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!” (Luke 8:26-28)
Reading about the demon-possessed man falling at Jesus’ feet made me think back to my childhood when my mom, my sister, and I were in the musical, “The King and I.” My sister and I, the king’s children, fell at his feet as his children were required to do. My mom played Tup Tim, who was given as a gift to the king, and she was thrown at the king’s feet awaiting punishment for having another lover. In the next scene it was announced that Tup Tim ran away.
Running away is the normal response to fearing someone, yet the naked, homeless, demon-possessed man fell at Jesus’ feet. I’ve pictured myself on my first day in heaven, falling in awe before the thrones of God and Jesus, so thankful and happy to be chosen as royalty. But despite Jesus’ light exposing the demon’s wrongdoings, the demon was also in awe as he encountered Jesus.
Dearest Heavenly father, thank you for your grace and hope that someday I, too, will meet you in person and fall at your feet in awe. I pray you’ll show mercy to all the demon-possessed who fall at your feet. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.
Happy Mother’s Day, Jody! It has been along time since I thought of the King and I. I do remember falling at the King’s feet. I believe that we will both fall at the feet of God and Christ to enter Heaven. I believe this will happen because we believe and have faith. BUT, I also believe that the non-believers will fall at the feet of Christ and have their chance at redemption.
Yes, I hope that point becomes more clear at the end of the story. Evil has such a stronghold over this man, even Jesus, in person did not extract evil from this man easily. We don’t always realize the horrible things that go on in the lives of children, and they never have a chance through adulthood until they meet Jesus.