Matthew 8:28-34 "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. 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? And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. 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. 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. 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."
I realize I have posted several verses this morning. It is sometimes difficult to limit the writing to three or four verses without losing the continuity of the narrative. I will just say this. If you do not get anything else from these devotionals, may God bless you in the reading of His word.
It is easy to read Matthew’s account of Jesus coming to the country of Gergesenes (also referred to as the Gadarenes – Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39) and think that there is a contradiction in the scriptures. Matthew’s telling of this event speaks of two men while Mark and Luke speak only of one. Consider that Mark and Luke’s focus on only one man does not preclude this being the same account. Like the two thieves crucified with Jesus, perhaps one man had a very different reaction to Jesus’s presence than the other, and Mark and Luke focused on that one.
One thing is abundantly clear: the evil spirits (devils) knew who Jesus was. They knew that He had authority over them. He had the power to deliver judgement (torment) upon them. Even granting them their request to enter the herd of swine resulted in their destruction. That there were herds of swine would indicate that this was a largely Gentile population since swine were unclean to the Jews. Even though the majority wanted Jesus to leave, they could not prevent Him from doing what He came to do.
Dear ones, it was no coincidence that Jesus showed up on the shore where these men were possessed with evil spirits, and it is no coincidence that Jesus showed up in our lives when and where He did. No matter how many may stand against Him, no one can prevent Him from working in the hearts of those He chooses to deliver. His judgement is sure and His word always accomplishes what it was sent to do (Isaiah 55:11). The devil is our adversary, but there is One with us that is greater than the devil.