Transformative Grace: Embracing Change and Sharing Hope

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Sees the Person, Not the Problem

No matter how broken or outcast someone may seem, Jesus looks beyond their afflictions and addresses their true identity. He does not define people by their struggles, their past, or the labels others have given them. Instead, He sees each person as precious and worthy of love, even when the world has written them off or when they have lost sight of their own value. In the story of the man among the tombs, Jesus speaks to the man himself, not just the demons tormenting him, reminding us that our worth is never diminished in His eyes, no matter what we have been through. [41:58]

Luke 8:26-39 (ESV)
Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.) Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him. And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned. When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

Reflection: What is one label or negative name you’ve carried—either from others or yourself—that you need to let go of today, trusting that Jesus sees your true worth?

Day 2: Transformation Can Be Unsettling

When Jesus brings transformation, it often disrupts the routines and comfort zones of those around us. The people of the Gerasenes were more comfortable with the predictable chaos of the possessed man than with the unsettling reality of his healing. Change, even when it is good, can provoke fear and confusion because it challenges what we have come to accept as normal. Sometimes, we resist God’s work in our lives or in others because it threatens our sense of order, but Jesus invites us to embrace the newness He brings, even when it unsettles us. [52:11]

Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Reflection: Where in your life are you resisting change or transformation because it feels uncomfortable or threatens your routine?

Day 3: Fear Can Keep Us from God’s Best

Fear is a powerful force that can keep us stuck in old patterns, prevent us from embracing healing, and even cause us to push Jesus away. The townspeople, seized with great fear, asked Jesus to leave rather than welcome the miracle in their midst. Fear of the unknown, of losing control, or of what others might think can close us off from the very things God wants to do in and through us. But God’s Word reminds us again and again: “Fear not.” We are called to trust Him, even when we don’t understand what He is doing. [54:48]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Reflection: What is one fear that is keeping you from stepping forward in faith today, and how can you invite God into that place?

Day 4: Your Story Has Purpose Where You Are

After his healing, the man wanted to leave with Jesus, but Jesus sent him home to share what God had done for him. Sometimes, we long to escape our past or our present circumstances, but God often calls us to stay and be a witness right where we are. Our stories of transformation—no matter how messy or miraculous—can bring hope to others and reveal God’s power in the places we know best. You are positioned for a purpose, and your testimony can be a light in your community. [56:48]

Mark 5:19 (ESV)
And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

Reflection: Who in your life or community needs to hear your story of God’s work, and how can you share it with them this week?

Day 5: Hope Springs from the Tomb

Because of Jesus, even the places of death and despair can become places of hope and new beginnings. The man lived among the tombs, a symbol of hopelessness and isolation, but through Christ, his story was rewritten. As people of the resurrection, we believe that no situation is too far gone for God to redeem. The empty tomb of Jesus declares that hope is alive, and we are called to live as people marked by that hope, even when the world is suspicious or afraid of such grace. [55:27]

1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Reflection: What is one area of your life that feels like a “tomb” right now, and how can you invite the hope of Christ into that place today?

Sermon Summary

Today’s passage from Luke 8:26-39 invites us to journey with Jesus as he steps ashore in the land of the Gerasenes, a place marked by tombs, uncleanness, and a man whose life has been shattered by forces beyond his control. The story centers on this man—naked, homeless, and living among the dead—whose only identity is the legion of demons that torment him. Jesus, crossing boundaries of culture, religion, and ritual purity, comes for this one outcast, demonstrating that no one is beyond the reach of God’s compassion.

The encounter is jarring: Jesus addresses the man, not his affliction, seeking his name and his personhood. Even when the man can only answer with “Legion,” a name that speaks of overwhelming oppression, Jesus sees the person beneath the pain. The demons are cast out, the man is restored, and the community is left in fear and confusion. Their world, once predictable—even if it included a “crazy naked man” in the tombs—has been upended by the power of grace.

This story challenges us to consider how we respond to the disruptions of grace in our own lives. We often cling to routines and familiar patterns, even when they include brokenness or exclusion, because change is frightening. The people of the region, faced with the undeniable transformation of the man, ask Jesus to leave. Their fear is not just of the supernatural, but of the unpredictable nature of God’s intervention—what else might change if Jesus stays?

Yet, the man who was healed longs to follow Jesus, to escape his past and the place of his pain. But Jesus sends him home, commissioning him to bear witness to God’s work right where he is known. This is a call to all of us: to recognize that our own stories of transformation are meant to be shared in the places where we live, among the people who know our histories. We are “Billy stories”—living testimonies to the hope and restoration found in Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus Crosses Boundaries for the Sake of One Jesus intentionally enters places considered unclean or off-limits—Gentile territory, tombs, and the company of the afflicted—demonstrating that God’s love is not constrained by human boundaries. He comes for the one who is most lost, reminding us that no one is too far gone for grace to reach. This challenges us to examine the boundaries we set and to consider whom we might be called to love beyond our comfort zones. [37:02]
2. Identity Is Not Defined by Affliction When Jesus meets the man, he addresses him as a person, not as a problem to be solved. Even when the man can only name his pain (“Legion”), Jesus sees his true self beneath the layers of suffering. Our worth is not determined by our struggles, failures, or the labels others give us; in Christ, our identity is always beloved and precious. [41:58]
3. The Disruption of Grace Can Be Frightening The townspeople are more comfortable with the predictable brokenness of their world than with the unpredictable power of God to heal and transform. When grace disrupts our routines, it can provoke fear and resistance, even when it brings restoration. We must be honest about our own fears of change and ask God for the courage to welcome the newness he brings. [49:19]
4. Fear Can Keep Us from Embracing God’s Work Fear is a natural response to the unknown, but if we allow it to dictate our actions, we risk missing out on the opportunities and divine encounters God places before us. The call to “fear not” is not a denial of difficulty, but an invitation to trust that God’s presence is greater than our anxieties. Each day, we are invited to step forward in faith, even when the path is uncertain. [54:48]
5. Our Stories of Transformation Are Meant for Our Communities The healed man wants to leave his past behind and follow Jesus, but he is sent back to his home to share what God has done. Our own experiences of God’s grace are not just for us—they are meant to be shared in the places where we are known, so that others might see the hope and love of Christ through us. We are called to be living witnesses, right where God has placed us. [56:48]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[24:57] - Opening and Announcements
[25:33] - Youth Group Stories and Humor
[26:14] - Reading Luke 8:26-39
[26:48] - The Encounter with the Demoniac
[27:30] - The Name “Legion” and the Demons
[28:06] - The Demons Enter the Swine
[28:47] - The Town’s Reaction and Fear
[29:26] - Prayer for Understanding
[30:18] - Personal Stories: Graveyards and Fear
[35:41] - Jesus Crosses Boundaries
[37:02] - The Significance of the Tombs
[41:13] - The Loss and Restoration of Identity
[46:48] - The Aftermath: Townspeople Respond
[49:19] - Wrestling with Fear and Change
[54:48] - “Fear Not” and Living as People of Hope
[56:48] - Sent to Share Our Stories
[58:12] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 8:26-39 — (You may want to read the passage aloud together before beginning discussion.)

Observation Questions

What boundaries did Jesus cross when he went to the land of the Gerasenes and met the man among the tombs?
How is the man described before he meets Jesus? What details does the passage give about his life and condition?
After the demons are cast out, how do the townspeople react when they see the man sitting at Jesus’ feet, clothed and in his right mind?
What does Jesus tell the healed man to do after he asks to go with Jesus?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose to go to a place considered unclean and interact with someone everyone else avoided? What does this say about God’s priorities?
The man’s only answer to Jesus’ question about his name is “Legion.” What does this reveal about how suffering or labels can shape someone’s identity?
The townspeople are afraid after witnessing the man’s transformation. Why might people fear the changes that God’s grace brings, even when those changes are good?
Jesus sends the healed man back to his home instead of letting him follow. What might be the reason for this, and what does it suggest about the purpose of personal transformation?

Application Questions

Jesus intentionally crossed boundaries—cultural, religious, and social—to reach someone everyone else avoided. Are there people or places in your life that you tend to avoid? What would it look like to cross those boundaries for the sake of love?
The man’s identity was wrapped up in his suffering and the labels others gave him. Are there labels—given by yourself or others—that you struggle to shake off? How might Jesus be inviting you to see yourself differently?
The townspeople preferred the predictability of their brokenness over the disruption of grace. Can you think of a time when you resisted change, even if it was for your good? What made it hard to embrace the new thing God was doing?
Fear kept the community from welcoming Jesus’ work. What fears keep you from stepping into what God might be calling you to do? How can you take a small step of faith this week, even if you feel anxious?
The healed man wanted to leave his past behind and follow Jesus, but Jesus sent him home to share his story. Where has God placed you right now, and who might need to hear your story of hope and transformation?
The sermon mentioned that “we are Billy stories”—living testimonies of God’s grace. What is one part of your story that you could share with someone this week to encourage them?
The phrase “fear not” appears 365 times in the Bible, one for each day. What is one fear you want to bring to God in prayer this week, trusting that his presence is greater than your anxiety?

Sermon Clips

Jesus then asked him "What is your name?" He said "Leion." For many demons had entered him, they begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss. Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these so he gave them permission. [00:27:30]

The tombs are really the only place where he experiences a life that could weirdly be termed unchained, demonized freedom. Now you probably already know this but um in going to the tombs Jesus has done a few things that went against his uh uh what his religion says he should do. [00:36:45]

For once for one thing he's gone to a place that was gentile and uh being a rabbi you just didn't do that secondly he's gone to a place of the dead which would render him ritually unclean and and this is the one that gets me, the crazy naked man ends up being the only reason that Jesus even crosses the lake. [00:37:16]

We all have known someone in our lifetime whose actual name we don't know but instead we've given that person another name that is more descriptive. Since I was 4 foot 10 when I was a freshman in high school will how tall are you 6 foot, you probably bullied me in high school. [00:38:14]

Maybe you've been called a name that really isn't your name, things like the weird guy who lives down the street or the the guy who laughs like a hyena, hat lady, the kid who keeps sticking out his tongue at people, the nerd, the boy with no friends, the kid who hasn't taken a shower in about a year. [00:40:04]

And it's heartbreaking to see that he's lost his identity, the people in town they don't want to be around him and my guess is that he would never be seen as being normal again in their lives and in the whole story even with the happy ending of the story we never find out his name. [00:41:01]

No matter what you've gone through or are going through no matter how much chaos is in your life, no matter what demon or addiction you're wrestling with or have wrestled with, no matter the trail of tears in your past or the pain in the present Jesus will never see you being less of a person. [00:41:50]

No matter how much you devalue yourself or simply don't like yourself, you will never be less than precious in the eyes of Jesus and let me bring the train back in the tracks again. Jesus addresses the man first not the demon, he addresses who he is not what he has become. [00:42:21]

A Roman legion consisted of anywhere from 2,000 to six,000 troops and this man is is overpop populated with demons. Now could it be that in a way a new demon has been birthed for every day that he's lived in the tombs without giving the impression that anyone today who has a mental health problem is demonpossessed? [00:43:05]

Could it be that the idea of demons was how the gospel writers could best explain someone who had a a mental affliction in that time and in saying that do I believe there are demons around today yes I absolutely do do I want to spend the rest of my time this morning talking about demons absolutely not. [00:43:50]

The most important part of the story the most telling point is what happens after that and those tending to the pigs run back to the town and the countryside to report it what has happened and that must have been that must have been quite a shock to those who who uh uh their financial well-being is with that herd of pigs. [00:46:48]

I think sometimes we get so used to routines and patterns that any any change from that routine or pattern we, it just throws us off. We know what has been and we fear what could be. Let me kind of give you a an analogy I know this is going to be a really rough analogy. [00:50:32]

The people of Garrison are used to having a crazy naked man out in the tombs not not a normal guy having a conversation with Jesus and the pigs have drowned the weird guy has been healed. I mean what might be the next thing that happens, everything was understandable until Jesus came. [00:52:24]

If we allow fear to close us in to keep us planted in one spot and and are afraid to risk a step forward we will miss opportunities we will miss divine visits. After all my friends we are people of the tomb because of the one who was in the tomb, a tomb that was sprung wide open. [00:55:00]

You are a Billy story where you are, people will be able to see Jesus in you and the hope of Christ in you where God has positioned you. Fear not, fear not. [00:56:48]

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