The Demoniac On Our Stage

Preaching evangelistic meetings in Africa can be a very interesting experience.  One time, a man came running up to the stage, yelling and screaming incoherently.  Reuben Kingamkono, my translator, and I stood on the stage, looking at him.  At first I thought he wanted to attack us, but he couldn’t touch us.  It was almost as if he was stopped by some invisible hand.  I remember thinking that I was not afraid, but I didn’t know what to do.  It seemed clear to me that the man was demon-possessed and was probably trying to reach out for help. Reuben stood there saying, “Toka, pepo!  Toka, pepo!  (Leave, demon!  Leave, demon!)” 

The deacons who were helping out with the practical issues at the meetings came and took the man away.  They took him back behind the stage and began to pray in earnest over him.  As Reuben and I resumed the sermon, the poor guy was surrounded by dedicated Christians who covered him in prayer.  After a time of prayer, he calmed down and began to speak clearly again.

As I have often thought back on that moment in time, I have wondered what, if anything, I could have done differently.  I was not scared in the face of another human who was apparently under the control of a wicked supernatural power.  Yet, I did not know what to do.  I knew that I was under protection and would not be hurt, but I did not know how to exercise that faith to help the poor sufferer in front of me. 

Episodes that like one make me appreciate Jesus and His ministry much more.  He never wavered in His interaction with malevolent forces.  He never gave place to the devil or left a helpless sufferer in his or her misery.  He rebuked the devil and his demons, and they were forced to obey His word. 

I am now about the same age as Jesus was when He died.  As I look at His life, I see so clearly how different I am from Him.  As I think of what my little three-year stint of mission service accomplished compared to His three-and-a-half year time of ministry, I am humbled and awed at the power of The Man.  He lived a life like no other.  He lives today so we can live in us, as well.  Oh, for a faith that not only lets me know I am secure in His protection, but which also acts for the benefit of others!  Oh, to be a partaker of the divine nature!  And, if I do not have the knowledge of how to help the next demon-possessed person I meet, I hope that I again am around those who do!