The Story of Gad (part one)

Luke 8:26-39 tells the story of a "strong man" who was possessed by a legion of demons and kept breaking the chains with which people attempted to confine him. I have often felt tearful when thinking of how this man, cured of such a violent condition, wanted to follow Jesus but was instead directed to "go home and tell them all" what Jesus did for him. Jesus directed me a few weeks ago to meditate on this man's experience. Here is my contemplation on the passage:

This story begins right after Jesus, shown in the picture above, has cast out a legion of demons from this man. After such a dramatic exorcism, the man lies exhausted on the ground.

A beast of a man, he lies on his back, naked on the shore of the sea, arms outstretched and eyes closed, as if in a coma. Jesus rushes to him and touches his face. He is quietly calling his name, as if drawing him out of a long, far-away sleep. "Gad! Wake up! Your Healer is here!" As He speaks, Mother Mary and Salome quickly hasten to the side of the man, throwing a clean sheet over his body, tucking it in lovingly and kneeling opposite Jesus, ready to assist the "Great Physician" like two very lovely nurses. Jesus is still patting his face and gently calling to wake him from this stupor when he finally opens his eyes.

"What has happened?" he asks, disoriented and confused. The crowd is waiting in hushed anticipation to see what is next.

"Jesus has healed you, My dear!" says the Blessed Mother, Her lovely face radiant with a beaming smile.

The gruff-looking gorilla man pushes himself up to sitting position and modestly draws the sheet around himself as he surveys the crowd with amazement.

"I am your friend, Jesus."

"I don't know you......do I?" questions Gad.

Jesus smiles slyly and answers, "But I know you!"

"It's gone....I feel free!...Master! I will serve You! I will be Your slave where ever You go!... You... You have saved me from utter destruction! I... I couldn't help myself... I ruined everything ...destroyed everything I touched... my wife... my kids!... I..." Now he is weeping bitterly, head in hands.

"Gad, they are still there. Your family is still there. You must go back to them and tell them everything that has happened. I will come to you and visit you there."

Mary Magdalen brings a folded robe and presents it to the man and he accepts it shyly and gratefully. Jesus begins to motion the crowd away from Gad and the apostles help by ushering them along their way up the road. No sooner is their attention diverted away from Gad, then a loud splash draws it back. The "strong man" has plunged into the sea, laughing heartily and waving his hands above his head as he shouts out "Thank You, Jesus!!! Thank You!" He continues to laugh as he rubs himself clean and grooms his long hair and beard, preparing to make his reappearance into his family. The whole crowd waves back to him happily and I hear Jesus' beautiful laugh as He acknowledges His grateful patient's response.