Thar was a man, or maybe a pair of ’em, who whar so evil and terrifying that no feller or lass dared attempt ter skirt past. These rascals lived in solitary places, slept in graveyards, roamed among tombs and whar so strong that no one could kept ’em bound, even with chains and guards.
Many a time tha worst of the two would shriek and cry out, cut himself with sharp rocks, and scare folks. Run around half-naked, he would, fer he had no clothes and no home.
When the Son strolled among the tombs of the dead, the tormented feller dropped ter his knees and hollered, “What do you want with us, Jesus, Son of the Most Hight God? ‘Ave yo come ter torment us befer our time? I beg you do not send us into the Abyss.”
Jesus replied, “What is your name?”
“Legion,” the head demon replied, ‘fer we be many. If we must be cast out, send us inter that herd of swine.”
Jesus gave the demons permission ter enter the pigs. When the demons come out out the chap and entered the swine, the whole herd, near ’bout 2000 pigs, rushed down the steep bank and inter the lake and drowned.
Think on this a wee little bit:
- If each demon rushed inter a pig and forced that poor porker ter attempt a lake swim, then thar be near ’bout 2000 demons in the pair of fellers.
- These whar violent men.
- No one could control them.
- In fact the only thing that could control ’em whar the demons.
- They made the man cut himself, harm himself.
- They made the man live among the dead.
- They made the man run about half-naked.
- They knew the Son, Jesus, whar the Skipper’s boy, the son of Most Hight God.
- And when they come face-ter-face with Jesus they forced the tormented man, in fear and reverence, ter his knees.
This be the outcome of all who come under control of evil, unclean spirits. One or two spirits might not change a feller or lass ter much, but hundreds ‘ill drive us inter darkness so black that death seems ter be our only hope, when, in fact, the Son be our only real hope.
After the pigs went ter Davy Jones, and took the demons with ’em, the tormented man came ter his senses. Folks came from the town ter see the sight of all ’em bloated pig carcasses floating up on the beach.
- When they did, they found the feller no longer kneeling at the feet of the Son, but sitting at his feet.
- He was dressed.
- He was in his right mind.
- All whar amazed.
- Also, all whar afeared.
Befer they whar afeared of the demon-men. Now they whar afeared of the Son and his power over spirits of all kind.
As the Son whar about ter shove off and sail away the healed-man pleaded, “Let me come with you.”
“Return home,” said Jesus, “and tell how much God has done for you.”
Ter day Jesus speaks these words ter us:
“What do you want from me?” Tell the Son what you want him ter do fer ya, be it get cleaned off all unclean spirits, be made well, be in yer right mind, be clothed, be among the living rather than the dead, be home.
Once the Son responds, then, “Go! Tell how much God has done for you.”