Matthew 8:8 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes,[c] two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” 30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” 32 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33 Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
It happened in Manhattan many years ago. We were walking down the street when suddenly a homeless woman took one look at us and began screaming at us. Not long after that, another homeless person took one look at us and ran away. We were perplexed; we hadn’t done anything unusual to make these people freak out. When we described our experiences to the elders of the church we were attending, they said, “Oh, those people had demons. The demons in them sensed the Jesus in you, and they couldn’t stay around you.”
There are several very interesting parts to this story. First, notice that Jesus arrived specifically at the location frequented by the two demon – possessed men. Was this an accident? Scarcely! Jesus probably had whoever was handling the boat he was in steer right for that spot. Can you imagine the conversations in the boat as they were heading straight for these two scary guys?
“Jesus, you want us to go WHERE? You know those guys are going to tear us limb from limb! Nobody has been able to pass that way in years. They even stopped burying people in those tombs because of those two men. Are you crazy?”
Next, notice that all Jesus did was to get out of the boat and walk toward the two demon – possessed men. Jesus didn’t say anything; it was the demons who began accusing Jesus. The demons knew that Jesus was going to order them to leave the two men, so they suggested that Jesus allow them to enter the swine. Jesus doesn’t have a conversation with the demons; he simply tells them “Go!” and they leave the men.
Why was there a herd of pigs there in the first place? Pigs were considered unclean animals and no Jew would touch pork. Evidently, these pigs were being raised to be sold to Gentiles who wouldn’t be so picky. The reaction of the townspeople is also fascinating. These two guys had been terrorizing the area. You might think that the local people would be thrilled to find that the demons were gone, but no. The whole town went out to meet Jesus and begged him to leave. Were they also demonically influenced or simply afraid of anybody who had that kind of power?
Demons and their influence are very real and very dangerous. Recently there were cartoons released that purported to teach kids how to summon demons. This is crazy! You don’t have to go looking for demons; they can easily find you. But the fallacy many people wish to believe is that you will somehow be able to control the demons. Nothing could be further from the truth! Inevitably, the demons will end up controlling you and your life will be ruined. Today, search your heart! Examine yourself! Are there any areas of your life into which demons can enter? There are really only two paths in the universe: you will either follow God or Satan. Which will it be?
PRAYER: Father God, today we are afraid! We don’t want to invite demons into our lives, but we are unsure about some of the things we have seen on television or on the internet. It was your power that Jesus used to cast out demons. Please Lord, clean our hearts and minds so that we can follow you and only you. In the mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.
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