Legion in the Bible is a powerful story that reminds us of the power of our God, it also reminds us that no one is too far from His reach. In this story of a big God seeking out one tortured soul, there is so much hope for our everyday lives and reminders of the character of our God.
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Legion Bible Story
Only He knows where to meet us, only He knows where to break through the walls imprisoning us. Only He can find us when everyone else has given up. Only He journeys out- only God stops everything to seek us out. How often I’m surprised by God’s priorities- because I’ve rushed ahead instead of stepping in tandem and letting Him lead. I find myself wordless, breathless, awestruck in the face of His goodness.
Legion In The Bible Verse
The story of Legion in the Bible can be found in Mark 5 and Luke 8, we don’t get a ton of information on the man only known as Legion in the Bible, only that he had been in this condition for a long time. Because of the legion of demons possessing him, he has been driven into solitary places and is now living amongst the tombs of his village alone and hopeless. People have tried to keep him from hurting himself, they tried to restrain him but the Bible says that he was able to break the chains binding him. It also tells us that Legion in the Bible was in great anguish, and would cry out and cut himself with sharp stones.
They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. Mark 5:1-5 NIV
While similar I think these two accounts of Legion in the Bible add depth to his story as we compare them. Mark jumps straight into the story, while Luke gives us a bit more detail to develop the story.
They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. Luke 8:26-29 NIV
From these two accounts several things are clear about Legion in the Bible:
- Jesus and the disciples cross the Sea of Galilee to the region of Gerasenes.
- No reason is given for this sudden trip.
- When Jesus steps foot on the shore He is met by a demon possed man known as Legion.
- This man has been beyond the help of human hands. He’s been living in bondage, in secluded places, and living in absolute anguish.
- Legion in the Bible calls out to Jesus acknowledging who He is (son of the Most High God), and asks what Jesus wants from him.
Who Is Legion In The Bible?
Legion in the Bible is a man possessed by demons, his encounter with Jesus changed his life. Like so many others that Jesus seeks out to save, he was out of hope. He was beyond the help of human hands, no one could save him, no one could set him free- until Jesus stepped foot on that shore.
We don’t know much of Legion in the Bible’s back story, or what happened to bring him to this place. We don’t know how many people had tried to help him, or where his family has ended up. Instead, the Bible introduces us to a tortured man desperate for a savior.
Meaning Of Legion In The Bible
The meaning of Legion in the Bible is a multitude or a large number of beings. The word Legion was common in Biblical times because it was the largest unit in the Roman army. At this time a legion averaged about 5,000 fighting men (this number could vary having thousands of more troops in the unit, or fewer). When this possessed man tells Jesus his name is legion in Mark 5 and Luke 8 demoniac of the Gerasenes was possessed by a large number of unclean spirits or demons.
What Is Legion’s Real Name?
Sadly this demonic identity has taken completely over this man’s identity. The Bible does tell us what this man’s name really is. We can only identify him as Legion.
The Man Possessed By Legion In The Bible
God Seeks Out Legion In The Bible
God Had A Plan For Legion In The Bible
What Can We Learn From Legion In The Bible
God Sought Out Legion In The Bible
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!”Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. NIV
Jesus rebuked the storm. He doesn’t rebuke nature for acting as it should, for working as it was created to- and yet this time He does. You are important because of your storm. If He went through a storm to save this man, to restore him, to seek him out like a lost lamb and He went to Calvary for you, how important must you be to Him? Grace did what chains could never do. Mercy did what judgment could never do. Love set Legion in the Bible free. Love set you free. How valuable you are to Him!
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