Text: Matthew 8:28-9:1
When he came to the other side to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. Suddenly they shouted, "What have you to do with us, Son of God?" Have you come here to torment us before the time?" Now a loarge herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. The demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine." And he said to them, "Go!" So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water. The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs. Then the whole town coame out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him they begged him to leave their neighborhood. And after getting into a boat he corssed the sea and came to his own town.
Sometimes, we would rather have things the way they are...even when it is as though a situation or relationship appears to be overwhelmed by evil/destructive powers. Jesus liberates the area around Gadara from the frightening rage of these spirits and sends them into the sea...the same sea Jesus was able to calm. Little do the demons know...but the "end"- or to say it another way, "the beginning of the Reign of God" has already started with Jesus' coming...oops - mistake on their part! But back to the towns people - they want things to be just the way there were before Jesus put an end to the demons. Rather than have life - abundantly - it is often the choice among us to have life under burdens and controls and powers that do not let us be free to be whole.
Connections: The call to come and live within the Reign of God with Jesus often means we need to put aside all the things and people in our lives that have not let us follow Jesus - that is live fully as a faithful person who trusts that God will be with us. It would be interesting to see how the people of Gadara lived before and after the swine went into the sea. Then again, how differently do we live now that God has declared - without condition - that God is on our side. What will you let rule your life in place of our God...what will you shed to free you to live the life of Jesus' follower - in peace.
Most Holy God, you pull us out from the many things and actions that can possess us. You remind us of the life into which you call us by encouraging us to step forward and live instead of retreating into our fears. Grant us courage this day. Amen
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