Skip to main content

You Are Healed (Matthew 8:1-9:34) Part 5

 TWO VIOLENT DEMON-POSSESSED MEN


Matthew 8:28-34: 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. “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
          Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”
          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.  Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.

Infirmity: Demon-possession
Patients: Two men living in the tombs (social outcasts)
Initiation: They violently came to Jesus, Matthew 8:29, “What do you want from us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” Matthew 8:31: “The demons begged Jesus, ‘if you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”
Response: 1) “Go!” Jesus drove them out. They went into the pigs and killed them. 2) The people looking after the pigs ran away and the whole town gathered and begged Jesus to leave.
Directive: Go!

This healing is neat too. Notice that no one initiates this who wants these men healed. The demon-possessed men violently come to Jesus and then the demons themselves provoke the encounter. Matthew 8:29, “What do you want from us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” Matthew 8:31: “The demons begged Jesus, ‘if you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” Then once everyone finds out what Jesus has done –driving out the demons who kill the pigs - they beg him to go away. Whereas we have some coming to Jesus – like the Centurion and the leper - showing the proper respect and asking for mercy and some that it most appears as if Jesus just happened upon them – like Peter’s mother-in-law – here he we have demons hostile to and afraid of Jesus who are provoking Him to an action that no one seems to want and yet Jesus still heals these men - even though it doesn’t appear to wanted or even appreciated.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Beware: Christian Junk Food

THIS IS AN INTERESTING ARTICLE WE STUMBLED ACROSS BY ANNE GRAHAM LOTZ Why the average believer is starving for something more. By Anne Graham Lotz I love junk food—McDonald's french fries, Auntie Anne's pretzels, and almost any kind of pizza! If I'm not careful, though, I will gain unwanted pounds while getting zero nutrition. Many Christians seem to eat spiritually the way I am tempted to eat physically. They fill up on "junk food"—Christian books, CDs, TV programs, seminars, and all sorts of church activities—none of these are bad, really, but they lead to a sickly spiritual state if consumed apart from the true Bread of Life. We need the real nutritional "food" that will be served one day at the Wedding Supper referred to in Revelation 19:9, food that we can partake of right now as we dig into God's Living Word. For the past 17 years, as I have crisscrossed America, speaking at various conferences and churches, I have become convinced of ...
Post a Comment
Read more

2 Timothy 1:12: Learn to Suffer

2 Timothy 1:12: That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. Today’s thought on 2 Timothy 1:12 is entitled ‘Learn to Suffer’. ‘Learn to Suffer’ is motto of a Scottish Clan. Anyone know which clan? Clan Duncan. The Clan motto is ‘Learn to Suffer.’ Did you know that 2 of the early kings of Scotland were Duncans: One was Duncan I and do you know who was the other? Duncan II. Duncan I obtained the throne through murder and Duncan II lost it the same way. The Duncans would learn to suffer. The Duncans historically weren’t so good at choosing the winning side in important battles. They supported the victorious Robert the Bruce in his wars and received benefits from that. But later they supported Charles I, who was defeated, murdered and his country conquered by Cromwell’s Puritans. In supporting the losing side in this war, the Duncans would learn to suff...
Post a Comment
Read more

Thoughts on a Trip to Ontario Part 5: Conclusion: Be Prepared (2 Timothy 4:2)

2 Timothy 4:2: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.   We went to Ontario couple of days before the Celebration of Life. We spent our first two nights in a community called Woodstock because it was within driving distance of Stratford. You know what Stratford is famous for? It’s Shakespeare Festival! That is quite interesting. Do you know the history of the festival? Stratford Ontario, as we know, is named after Stratford, UK. And Stratford UK has a strong connection with William Shakespeare. So the Tom Patterson a few years after returning from World War II started the festival to help revive his home town. It is really worked and the town and the festival are still going and bigger than ever.   Now, we were one week early to actually catch the festival itself but we did get to see one play: Romeo and Juliet . This was especially good because Sarah-Grace was with us and sh...
Post a Comment
Read more