Sunday of the Flood (G)

Matthew 8:28-34
28 And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” 32 And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Mt 8:28-34). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Why would someone stroll through tombs? Jesus is walking through tombs and finds two demon possessed men. Two men who are clearly dead are found among tombs. It is amazing to think of Jesus going to the dead people in order to cast out their demons.

He casts them out into the unclean animals. For Jews there is no greater unclean animal than a Pig. But the interesting connection is that these wicked animals are drowned along with demons. They run down a steep bank into the sea or waters and are killed. These demons suffer the same fate as those of the Flood.

God drowned all the wickedness of the earth in the Flood. He drowns us in our Baptism. He kills our demons. He is the one who casts them out. Jesus cast the demons out of Heaven. Jesus is the one who will also torment the demons when the time comes (apparently). Jesus is the one who will call judgment upon the earth.

You may not think so, but you have demons. You have evil spirits that lead you to do evil things. You also have your sinful nature within that needs to be killed. Jesus dies for the forgiveness of all our sins. Jesus casts out your demons and sweeps your house clean. Jesus then sends his Holy Spirit into your heart in order to dwell in the house.