Scripture:
This week's gospel has Jesus visiting the village of the Gerasenes where a man the villagers called Legion lives in the tombs, shackled and driven by demons. He was a creature of terror to himself and others, yet they bound him and kept him in their midst.
Enter Jesus. Legion approaches Jesus, and unlike the villagers, recognizes who Jesus is, really is. And he shouted at the top of his voice, What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?" And then Jesus asked, "What is your name?" Why is that important? What does the name "Legion" signify?
Who are we, really? What demons keep us from being what God calls us to be? What forces seek power over us - to take us over, bind us, take away our true names, and separate us from God and each other? What, who, can save or redeem us from that which steals our joy, our purpose and worth, and bring us out of our tombs, and that which binds us? How is this accomplished? Read Debie Thomas' "Legion."
Read Dan Clendenin's "God’s Gentle Whisper ."
Your story, our story, our names are important, worth saving, worth sharing, that others might be saved, too, and for God's peace. The same peace and presence Elijah, in his deep despair, found, as he fled in terror from Ahab, Jezebel, and the prophets of Baal, who sought to kill him.
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