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Power

Power has always intrigued me, but even the most awesome displays of man’ power are puny in comparison to the power of God.

During the Savior’s ministry, He was once accosted by a man possessed by a legion of devils. The afflicted man was widely known in the area as a crazy and wild man. He lived naked in the mountains and tombs continually crying and cutting himself with stones. Any previous attempts to restrain and tame him had been answered with super-human strength. As he broke the chains and escaped, he was more of an animal than a man.

Now, in the presence of the Savior, the possessed man falls at his feet and worships Him.

At the Master’s rebuke, the many devils possessing the man’s body request permission to enter the bodies of a herd of pigs feeding on the mountains nearby. The Savior grants it, whereupon the swine run off the cliff into the sea and drown themselves.

Well, when the townspeople come out to investigate, they discover the wild man sitting, clothed, and in his right mind. They are sufficiently shocked and afraid at the dramatic events that they send Jesus away without hearing a word.

As to the man, he asked to accompany the Savior, but was instead sent back to his family rejoicing. The Master and His disciples immediately depart.

It appears that the Master’s sole purpose that day in crossing the Sea of Galilee was to rescue one soul beyond mortal help. By the power of His word, He cleansed and brought life to their souls. And by the touch of His hand, He healed and gave life to their bodies. By their faith it was so then, and it is no different now.