Matthew 8:28-31

Matthew 8:28-31

And after He came into the other side into the region of the Gadarenes, two who are possessed by demons met up with Him while coming out of the tombs – exceedingly violently – so that no person had the ability to pass by through that road.  And behold!  They cried out while saying, “What is for us and for you, Son of God?  Did you come here before the time to torture us?”  And a large herd of pigs was being fed a long way off from them.  And the demons earnestly requested from Him while saying, “If you cast us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Today, let’s look at these demon possessed men.  There are some who will want to write this story off as a psychological illness – denying that demon possession can even occur.  However, the fact that Jesus treats the men as demon possessed is good enough for me.  I would imagine that the Son of God would know the difference between a clinical psychological disorder and a demon possession.  So I believe it is important to see these as demon-possessed men and honor the witness of scripture.

How do you react to the idea of demon possession?  Why is it a topical that is so easily swept under the rug, ignored, and simply not spoken about often?

Second Thought:

Notice what Satan does when he truly gets a hold upon us.  Yes, he tempts us away from God.  But when he truly gets a hold on us and sinks his claws into our life, he destroys community.  He destroys our peace.  He destroys our self-control.  He destroys our sanity even!  He robs us of the joy of friends and neighbors.  This is the effect of Satan’s influence upon our life.  We see this clearly in the lives of the demon-possessed.

When have you experienced the effects of Satan upon your life?  While you hopefully didn’t get into it as deeply as these men, would you agree that Satan affected your sanity, self-control, and overall ability to enjoy the community God placed around you?

Third Thought:

Let’s also talk about the effect of society upon these men.  Let’s confess.  They are men in need.  But they find themselves ostracized.  The society is powerless to deal with them.  Society is powerless to restore them.  All that society can hope to do is drive them out far enough so as to not be a bother to anyone.  If we read this text in light of the longer version in Mark 5:1-21 we can actually see that society even attempted to bind up the demon-possessed!  Society can be a very good thing indeed, but only when it is rooted in godliness.  A godless society is powerless against the influences of Satan and the demons who follow him.  A godless society is powerless to help those who are in need because they are perishing!

Why is it important to remember that God created us to be communal beings and thus society can be a good thing in our life?  Why is it important to remember that society is not the most important thing in life and that without God society is unable to fulfill the desire for community that God planted within us?

Passage for Tomorrow: Matthew 8:32-34