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. (Luke 8:34-36)
We don’t know exactly how long this man had suffered demon possession, but we do know that what he suffered was great since he was kept under guard in chains, living naked and among the tombs, and often driving him out into the desert. And immediately after being healed and having this legion of demons cast out, the first thing we see of him is that he’s clothed, in his right mind, and sitting at the feet of his Healer.
These three things are significant!
1.) He was Clothed
Seeing that this man was often naked, living in his shame as people saw his nakedness regularly, now being fully clothed restored the dignity of this man. It’s also a beautiful picture of any person who is healed from their sin and a warning to anyone who may be walking the line of Christianity instead of on fire for Jesus. Just as was written to the church in Laodicea:
For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. (Revelation 3:17-18)
2.) He was in His Right Mind
This man had been perceived as rather crazy, and rightfully so seeing as he had around 6,000 demons possessing him before Jesus healed him. Living among tombs, breaking through shackles, and hanging out in the desert is not exactly the actions of one in their right mind. But, when Jesus healed him, he could think and act clearly. Though we may never have been demon possessed, we know that it is through God that we have a spirit of love, power, and a sound mind.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
3.) He was Sitting at the Feet of Jesus
This man, whose mind and body would have never had rest while possessed by demons, was resting in submission and reverence to the One who had healed him. In Luke, we also saw Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, sitting at the feet of Jesus and He said it was the good portion and would not be taken from her. Likewise, the sinful woman, which we looked at in Luke 7 a little while back, fell at Jesus’ feet, kissing them and anointing them as she wiped them with her hair. There is something about being healed from much that brings one to humbly take one’s place at the feet of Jesus, Lord and Savior.
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching…. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:38-39, 42)
And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment… And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace. (Luke 7:37-38,50)
Haven’t You Also Been Healed?
Now, I don’t think you probably ever had a habit of running around naked and insane, but if you’re a follower of Jesus, you too have been healed. As one who has been healed by Jesus, clothed in His righteousness and given a spirit of love, power, and a sound mind, do you take the time to sit at the feet of your Savior?
We have been saved and given so much – being blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1), yet it’s seemingly so easy to get busy with the schedule for any given day and either keep putting off sitting at His feet until there’s no time left in the day or forget to do it altogether.
Is Jesus not worthy to have you sit at His feet every day?
I encourage you to make the time to spend with your Savior, worshipping Him as you sit at His feet and listen to Him speak to you.