UNLIKELY WITNESSES
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Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to walk through this day in ways that please you, that testify to those around me about your love, grace, and mercy.
Read MATTHEW 8:28—34
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Matthew
Matthew 8
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.
Reflect
‘Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.’1
Here, we see how the most unlikely people (in this case, two demoniacs and some gentile pig herders) may yet bear powerful witness to the sovereign lordship and saving power of Jesus Christ. After the storm, when Jesus and his disciples reached the hills on the far southeastern side of the Sea of Galilee, they encountered two men who were demon-possessed. These men were living in the cave tombs on the outskirts of the local town. Presumably, they had been thrown out of civilized society because of their violent, antisocial behavior. Prompted by the evil spirits within them, they instantly recognized Jesus for who he was—the Son of God (v. 29). Their questions reveal their fear of him. Perhaps unwittingly, they acknowledged that he and they were poles apart, that his power was far greater than theirs, and even that a time would come when Jesus would test (‘torture’ from a devil’s perspective), judge, and completely defeat them. What an encouraging truth! Pray toward that day when all evil is finally and fully defeated.
The evil spirits knew that the Lord’s compassion would lead him to drive them out of their current hosts, so they suggested that he send them into a nearby herd of pigs. We don’t know why Jesus allowed this, but the pigs’ dramatic, suicidal flight into the water must have provided a very memorable demonstration of his power over evil. The pig herders were certainly impressed. They promptly ran into the local town and told not only about the remarkable loss of the pigs but also the healing of the two men (v. 33). Sadly, the townspeople’s response was not to welcome Jesus with open arms. Rather than rejoicing that two extremely needy people had been healed, they appear to have been chiefly concerned about any potential risk to themselves.
Apply
Examine your life, asking the Holy Spirit to show you areas where you might be acting more like the townspeople than you realize.
Closing prayer
As I meditate on your power over evil, Jesus, I pray against evil forces currently at work in the world, praising you for your great power over all that is against you.
1 Rev 19:1.
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