And he cried out with a loud voice, "Let us alone! What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are-the Holy One of God!" (Luke 4:33, 34 NASB)
There are many things I would expect a demon-possessed man to shout, but this is a little surprising. When the man shouted, "Let us alone!" he was probably not speaking of the crowd in the synagogue. "Us" implies the man and his demon. He recognized himself as separate yet intertwined with the demon, but he is not asking to be freed. He is asking to stay in bondage. There are those who would say that "the devil made him do it," and there may be truth in that. Regardless, however this demonic force first entered his life, he was not seeking release.
That's not an uncommon reaction when the subject of life-altering change is broached. People with addictions frequently say, "I can't" when asked about giving up their addiction. Life without whatever it is on which they depend, whether a physical addiction or a spiritual oppression or possession, seems impossible to achieve, much less to maintain.
People who live their lives separate from Christ cannot begin to imagine the life Christ would bring. They are often comfortable in their routines and have succeeded in the world's eyes to a degree that makes change seem both unnecessary and unwanted. Children who renounce their faith for one reason or another often do not see a need to return.
Even without seeing a need for change, without wanting change, this man had a divine appointment for which he was in attendance. His life was about to change in a remarkable way. Imagine that! He was not seeking Jesus but Jesus was seeking him.
I like the idea of an appointment with God, and I have a standing appointment with Him every day. It's life-changing. Perhaps a divine appointment is what our loved ones need. Pray today that our Seeking and Saving Lord will arrange a "divine appointment" and draw our loved ones to a life-changing encounter with Him.
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