“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 8:33-39) The story of the Gerasene demoniac is truly action-packed: the crazy man! the pigs! the abject terror on the part of the demons and humans alike as Jesus reveals his power and authority!  Yes, there is an awful lot going on here.  What stands out to me this week is the aftermath of the miracle.  It is the part where the healed man asks if he too, might follow Jesus.  Jesus’ response is rather surprising as he sends the man out on his own mission: to testify to what God has done for him.  I wonder sometimes what took more power and grace: his deliverance or the courage necessary to return home.  Can you imagine the remarks as he returned, “Well, it’s nice to see you wearing clothes for a change!” “Well, Mr. Spooky, what do you have to say for yourself?”  And of course, his response is that he really no longer has anything to say for himself.  Instead, his call is to tell everyone what Jesus has done for him.  For you see, the grace of healing is also the grace of commissioning and sending.  So the story closes in an unusual way for Luke’s Gospel.  For here is a faithful disciple prior to the resurrection and Pentecost.  Here is a man who has met the Lord and obeyed him, witnessing to God’s goodness and power.  How about you?  How about me?  How are we doing telling the story of all that God has done for us?  Have a great week!