Sermon — Pr. Tony Sikora — Proper 7

Stepping out of the boat Jesus is met by a man from the tombs.  He is a man unlike others, though very much like all.  He is possessed by the devil, under the rule of a legion of demons.  He is naked and his strength can break chains.  He is a man unlike many others.  But this man is also a gentile.  He is unclean to the Jews.  He is unclean because of unbelief.  He is unclean because of sin.  Together with his legion this man is the epitome of all men apart from God.  He is the most unclean, living in an unclean place, with an unclean people, surrounded by unclean animals.  He is a man unlike others but he is also very much like all people.