Sunday of the Flood (Wed: 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 unclean pigs and the demons were drowned in the waters. They were killed, which brings shock and awe from those who stand by and watch. But when you know the entire story, is it really that shocking? Jesus finds two men who are in need of his help. They are suffering from demon-possession. Jesus heals them and releaves them from their oppression.

This seems like another healing and another time in Jesus Ministry where he rescues someone and everyone gets mad about it. But likewise people get mad at God when they think of the Flood in Noah's day, or other natural disasters. God sent forth a flood to destroy the wickedness of humanity, and the fallen creation. You can argue God sends natural disasters in judgment against humanity, and our continued desire to sin. But this is not to say those who died then are any greater sinners than we. But the bigs die to remind us of the judgment of God. The world was flooded so that we would recall our need for repentance. 

But which scares the people more, the power too kill a herd of pigs by water, or the power to cast out demons? I think what scares the people is the fact that these two demon-possessed men who have been hanging around these tombs are able to be saved. Often times it is not our sins that scare us most but the power of someone who would be able to forgive, redeem, and cleanse us from our sins.

Quote from Coach Carter:

Timo Cruz: Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.