Last weekend, we read the story of Jesus calming the storm, and it starts with Him saying to His disciples, “Let’s go to the other side of the lake.”  The other side was predominantly Gentile; it was filled with pagan temples and pagan practices; the Jews considered it unclean.  So it was “other” not only geographically, but racially and spiritually too.  Good Jews avoided it.  But Jesus acted like He owned it, like the other side was His side too.  If you’re going to follow Jesus, you’re going to the other side.  You are going to move toward those who are different.  You are going to take the good news to the other side.  So what happened when they got to the other side?  My oh my!  Here’s the story: 

Luke 8:26-39 (p. 889)

26 They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. 27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29 For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary