MOTIVATE
Arriving in another country is an interesting and intimidating process. You are leaving a place that is home, including all its familiar comforts. And you are entering a place that, regardless of if you’ve been there before, is not your home. Entering a different country includes the process of customs to declare the intention and destination of your trip, and to potentially express any citizens who will be responsible for you while in their country. It is the customs agent’s responsibility to represent and protect their country from potential dangers.
Our text today will explore the greeting Jesus received entering a new region of the country.
EXAMINE Matthew 8:28-34
28 And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” 32 And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men.
34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.
Jesus will cross a raging storm to reach you (8:28).
The previous passages, as we reflected last week, tell of Jesus experiencing one of many long days of ministry. Jesus healed an afflicted leper, a despairing paralyzed servant, and a suffering woman with a fever. It seems word spreads in the neighborhood and that he’s healing people all through the night (Mt 8:16).
Based upon the mounting masses, Jesus instructs the disciples to get into a boat and cross the Sea of Galilee. And Jesus knew two realities
- There were mounting masses on land but there were also swelling storms on the sea.
- On the other side of the sea lived wild and ferocious demons.
Yet, Jesus knowing these realities, sleeps on the boat. What kind of person is at peace during an anxious struggle? What kind of man sleeps during a raging storm and uncertain trouble? Only one who knows who controls the wind and the waves can remain unruffled and composed.
What kind of person is at peace during an anxious struggle? What kind of man sleeps during a raging storm and uncertain trouble? Only one who knows who controls the wind and the waves can remain unruffled and composed.
Jesus was undeterred because He was on a mission to rescue souls. Jesus doesn’t stay safe in rural Nazareth but traveled to irreligious regions beyond the familiarity of Jerusalem. His vision was laser focused on those who were languishing and lost.
Eventually, Jesus knew they would pass through the storm and reach the shore. But the disciples were focused on the moment. The storm sidetracked them from the One who gave them an assignment. Has that ever happened to you?
- Have you ever lost focus of your faith because of a fierce wind?
- Has your vision of the shore ever clouded because you’re too focused on trying to stay afloat amid the waves splashing into your boat?
- Have you forgotten God’s past faithfulness and the LORD’s assignment He gave to you due to overwhelming fear and repeated failure?
If so, you’re in good company. Jesus placed the disciples in the boat so they would remember who to call upon when they’re sinking. Jesus also wanted the disciples to see that when God saves us, He has work for us to do on the other side.
When God saves us, He has work for us to do on the other side.
You see, we read this passage from the departing side rather than the destination side. If we read from the perspective of the destination, then we’ll recognize that the storm is evidence that Jesus is on the way. Instead of viewing God’s plan as a hindrance to our path, we can be confident God is working all things together for good. And the size of your storm is reflective of the scale of God’s blessings for you.
Whatever you’re enduring, God has a purpose. You may not understand why or how long, but you can trust that God will be with you. The LORD said, “Fear not… for when you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you” (Isa 43:2-3).
So, nothing will stop Jesus from pursuing and reaching toward you, though sadly you may not be willing to listen to His commands or receive His hand. We must be ready to listen, learn, and follow His instructions.
- Write down or place in notes app what God is saying to you. Highlight a verse in your Bible and write it out to read it each day this week.
Jesus is more powerful than whatever torments you (8:29-32).
When Jesus reaches the shore, it’s in the country of the Gadarenes. This was known as a Gentile area, certainly evidenced with the present herd of pigs. The customs agents for this region were rather peculiar: two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. There are at least 4 truths that we can recognize about these demon-possessed individuals.
- There are 2 individuals, instead of 1 as in the other Gospel accounts (Mk 5:2; Lk 8:27). We could account for this difference as
- There were 2 demons but the other Gospels only state 1 because only 1 was vocal.[1] Additionally, Mark’s Gospel relays the demon’s name was “Legion,” which was the largest unit of Roman soldiers – 6K. So, maybe Matthew was hinting at the multiple expressions of the demonization.
- Matthew’s way of expressing there were multitude of miracles/exorcisms that Jesus enacted, and he’s combining the narratives.[2]
- They dwell in tombs. Mark 5:3-4 adds they were chained but kept breaking the chains and could not be subdued; as if they’re a ferocious animal. Additionally, Mark 5:5 indicates that day and night the demoniac is crying out among the tombs and cutting himself. Self-harm reasons vary even today – guilt, shame & low-self-esteem, distraction from reality… If these were not enough, Luke 8:27 adds to the description that the demoniac was naked.
The signs of eerie sorrow and death are vivid. In this case, no one wanted (or could) pass this area based upon the demon’s power. When one encounters demonization there is a gravity to life’s circumstances and what takes hold of people’s life decisions that you can feel sorry for them, but you choose not to spend time w/ them.
Those who think they’re immune from demonization are often the ones who keep living among tombs of empty pleasures and dead-end decisions. - They know Jesus’ identity. They call Jesus the 8:29 Son of God. The Bible presents demons and the devil as having excellent theology. They believe in God’s existence and shudder (James 2:19). They understand prophecy and can quote Scripture (Mt 4). They have accurate orthodoxy but adverse orthopraxy – they don’t apply or practice what they know is true.
- They know their eternal destiny. They ask if Jesus is exacting final judgment: 8:29 “Have you come here to torment us before the time?” Rev 20:10 describes the defeat of Satan being thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, and all the demons will be tormented day and night forever.
Knowing these truths, I want to affirm demons are real and demonization exists. We typically think in 2 categories:[3]
- Demonic oppression with weird impressions, wild nightmares, heavy feeling that leaves you breathless; perhaps even seeing strange and supernatural activity like electricity flickering or items being moved through the air. I’m not kidding. As a pastor for over 25-years, I’ve had intelligent and rational people tell me about their experiences.
- Demonic possession with an unseen evil spirit enters a person’s body and controls their words and actions. There are mass murderers who have claimed hearing voices and demonic possession to rationalize their crimes.
Personally, I don’t believe that a Christian – one with the Holy Spirt and filled with God’s truth, light, and protection – can be demon possessed. But the Bible doesn’t use the wording of “possessing,” but “δαιμονίζομαι = demonized,” which is not nearly all or nothing as possession implies. Demonized suggests a third category of what be described as occupation. - Demonic occupation occurs when one voluntarily or unknowingly invites evil, lies, and sin into their life.
An illustration I’ve used before (names changed) is there are two brothers Jackson & Mahomes. Their dad, Mr. Harbaugh dies and leaves the house to the boys. The brothers can’t agree on who gets the house. But Jackson is smarter than Mahomes and tells his brother he can have the entire house under one condition: Jackson gets to keep 1-nail inside the house. Mahomes thought, no problem – LOSER! Mahomes moves all his belongings into the house and starts throwing parties. But then Jackson joins one of the parties and brings a dead skunk. Everyone gives him the side-eye and jeers. Mahomes attempts to kick Jackson out since he owns the house. However, Jackson says, “Not so fast. I own one nail.” And Jackson hangs the dead skunk on the nail. One by one the party goers leave, and Mahomes surrenders. Jackson gains the house and wins the brotherly conflict.
Moral: We can think life is fine but allow demonic occupation to take root and it will cause a stink and collapse to everything we think is good. BUT here’s the other reality: the nail can’t hold death forever. The owner of the house simply needs to bang that nail so that nothing can hang, and death becomes defeated. Jesus’ nail-scarred hands are proof that demons are thwarted, and Satan has been subverted. Jesus is more powerful than any trial or torment that we can face.
What are the footholds of demonic occupation in your life? One naïve nail we allow in our life is bitterness. Where we allow unforgiveness to stink up our life and steal our joy.
Eph 4:26-27, 31 “do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil… And do not grieve the Holy Spirit… Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you”
You see, even a legion of demons are no rival to the grace of Jesus. Martin Luther’s hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God says
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” – Martin Luther
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe
His craft and power are great and armed with cruel hate
On earth is not his equal
Did we in our own strength confide our striving would be losing
Were not the right Man on our side
The Man of God’s own choosing
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus it is He
From age to age the same, and He must win the battle
And though this world with devils filled, should threaten to undo us
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us
The prince of darkness grim; we tremble not for him
His rage we can endure, for lo his doom is sure
One little word shall fell him
- What’s the “one little word?”
Jesus.
Demons don’t shudder at a generic God but they are jolted by the name of Jesus.
Jesus will attack whatever treasure you have above Him (8:30-34)
While the demons shudder at Jesus, they selfishly take down anyone else they can. The demons are aware of a herd of swine a great distance away. The legion of demons had been tormenting the region for some time. And their only aim is to continue their harassment and hell on God’s special creations. So, they request to be cast into swine – a religiously unclean animal (Lev 11:7; Dt 14:8).
Jesus cast out the swine with a single word: “Go.” The demons enter the pigs, and the whole herd rushes down a steep bank into the sea waters. Honestly, this is a phenomenal event and we can only speculate about the supernatural world. We don’t know if the demons drown to forever perish or passed through an abyss transport.
And while undoubtedly the individuals demonized were liberated, not all celebrated. The pig proprietors were upset for their losses – and we can sympathize with an abundant loss of bacon and bbq, not to mention the financial losses.
The towns people heard the news; and Mark 5:14-15 indicate they saw the previously demonized individual clothed and of competent mind. Yet, the liberated man had now become a mirror to those enslaved with fashionable depravity and sophisticated demons. You see, when God solves problems, it will cost our pigs. We must be willing to let go of what we think is valuable and entrust our treasure to the Savior who resides in heaven.
When God solves problems, it will cost our pigs. We must be willing to let go of what we think is valuable and entrust our treasure to the Savior who resides in heaven.
Last, Mark 5:19 indicates Jesus sending the man back home to tell others of the Lord’s liberating power and merciful compassion.
So, we ask today,
- From what have you been freed?
- Shame of wrongs… still haunting you and demons whisper, “You’re not worthy.” Tell them Jesus paid it all, His grace is sufficient, and the death nails have been pounded in and Jesus is alive with you and never to forsake.
- Stubborn independence to think you don’t need others… when you realize God has sovereignly placed you amid a family of faithful love and foundational truth.
- Seeing yourself for less, and that the world would be better off without you. Untrue. You are made by God’s delight and design.
Whatever God has/is freeing you, share w/ others.
- What choices do you need to make that are hindering you from welcoming Jesus?
- Prosperity in the world vs Peace with Jesus
- Pleasure w/ people vs Fulfillment in God’s purposes
- Presumed control over circumstances vs Accepted reality that our control is artificial but God’s control and compassion can be trusted.
APPLY/THINK
If you’re experiencing darkness or despair, Jesus can deliver hope.
If you’re holding onto mud messes and pig problems, Jesus can pick you up and clean you off.
Jesus will leave if we ask or do not give Him the proper attention He deserves.
[1] Craig Blomberg, Matthew, vol. 22, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 151.
[2] Leon Morris, The Gospel according to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992), 209.
[3] Thoughts on this point from J.D. Greear sermon “The Demonic Is Closer Than You Think,” November 2023.
Growing Godly Generations 