the madman of Gadara page 6

the madman of Gadara page 6 by ric Gustafson


Hakim used his staff to keep his swine herd in one place. He was located in a good fertile place with a cliff on one side and the Sea on another. He stared across the field toward the caves. There was a rumor of a madman living there.
One day, he could sense that a big storm was brewing on the Sea. His swine herd was acting different and the Sea was getting more choppy. Then the storm came very quickly. Just as quickly it also stopped. Then, he noticed a small boat approaching the shore. The boat stopped in the beach sand. Two men with oars jumped out. Just then, the madman ran out of a cave and ran toward the boat. He was moaning and rattling a huge chain. The two men raised their oars to defend themselves.
Then, a tall bearded man quietly got out of the boat. He stopped in front of the madman.
I heard a strange voice come out of the madman. " What business do you have with me, Jesus the Son of God".
Jesus pointed a finger at the madman. " Come out of him".
The madman fell flat on his face in the sand.
Jesus stared at him with compassion in his eyes. " What is your name?".
A strange voice came out of the madman's mouth. " Legion".
Hakim heard another strange voice come out of the madman. " Don't send us away". Then a hesitation. " Send us into that swine herd instead".
Jesus glanced over at Hakim's herd. " Go".
Just then, Hakim heard a squeal coming from his herd. He jumped up from the ground to see his herd rushing for the edge of the cliff. He watched in horror as he herd went over the edge into the Sea below. He stopped at the edge, looked below and knew that they had drowned.
Horrified, Hakim ran as fast as he could back to town.

The End


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Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric