Jesus, Go Away!

Matthew 8:28-34

I write my devotions based on what I read for the day. I am currently reading through the Bible in a year and decided to write based on that reading. Some days are easier than others. Some days I simply do not have time to write. Now that we are in the New Testament, the problem is not what to say, it is picking out one thing to talk about from the 2-4 chapters I read. However, there is usually one thing that stands out above the rest in my mind.

In our text today, that which stood out to me was the people's response to Jesus. As I read this, I wondered what the motive behind their asking Jesus to leave was. Was it disdain, fear, or a feelings of unworthiness?

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And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. 29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? 30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. 31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. 32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters. 33 And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils. 34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.

Matthew 8:28-34

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The story goes like this, Jesus was trying to escape a crowd. He and his disciples get in a boat and cross the Sea of Galilee into Gentile territory. When they get there, they are greeted by two demon possessed men. According to Mark, one of these men was called Legion because there were so many demons in him. Mark also tells us that he could not be restrained because he broke the restraints. These were not men you wanted to be ushers at church to greet people. Especially since they were also running around naked.

Matthew tells us that they called out from a distance. They also called Jesus by name. Just as soon as the boat landed, these fallen angels recognized their creator. Not only that, they also recognized that he was their judge. I find it extremely interesting that these demons who were tormenting these two men begged Jesus for mercy. You may be wondering, "Where does it say that they asked for mercy?" They asked that rather than being tormented, cast into Hell, that they be allowed to go into the pigs. That was a cry for mercy. They know their fate. They will be condemned to Hell and the Lake of Fire in the final judgment. Here, they ask Jesus, the same one who will judge them in the end, to allow them to avoid judgment for just a little longer.

The only word recorded that Jesus spoke is "Go". In that word, he ordered them out, allowed them to enter the swine, and freed the two men of their demon possession. Jesus can accomplish more with a single word than we can in a lifetime of working. The demons left the men and went into the pigs. The pigs went crazy and ran off the side of a cliff into a sea where they all died.

The pig keepers ran into the town an told everyone what had happened. The people of the city ran out to verify their words and found the report to be true. Then, they do this amazing thing, they beg Jesus to leave. Why? The scripture does not tell us but in my mind I can think of three possible reasons. First, they might have been angry. Second, they might have been afraid, or third, they might have felt unworthy.

They could have been angry because their bacon was ruined. These pigs were food and Jesus had just cost them a lot of money. If this is the motive behind their response, these were so lousy people. If this was the case, they put money and animals above the mental and spiritual well-being of two humans. This is common in our world today as well. You can be fined and even put in jail quicker for abusing an animal than you can for abusing a child. This is not how God sees matters. Mankind was made in God's image, he died to redeem mankind, and he does not put the lives of animals above humans. The misguided value of animals above humans is ungodly.

The people could have also been afraid. This man had only stepped foot on the shores of their cost and had disrupted their status quo. They did not like the two men, but them being crazy was a normal part of life. They liked their pigs and this whole herd had been destroyed. What else might happen if this man decided to hang around longer? If they were motivated by fear, then they decided he had to go.

I have always believed their response was one of the two that I just described but today, as I read, I considered a third possibility, did they feel unworthy. These two crazy men had disrupted life and had caused all kinds of problems. Now, this new guy shows up and casts out their demons. The two men are in their right minds and are worshiping this new guy. He obviously has power and is not like them. Perhaps they had the same response that Peter had when Jesus demonstrated his power by filling his nets with fish. Peter fell at Jesus's feet and said, "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord" (Luke 5:8). Perhaps they felt like Peter and felt unworthy to be in this new guys presence.

I do not know what their motives were. It could have been one of these, or it could have been a combination of all three. Either way, they asked Jesus to leave and he did. However, a seed was planted. Jesus would later return to this region and would be welcomed. He would heal many and preach to them. No doubt many were saved during that time. What would be the reason for the change in attitude? Jesus was leaving behind two missionaries who would testify of his life changing power. They would not only tell their story, but the people could see the change. That is what we are called to be as well!

Father, help me to live a life that prepares others to meet you. May they see a change in me and want to know the one who brought that change. Let my life and my words glorify your name so that other receive you as their Savior.