Reformation Day

On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the door of a church.
It was the door of the Schlosskirche (Castle Church) in Wittenberg, Germany.
Luther objected to the doctrine and practice of selling indulgences.
His 95 Theses literally sparked the Reformation.

Aided by the printing press, Luther’s 95 Theses were widely printed and distributed.
His 95 Theses were translated from Latin to German.
In two weeks, copies spread throughout Germany.
In two months, copies spread throughout Europe.

Two years later, in 1519, the writings of Luther reached France, England, and Italy.
It was said that Luther had no intention of confronting the church.
He wrote his 95 Theses as a scholarly objection to church practices.

The Castle Church doors faced Wittenberg’s main thoroughfare.
The doors functioned as a public bulletin board and many people posted notices there.
The Reformation impacted all aspects of society.
At its heart, it was a religious movement; a rediscovery of salvation by grace through faith.

We forget that October 31st is Reformation Day.
Now, it is known for something else…a day to get candy and dress in costumes.
Hollywood has turned this day into a day to celebrate darkness.
Because God worked through a simple man in Germany, it is a day of Light.

Jesus dealt with the Man of the Tombs.
I can just imagine what Hollywood would have done with this story.
God’s Word handles it perfectly.

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet Him. This man lived in the tombs,  and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that You won’t torture me!” For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man you evil spirit!” Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many” And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man and told them about the pigs as well. The people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man, who had been demon-possessed begged to go with Him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how He has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And the people were amazed. (Mark 5:1-20)

What happened to the pigs would have happened to the man.
Satan wants to destroy the image of God in a person.
No one could subdue this demon-possessed man; no one could get near him.
No one but Jesus.

After the man met Jesus, he was restored.
The demons could not stay.
The man was sitting there, dressed and in his right mind.
The image of God was clearly seen in the man.

The restoration of the man made the people afraid.
They begged Jesus to leave their region.
The man who HAD BEEN demon possessed, wanted to go with Jesus.
Jesus did not let him but gave him a job instead: GO AND TELL!

“Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how He has had mercy on you.”

The man obeyed.
How could he not obey Jesus?

Two thousand pigs drowned, which was a horrible blow to the region’s economy.
The fact that pigs were even in the region tells us that this was pagan territory.
The man became a missionary among the pagan people in his own hometown.

We all remember a time of “had been” before we met Jesus.
We, like the man, are chained to things that possess us.
In Christ, there is total freedom!
In Christ, the image of God is clearly seen.

We are so grateful to be dressed in His clothes of righteousness.
We are so grateful to be in our right mind.
We have the mind of Christ.

Go and Tell how much the Lord has done for you and how He has had mercy on you.