The Demons Know
Luke 8:26-39
Why didn't Jesus send the demons into the abyss?
Photo by Haberdoedas on Unsplash
Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me"-- for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times 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 wilds.) Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" He said, "Legion" 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. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they 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. Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave 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." So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him. - Luke 8:26-39
In the Book of Revelation, the abyss is the final place of torture for demons. It is where they will be sent when Jesus returns. So, why not send these demons there now, rather than wait?
According to the Catechism, demons cannot be redeemed through repentance. So, their choice to separate themselves from God is permanent. It is kind of like being sentenced to life in prison with no chance for parole or pardon.
As bad as that life may be, it is still life rather than death. These demons are on death row, and they are pleading with Jesus to let them stay there.
What I find interesting in this story is the revelation that Jesus has the power to send the demons into the abyss. He could eradicate evil, but he doesn't.
His focus is on saving humanity from its own choices.
Think about what that means for us in this world.
We tend to expect God to protect us from everything bad, from cancer to drive-by shooters, but that isn't God's plan. God didn't create evil in the world. Demons were good angels first.
Whether you believe in demons or not, the message is that evil is a choice, a turning away from God, and we all have that ability in our free will. We can choose evil over good. We have that power, and God doesn't take that away from us.
We become what we choose. And if we make the wrong choices, we could keep ourselves from being with God for all eternity.
Now, if you don't believe in the afterlife, and you don't care about God or anyone who believes in God, you are probably content with this life. You want it to last as long as possible, since at the end is your abyss.
As Jesus makes clear in today's story, you can do that, but don't pull anyone down with you. Go and leave innocent humans alone.
I feel bad for all the pigs out there.
More to come...