Luke 8:26–39

Be Still: Holy Spirit I welcome you. Come into my heart, my mind, and my body.  Fill me with the life of Jesus today. You are welcome here. Amen

Read: Luke 8:26–39

They came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone out sitting there at Jesus’ feet, clothed and in his right mind. (v.35)

Encounter: I love photography. Capturing a great shot is so satisfying - whether it’s a quick one on my phone and straight to Instagram or whether it's a ‘proper’ shot on my camera where I’ve spent time thinking through aperture, shutter speed and perspectives. A picture paints a thousand words.

Our passage today contains a single ‘snapshot’ image of tremendous power. The image of ‘Legion’ - the man possessed by multiple demons - now sitting at Jesus’ feet, ‘clothed and in his right mind’. What an extraordinary photo that would make. The man who, although technically alive, has been living as though dead in a cemetery. One meeting with Jesus and he is utterly transformed. The before and after shots would be wildly different. 

Transformation is ours in Jesus - that’s a fact. He’s alive today and still at work changing people’s lives. For some there will be instant changes that are obvious to everyone, but for all who follow Jesus there is the promise of ongoing radical transformation - the way of Jesus activated in our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. The photo at the end of our faith journey should look very different from the photo at the start. How’s your faith selfie looking?

Apply: What area of your life needs the most transformation at the moment? Where would you like to invite the same Jesus who changed Legion, into your life afresh today to bring resurrection power and freedom? 

Devote: Heavenly Father, thank you that you love me and that you want me to be more and more transformed to reflect you. Thank you for sending Jesus to show me what freedom looks like. Change me to be more like you today in the power of your Holy Spirit.