Matthew 8:32

Matt 8:32 And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters.

The disciples had just witnessed Jesus calming the storm. The miracle of the winds and waves immediately becoming calm showed the disciples that Jesus was Lord over the natural realm. They were about to learn He is also Lord over the supernatural realm as He will soon calm the tormented souls of two demon possessed men. Aren’t you glad that is still true today? Jesus can and does speak peace into our troubled hearts as easily as He calms a raging sea. 

The account in Matt 8:28-34 lets us know once the storm ceased the disciples and Jesus made their way to the region of the Gadarenes where two demon possessed men resided. These demon possessed men lived in an area of tombs and pig farming. Two things considered unclean by the Jews. Still, Jesus went to this area for these men. Praise the Lord! He is still doing this today. Jesus came and still comes to SEEK and to save those who are lost.

The demons in these two men immediately began to call out to Jesus and referred to Him as the Son of God. They were concerned Jesus had come to torment them before their time of judgment. They begged Jesus to send them into a heard of pigs that were feeding nearby. Our verse for today confirms Christ did send them into the pigs who immediately ran down a steep bank into the sea and drowned. The demons clearly believed three things to be true. They believed in the existence of God, that Christ was the Son of God and in a judgment to come. The demons must have also believed in prayer and as they knew Christ had the power to send them into the pigs. They were correct as when Christ said “Go” the demons immediately went out of the men into the pigs.

As intensely as the demons pleaded to go into the pigs, the townspeople plead for Jesus to go away from their region. What a tragedy. Jesus is at their very shore to cast out demons, to heal the sick, to tell the good news of His kingdom and they beg Him to leave. How many lives went unchanged, how many sick went unhealed, how many captives went unreleased because a herd of pigs was judged more valuable than human souls?

Jesus never stays where He is not welcome. America keeps telling the Lord to leave, leave our courthouses, leave our schools and leave our public squares. Let’s make sure Christ is welcome in our churches, our homes, our lives and our hearts. Repent and invite Him into your heart and life. You will never regret doing so. Not in this life or the life to come.

Tim