Changed by Christ “Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind; and they were afraid.” (Luke 8:35) Christ had cast some demons out of a man. The effect upon the man was dramatic. Our verse describes some of the major changes which occurred when Christ cast out the demons. They include resting, respect, robed, and rational. Resting. “Sitting.” This was a new posture for the man. Before Christ cast out the demons, the man was constantly roaming about the tombs and mountains and wilderness day and night. This speaks of the soul rest promised in the Gospel. Christ said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). One of the characteristics of sin is lack of rest (Isaiah 57:20, 21). “But those who still reject me are like the restless sea, which is never still but continually churns up mud and dirt. There is no peace for the wicked,” says my God. Isaiah 57:20-21 (NLT) But when Christ changes your life, one result is great soul rest. Respect. “Sitting at the feet of Jesus.” Before the man was delivered of the demons, he wanted nothing to do with Christ. As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell down in front of him. Then he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don’t torture me!” Luke 8:28 (NLT) But after Christ changed his life, the man now greatly respected Christ and sat humbly at Christ’s feet. Animosity towards Christ ends with redemption. Robed. “Clothed.” Before Christ changed this man’s life, he “wore no clothes”. 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 a cemetery outside the town. Luke 8:27 (NLT) This robing of the man not only pictures the righteous robe of salvation (Isaiah 61:10), but it also pictures the improvement in morals (seen in more modest dress) of a person when he gets saved. I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10 (NLT) Even in heathen countries, when people get saved, they start wearing more clothes instead of running around half naked. The immodest clothes at church reveal a spiritual problem. Rational. “In his right mind.” Satan would have folk think that to follow Christ is crazy, unintelligent, and stupid. But the very opposite is true. It is those who follow Satan and are controlled by his demons that act crazy. When this man was possessed by demons, he acted insane. But when Christ changed the man, he acted rational, sane, and sober. Sin, not Christ and righteousness, causes people to act foolishly and irrationally. John G. Butler
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 14:29:01 +0000