God, walking among us in Jesus, is setting right what human choices have set askew.

Nowhere is this clearer than in today’s Gospel reading. A man—naked, exiled, tormented—has been taken captive by the powers of this world. Powers that have no rightful authority, powers that claim dominion not theirs to claim. These “legions” occupy the landscape and possess the man, but when they encounter Jesus, they beg to flee. Because the true King has arrived, still veiled for now, but claiming what is his by right.

The same truth echoes in the stilling of the storm just before this story. The One who calms the wind and waves is the Lord of Creation. The forces of chaos and destruction—those that rise up against us—are rebuked, and peace is restored. The disciples, witnessing this, are struck with terror and amazement.

So too the crowds who see Jesus commanding the demons and restoring humanity. Awe. Fear. Wonder.

In these stories, we are witnessing the progress of the King—the healing of what is broken, the restoration of what was lost, the return of harmony to Creation. And all of it points forward—to the Cross, where death itself will be undone. To the Harrowing of Hell, when the tombs will be emptied.

You can view the sermon directly by following this link.