“Matthew 8:28-34”

Friday, May 29, 2020

“When He came to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, two men who were demon-possessed met Him as they were coming out of the tombs. They were so extremely violent that no one could pass by that way. And they cried out, saying, ‘What business do we have with each other, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?’ Now there was a herd of many swine feeding at a distance from them. The demons began to entreat Him, saying, ‘If You are going to cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.’ And He said to them, ‘Go!’ And they came out and went into the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the waters. The herdsmen ran away, and went to the city and reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they implored Him to leave their region.”

---End of Scripture Verses---

Please read Mark 5:1-17 in conjunction with today’s passage. Mark adds many details that Matthew leaves out.

In Matthew’s account two men are mentioned but in Mark’s only one. Mark focuses on the strongest, most violent of the two men. Mark also emphasizes the supernatural strength of this tormented fellow. He ripped his chains apart and tore his shackles in pieces and no one was strong enough to subdue him (Mark 5:4). This guy was completely uncontrollable and he didn’t even have the ability to control himself. Friends, when your wheels are coming off the tracks and your life is just a total train wreck, there’s really only one Being strong enough give you the kind of help you really need: Jesus.

Let’s look at the before and after picture of this man that Satan had victimized for so long. Before Jesus came into his life he was crazed and out of control. He was a danger to himself and to others. He beat and cut himself with stones. He was naked, miserable, isolated. He had one other person in his life, but that wretched soul was no better off than he was. That was more of a case of “misery loves company” than anything else. This pitiful guy was so tormented that when the demons were cast out and went into the pigs (2 thousand of them according to Mark 5:13!) they all ran off a steep cliff and killed themselves. It’s amazing that, at some point, this poor fellow hadn’t done the same thing. I think Jesus allowed this “Legion” of demons to enter the swine to show us just how violently tormented this unfortunate man was.

Let’s look to Mark’s and Luke’s account to help us see the picture of the man after Jesus had come into his life. He was sitting down calmly, instead of running through tombs and cliffs screaming and crying (Mark 5:5, 15). He was wearing clothes after having been naked for many days (Luke 26:27). He was no longer a crazed lunatic, but sitting there in his right mind (Mark 5:15). The change being described here is the difference between night & day. He had been out of control, out of his mind, unclean, unhealthy, unfit for society. What one thing accounted for the complete and total transformation made in this man’s life? JESUS!

Are you battling something that’s way too big for you to deal with right now? Please don’t try to battle it without Jesus.

Please read Matthew 8:22-25 for tomorrow – Jesus calms a storm.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

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