of a man from a fate far worse than drowning, and one soul is of immeasurably greater value than many pigs. These events show the relative worth of men and animals in their true perspective.

In both, there is an appeal made to Him: by fearful disciples in the first, v. 24; by fearful demons in the second, vv. 28, 31, 32. In both, He gives a word of command, which is obeyed, vv. 24, 25, 29, 32, resulting in instant peace, vv. 24, 35. Both miracles cause the observers to be afraid, but in the first it leads to Him being worshipped, v. 25, whereas in the second it results in Him being rejected, vv. 35, 37. The first event begins with Him taking a boat journey to Gadara on His own initiative, vv. 22, 26; sadly, the second one ends with Him sailing in the opposite direction, because of people imploring Him to leave, v. 37.

But perhaps the links between these miracles go even deeper. Satan does not want to lose his slaves. Could the cause of the storm have been the devil as an attempt to prevent the Lord from reaching Gadara and freeing Legion? If so, then both miracles show Christ’s power to overcome satanic forces.

What a change is brought about in Legion! At the beginning, v. 28, due to being possessed by demons, he states that he wants nothing to do with the Lord. By the end of the account, the opposite is true: he wants to join Him in the boat and be with Him, v. 38. Such is the transforming power of Christ. But the Lord has a greater thing for him to do: to preach Christ to the very people who had so publicly rejected Him, a work which he proceeds to do zealously, v. 39. The words of the disciples, v. 25, would also have been apt for his use, ‘What manner of man is this!’ The Lord who can calm a violent sea can do something even greater: He can cure a violent sinner!