Forest Lake Talks

From Presbyterian Outlook Devotions, Jill Duffield, Editor

Luke 8:26-37

26 Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me"— 29 for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) 30 Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" He said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. 31 They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss. 32 Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. 34 When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 36 Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. 37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned.

What is your name? This simple question asked to the man so dehumanized that he’d
been relegated to the graveyard reveals to the man and all who have ostracized him
that he is a beloved child of God, known and remembered. As you go about your day
today, take time to ask those you encounter the simple but profound question: What is your name?

You tell us, God, that you know us so well that before we speak a word, you hear it. You know us so well that even the hairs on our heads are numbered. You know
our failings and goodness, our gifts and greatest insecurities and you claim us and
call us beloved. You know us all by name and call us to see each other as you see
each of us. Amen.