Matthew: Healing in His PresenceSample

Demons and Pigs

Remember yesterday's story about the storm on the lake? This story takes place right after that when the disciples and Jesus reached the other side of the lake. Hmmm.... it makes you wonder if the cause of that sudden violent storm was more spiritual in nature - the enemy trying to prevent Jesus from coming.

The reason I wonder that is because once they land the boats on shore, two extremely violent and powerful demon-possessed men come up to meet them - yelling at them. These guys had been living in a graveyard among tombs. In other gospel accounts of this story (Mark 5: 1 - 20 and Luke 8:26-39), one of the men was so violent, he broke free from iron chains meant to contain him. People living nearby couldn't even pass that way because of these violent men.

But watch what happens when Jesus arrives. The demon-possessed men come out to meet Jesus, but it was the demons speaking through the men. And even more interesting is that the demons were scared of Jesus. "`What do you want with us, Son of God?"' they shouted. "`Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?'" (v. 29)

The demons understood Jesus' power and authority as the Son of God. With one word, Jesus could send them to Hell, a place the demons didn’t want to go. The demons begged Jesus not to torture them before their appointed time. Wow. If demons are scared of Hell, how horrible must it be?

Jesus commanded the demons to leave the men. And the demons immediately fled, finding their next target to torture, a herd of pigs. What a shock it must have been to the townspeople to see these formerly crazy and violent men now in their right minds. They were at peace and free from the internal prisons that had kept them in bondage for so long.

Questions:

1. How does knowing that even demons fear Jesus’ authority affect the way you face the spiritual battles in your own life?

2. In what areas of your life do you feel held captive, and how might you invite Jesus to bring freedom and peace?

3. What fears or doubts might be trying to keep you chained, and how can you trust Jesus’ power to break those chains?