30 Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"
"Legion," he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31 And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.
This demoniac portrays perfectly what Satan has in store for humankind – no matter how enticing the apple he thrusts in our faces. All the enticements end up with the same results – alone in blackest darkness, naked and homeless. We would do well to play out in our minds this end result before ever taking a bite of his malignant fruit. Jesus tells us:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV)
Remember also how Jesus describes Satan:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44 (NIV)
When Jesus asks this demon possessed man his name, He is asking for more than just what he is called. In those days people’s names were reflective of their character, their reputation. Interestingly, the name “Legion” means a division of three to six thousand men in the ancient Roman army indicating a large organized body, a vast host, a multitude or number. A pathetic sight for certain – hopeless and helpless to change anything about his dire condition. We prayerfully have no idea what it means to be possessed by such monsters but I am certain we can relate to circumstances that we have felt totally powerless. Jesus desires to remedy our situations too – whatever they may be. Oftentimes it takes these instances to remind us of our total dependency upon Him. We have a tendency to start thinking and acting like two year olds who stomp their feet and say, “I can do it myself!” Sometimes He lets us and we see where it gets us! All the while He is gently whispering in our ears: 28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matt 11:28-30 (NIV) Come to Me, learn from Me, find rest from Me, and place upon you My easy yoke and light burden. Let us not be like those in the time of Jeremiah: 20 "Long ago you broke off your yoke and tore off your bonds; you said, 'I will not serve you!'
Indeed, on every high hill and under every spreading tree you lay down as a prostitute.21 I had planted you like a choice vine of sound and reliable stock. How then did you turn against me
into a corrupt, wild vine? Jer 2:20-21 (NIV)
The Bible Knowledge Commentary says of the above verse: “Judah’s spiritual apostasy was matched by her spiritual adultery. By describing Judah as a spiritual nymphomaniac Jeremiah pictured her insatiable lust for false gods. Jeremiah painted four verbal pictures of Judah to describe her wayward state. The first picture was an animal that had broken its yoke. Judah broke off her yoke that had bound her to the Lord and followed after the gods of her heathen neighbors. She set up worship centers on every high hill (frequently called “high places”) to serve these gods. Spiritually Judah was acting like a prostitute, though Jeremiah’s words could also refer to the sexual perversions that accompanied the worship of Baal.” God loves us and knows exactly what is best for us. It is the deception of Satan to dangle false gods in our faces inferring that God is holding out on us. If we fall for the tempter’s treats along with it comes an added bonus for an insatiable lust for more. We are never satisfied with any of it. It always takes more and more and more – no matter what the more is. A little sin is never enough. He longs to rescue us from this deep pit. I love what David says in 2 Samuel:17 "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. 18 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. 2 Sam 22:17-18 (NIV) 33 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. 34 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. 2 Sam 22:33-34 (NIV) God’s desire is for us to stand on the heights. Praise Him! “The devil tempts that he may ruin; God tests that He may crown.” Ambrose