What Jesus Did! 'Restoring Identity' — Luke 8:30-33

Sunday, May 21, 2023

[To the demon-possessed man,] Jesus demanded, "What is your name?"

"Legion," he replied, for he was filled with many demons. The demons kept begging Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit.

There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby, and the demons begged him to let them enter into the pigs.

So Jesus gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned.

— Luke 8:30-33 NLT

Key Thought

God made each of us in our mother's womb, carefully putting us together in a wonderful way for his very purpose. We were designed to do something wonderful. Satan, however, tries to destroy our identity and rob us of God's purpose. This man had lost his name and was known only by the evil powers that controlled him. But, just as Jesus had power over the storm, [1] his words have power over Satan and his hordes of evil. Jesus' presence, power, and words judged and destroyed the work of Satan that kept this man in bondage and on the edge of death. Jesus gave the man back himself as he drove away the evil by his command. He can do the same with you... if you will ask him!

[1] Luke 8:23-24.

Today's Prayer

Father, today I praise you for the power in Jesus' name and the authority of Jesus' words. With deep reverence and respect, I ask Jesus to drive out every vestige of evil in my life. I believe that only by his power can I find lasting peace. So, Lord Jesus, take control of my life. In your name, I pray and ask for you to send the Holy Spirit to cleanse what I already know he inhabits — my very soul — and expel every spirit of deception and destruction, ending their vile and corrupting influences in my life. By the power of your name, Lord Jesus, I order every demonic power to cease its ugly influence in my life. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Luke 11:13
  • 1 John 4:4
  • Colossians 2:11-15

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 8:30-33 NLT — "What is your name?" —— "Legion,"

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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