Our lectionary reading in Luke 8:26-39 provides us with an understanding of the importance of the deliverance of our soul and our eternity in Jesus Christ in contrast to a generation of ‘pig worshipers’ who worshipped this temporary world. The lectionary recounts the story of Jesus casting a legion of demons out of a man who was untameable in the region of Gadara. In this story, with parallel accounts found in the other two synoptic Gospels—Matthew 8:28-34 and Mark 5:1-20—Jesus encounters a man living in a graveyard, in chains, who refuses to wear clothes and is controlled by demons. Jesus demonstrated his power over Satan by commanding the demons to leave him.

The Gadarene madman is the scapegoat of the entire generation – community, church and family, a representative demoniac. He bears the demons, the unclean spirit, the pain and agony of everyone. He is the recipient of the accusations of the demons of the generation (village). He is naked, a symbol of shame, and thus bears the shame of the entire generation (community) (Luke 8:27, Mk 5:15). He cuts himself with stones (Mark 5:5). He executes himself while still living by stoning. He is also on self-execution on behalf of the community. He bears death and damnation in himself for the rest of the generation (community) by living in the tomb (Mk 5:2, 5).

Jesus’ instructions to the Gadarene madman are lessons for the family, church, and nation in pain, decline, and shame of immorality, among others. Many families, churches, and nations are going through self-inflicted execution, death and decline. Many families, churches, and nations have lost control and must be maintained, held, controlled, and kept under various human policies, controls, and guards.

Jesus is the only hope for the Gadarene generation. Jesus can cast the offending demons who have come to steal, kill, and destroy the family, church, and nation into some nearby pigs (the swine), a mirror image of the generation (Mk 5:13). To the demons, the people (generation) are as unclean as the pigs; hence, people and pigs are suitable homes for demons.

Jesus, in His power, sent the demons into the swine. The response of the residents asking Jesus to depart resonates with what is happening today in families, churches, schools, and nations that denounce Jesus. The Gadarene residents (generation) felt happy and loving to see the madman healed and loved, but not at the expense of their livestock, that is their economy, pride, and business. The Gadarene generation is more concerned about their possessions (the swine) than Jesus’ possession – ‘the deliverance from evil and the potential spiritual benefits that Jesus offered.’ No wonder Jesus departed from them. He left one man cured of his problem and a town full of people (a generation) clinging to their sins.

The question is, who is more possessed, the man possessed by demons or the generation possessed by pride, sin, and materialism.?

In reflection, the family, church, and nation resemble the Gadarenes, those who want and know Jesus to be loving and to solve their problems but save their pigs, livestock, pride, and economy. Gadarenes generation – family, church, and nation do not want to upset things or get radical. The Gadarenes generation wants change and revival, but if it does not change them. However, this is not Jesus’ way.

Gadarene’s generation highlights the people’s preference for their material possessions (their swine) over the presence and ministry of Jesus. Gadarene generation ‘prioritized their economic interests and asked Jesus to leave their region, demonstrating a rejection of his miraculous power and a lack of faith.’

There is hope for the Gadarene generation to experience revival and renewal, to become a brand-new convert, and old things will pass away, and all things will become new. No generation can go crazier than this madman – ‘lewd, violent, obsessed with death, defiant of all authority, and possessed by thousands of demons.’ There is hope for the pagan nation, just as Jesus told the regenerated madman, “Go home and tell your friends and family what I did for you.” The man said to his people, “Jesus saved me.” Beloved, Jesus can save the uttermost of the Gadarene generation of pig worshippers if they would only believe.