Made Free by Jesus

by John Comer

I am not a wise man, but I am an experienced one. I have suffered greatly but have been blessed beyond measure. I know more about Beelzebub and his infesting hordes than any human should know, but I have also experienced firsthand the goodness of God.

I know that man was created in the image of God. I know that this image was stolen away from me by demonic powers. It was as though my very soul was taken from me. Those who use the Greek language use the word Ego, “I am.” I could never have used that word, for I was not. My personality was absent. Unclean spirits took over my mind and body.

What I remember and what I have been told about those demon years confirms my feeling of horror about them. No human being, Jew or Gentile, could want to be a screaming madman. And the self-destructive behavior? The unexplainable strength? Who would choose to run naked, frighteningly animal-like, wild and terrifying?

I watched that boatload of men approach the shore. Jesus took the power away from my infesting captors as he commanded the powers of evil that dominated me to come out. What was happening? Though I had no control over myself, I heard myself asking, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me.”

I know that when Jesus asked my name, the voice from within me answered, “Legion.” This time the demons were being truthful. Perhaps they thought that a whole army of unclean spirits would frighten Jesus away.

I knew the demons within me were pleading with Jesus when usually they would have been absolutely dominating the situation, not pleading. Could Jesus control them? Then, suddenly, exhilarating freedom! My own thought processes working. My body responding. I was myself again! This man who arrived from across the lake in a fishing boat gave me back my life.

I begged Jesus to let me get into the boat and go with him.  But he told me to go home and   go throughout the Decapolis, the Gentile-dominated Ten Cities, telling how much the Lord has done for me, sharing the story of his mercy.

If you ask my identity, I will   tell you. I am a man made free   by Jesus, Son of the Most High God. He wants me to tell people. I have told you.