Slices
Prepare
Not only are wind and waves subject to God, but also demons and evil spirits. Praise God for his victorious power!
Bible passage
Jesus restores two demon-possessed men
28 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, 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.
Explore
This is sobering stuff. The reality of the forces of evil at work. Yet Jesus, as always, was totally in control of the situation and the demons knew it (vs 29,31)! How reassuring to know that now, as well as then, God confronts the darkness with his Son, the light of the world.
Two thousand years later, darkness still surrounds us but, ‘… thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Jesus’ encounter with these men, shortly after calming the raging storm, was hugely significant. According to Jewish law, they were ‘unclean’ in three ways: they were Gentiles, they were demon possessed, and they lived among graves (v 28). Jesus saw beyond these restraints, the violence and the abuse. Once again, he intervened in a seemingly hopeless situation and overcame it dramatically and powerfully. What a vivid demonstration for those poor men, as their terrible affliction was dealt with, once and for all. It was finished! Having shown his power over the forces of nature, Jesus now showed his power over the forces of evil.
Respond
Give thanks to God that ‘… neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers … will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Romans 8:38,39).
Deeper Bible study
‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.’1
My children find the fate of the pigs in this passage somewhat alarming. I try to reassure them that the question of whether Jesus likes pigs is not one this text asks (though I’m sure it’s possible to construct a theology of animal welfare from Scripture more generally). Rather, the pigs perform a function: as ritually unclean animals they are an appropriate vehicle for unclean demons.2 In fact, Matthew is not even very interested in the demon-possessed men (unlike Mark and Luke in parallel passages).3 He tells this episode – trimmed of extraneous detail – to emphasise one thing: Jesus’ authority and power over the hosts of darkness.
He does this first by describing the demons’ reaction to Jesus. Despite their violent character, the mere presence of Jesus terrifies them (v 29). As supernatural creatures, they immediately perceive Jesus’ significance, recognising him as ‘Son of God’, the one who will be their judge. Second, Jesus drives them out with a single word (v 32). No magical incantations are required: Jesus’ authority is such that he simply opens his mouth and the forces of evil flee before him. ‘… he lifts his voice, the earth melts!’4 Third, it is significant that this demonstration of Jesus’ power takes place on the far side of the lake (v 28). His authority extends beyond boundaries, then and now. Where are those places beyond boundaries today, where you can pray to see God’s power displace the darkness?
Finally, Jesus’ power greatly perturbs the people of this town (v 34). Matthew does not explain why they begged him to leave, but it seems they were unprepared for the effects of Christ’s kingdom coming among them. We are likely to observe similar reactions to Jesus’ power today: do not be disheartened.
Pray for those you live among, that they may be prepared for the disrupting power of Christ.
1 Isa 9:2 2 Lev 11:7; Deut 14:8 3 Mark 5:1–20; Luke 8:26–39 4 Ps 46:6
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Chronicles 8,9; Psalm 72
Pray for Scripture Union
At the heart of the new framework is the desire to see Grow Communities emerge. Pray for the team in the north region as they work to turn this into reality alongside churches who have established Grow Communities, are planning them or have yet to catch the vision.
