Who are you?

This week was one of those weeks... so all I have is a modified outline for you, but you'll get the idea! Thanks for reading!

Luke 8:26-39
The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

What is your name? Who are you?

That’s the question Jesus asks of the man he encounters.

The man is not just possessed, he’s occupied by hundreds of demons.

So Jesus heals the man; calls out the demons.

Sends them into the pigs, who then jump into the abyss.

In case you’re wondering, No big deal to the Jews of that day, being unclean animals.

                     

But there’s heartbreak here.

Jesus asks his name; his identity is gone.

          Not John or Mark or Bob. Just “Legion.”

He’s defined by those things that bind him, constrain him, hold him back, keep him living in darkness.

Even more heartbreak: we’re not that much different.

We define ourselves by our deficiencies and our setbacks.

Not always, but enough to rob us of the abundant life that God wants for us.

It seems every time we want to take a risk, be vulnerable

          We’re reminded of every failure and disappointment.

                   We have allowed those things to possess us.

                             But that’s not our true identity.

                                      We too are legion.

Our culture seeks to create in us a real sense of lack.                                    

          TV commercials goal: create insecurity.

                   Focus on looks or status, possessions and relationships.

                             Not enough, but buy our product and you’ll have it!

                                      And we comply.

Walk around your home and notice how many things you bought and don’t need.

                   We believed the promise the product made.

                             For that to happen, we had to buy in to our being insufficient.

                                      We too are legion.

When we lose our identity,

          When we feel trapped by our past hurts

                   When we are occupied by the culturally induced sense of lack

          We’re then called back to be with our brothers and sisters who are the church

                   To have those demons cast out

                             To have identity restored.

                                      Reminded of how much God loves us.

This is the only thing Jesus does in the Gerasene land.

          Healed one possessed man. And left again.

                   Jesus crossed into Gentile territory, across boundaries, to heal one.

                             Transformed Legion into human again.                                                                     A long journey to help one person!

                                      Crossed into dangerous land to save one soul

Jesus comes to give back our identity as well.

          Announced to us at baptism,

washed by the water, marked with the cross of Christ,              

sealed by the Holy Spirit forever.

          Crossed into danger to save your soul… and yours… and mine.

Jesus comes to tell us that no matter how many ads we see telling us the contrary,

we are not insufficient or undeserving of love.

It seems the whole point of Jesus’ ministry and mission is to tell us –

or, rather, show us –

just how much God loves us.

Invitation: Come to the font, receive a reminder of God’s love for you.               

One true Identity. Child of God.

          Never forget who you are.