Matthew 8: Setting Things Right (6)
Pray Psalm 40.1-3.
I waited patiently for the LORD;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the LORD.
Sing Psalm 40.1-3.
Dix: For the Beauty of the Earth
I waited patiently for God; He inclined and heard my cry,
lifted me up above the sod, set me on a Rock on high!
New songs in my mouth He gave; may He through me many save.
Read Matthew 8.1-34; meditate on verses 28-34.
How does Jesus “torment” evil spirits?
Prepare.
1. How did Jesus dispatch these demons? What does that tell us?
2. What’s different about the people’s response to this incident?
Meditate.
Clearly the demons that possessed these men knew Who Jesus was; and they knew they were done for, so they pled for a measure of mercy from the Lord. Jesus allowed their request, but showed that He intended to use it for their destruction. The swine plummeting into the sea prefigures the ultimate casting of Satan and his ilk in the lake of fire, forever to be in torment. It also recalls the rebels under Dathan being swallowed up by the earth in Numbers 16. Note the power of Jesus’ one word: “Go.” As Martin Luther wrote, “One little word shall fell him [the devil].”
As has happened so often before, the people who heard about Jesus came flocking out to Him. But things were different now. The power Jesus displayed, and the dramatic way these men were healed struck fear into the people of that city. They begged Jesus “to depart from their region.” They feared His Presence among them. What else might He expose about them? What further demonstrations of power might He foist upon them? Typical of those who are caught up in sin, the people were thinking only of themselves. There was no expression of joy or wonder or gratitude for the healing of the demoniacs, only fear that something bad might happen to them. Caught up with fear for their own interests and wellbeing, they could not see the wonder of grace that occurred.
How like our world today are these Gergesenes! Jesus, the embodiment of God’s power and Law, struck fear in them—like He does people in every age—so they bid Him depart from them. Sin is a terrible blinding force.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“The foolishness of a man twists his way, and
his heart frets against the LORD” (Prov. 19.3). Typical.
Most people don’t give God a thought, until something bad happens, and then Boom! It’s God’s fault.
They behave as badly and foolishly as they like; but the results are somehow never their doing.
Two men lived in the tombs.
They were exceedingly fierce.
So fierce, in fact, that no one would walk that way.
They were forced to go another way out of fear (Matt. 8.28).
Everyone’s response was outlandish regarding their healing.
The demons, who are inveterately miserable creatures, screamed out at Jesus,
“Why have You come to torment us?”
What? Their present life was roses and kittens?
And the people? They had:
1. Been ridded of a pestilence.
2. Seen two men miraculously healed and freed from torment.
Their response? They begged Jesus to depart from their region.
Makes perfect sense if you are insane. (Or blinded by sin).
They had all fallen into the devil’s ugly trap of blaming God for evil.
That must never be done. Ever. Evil must be blamed for evil!
Clearly, “God is not willing that any should perish
but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3.9).
God must be praised for good!
It is we who have sinned, not God.
“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Ps. 53.1).
Until they need to conveniently blame Him for something.
Let us, as His children, show Him a different side to humanity.
Let us be thrilled when He expunges sin.
Let us be the ones who request Him to stay, to work His will in our lives and in the world.
His will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matt. 6.10).
And let us rejoice with those who have been freed from the power of sin and death—like the two demoniacs—as has been done for us.
Our question being: “Why have you come to save me?”
Our request being: “Never depart from me.”
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust” (Ps. 91.1, 2).
Abide with me: fast falls the eventide; the darkness deepens; Lord with me abide:
when other helpers fail, and comforts flee, help of the helpless, O abide with me.
I need Thy Presence every passing hour; what but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.
(Henry F. Lyle, 1847)
Reflect.
1. How does the Lord know that you are grateful for His delivering you from your misery and sin?
2. Today, to whom will you say, “God is my refuge and my fortress…in Him I will trust”?
3. What powerful Word has Jesus been speaking to you of late?
On seeing Him, the Gerasenes entreated the Lord to depart from their district. Such people are also found among us. Out of faithlessness they compel the Lord and Savior of the world to depart from the district of their hearts, for according to Scripture, the Holy Spirit will not enter a perverse soul or dwell in a body enslaved to sin. Chromatius (fl. 400), Tractate on Matthew 43.7
Pray Psalm 40.4-10.
Meditate on the wonderful works God has done for you. Tell them back to Him with praise and thanksgiving. Offer yourself and your day to do His will, according to all His Word. Today, whom will you encourage in the Good News of our sovereign Lord Jesus Christ?
Sing Psalm 40.4-10.
Psalm 40.4-17 (Dix: For the Beauty of the Earth)
Blessed are all who trust in You, turning both from lies and pride.
Countless wonders, LORD, You do, and Your thoughts with us abide.
LORD, Your worth who can declare? None with You can e’er compare.
Off’rings You do not require—open now my ears, O LORD!
What from me do You desire? Firm delight to do Your Word.
Take my life in ev’ry part; write Your Law upon my heart.
LORD, Your truth will I proclaim to Your people gathered ’round,
nor will I my lips restrain—let Your precious ways resound!
Of Your saving grace and Word I would speak, most loving LORD.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest: This week: The Read Moore podcast continues readings from our book, The Kingdom Turn. Our Crosfigell teaching letter presses ahead in a series on the state of the Church in Europe at the time of the Celtic Revival. The ReVision column looks at David as a visionary leader. Check out our other excellent writers. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
