A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

NOT ALL BELIEVED      

Matthew 8:28-34 “When He arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met Him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” He said to them, “Go!” So, they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town, and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they pleaded with Him to leave their region.” 

The setting for today’s devotional verses is important. There are demons and demon possessed men living in tombs (places of burial). And, there is a large herd of pigs. With all of these being “unclean” in the Jewish culture, it is apparent Jesus is among Gentiles, not Jews.   

Professor Jeffrey Gibbs comments, “Matthew contrasts the horrible power and filth of demon possession with the overwhelming authority that the Son of God has to cast out all such demons and to set free those in bondage to Satan.”   

This incident again displays Jesus total authority. In this case, it is His authority over demons. The demons are aware who Jesus is because they address Him as “the Son of Man.” They were, in the use of this title, acknowledging that Jesus had come to the earth as the Messiah, the one promised by God to set sinners free from their sins.  However, they wanted nothing to do with Jesus. They begged Him to “ . . . send them into the herd of pigs.” What they failed to see was Jesus was at that very moment exercising His authority in behalf of the men who these demons had possessed and in whom they were living. Jesus was doing exactly what He had come into the world to do. He freed these two men from Satan’s bondage. He was vanquishing the evil one. 

Those who witnessed this event did not come to faith in Jesus. Instead, they begged Him to leave. They are an example of what Jesus said in Matthew 7:14, “small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” This incident is a strong message that reiterates Jesus’ words in Luke 11:28, “Blessed . . . are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” 

Prayer: Thank You Lord for the gift of faith in Jesus You have given me. Amen. 

Blessed Jesus, at Your Word   
We are gathered all to hear You.  
Let our hearts and souls be stirred   
Now to seek and love and fear You.  
By Your teachings, sweet and holy,   
Drawn from earth to love You solely. 

All our knowledge, sense, and sight  
Lie in deepest darkness shrouded  
Till Your Spirit breaks our night  
With the beams of truth unclouded.  
You alone to God can win us;   
You must work all good within us. 

Gracious Savior, good and kind,  
Light of Light, from God proceeding,  
Open now our heart and mind;  
Help us by Your Spirit’s pleading  
Hear the cry Your Church now raises;  
Hear and bless our prayers and praises. 

Father, Son, and Spirit, Lord,  
Praise to You and adoration!  
Grant that we may trust Your Word,  
Confident of our salvation,  
While we here below must wander,   
Till we sing Your praises yonder.  

Blessed Jesus, at Your Word // LSB 904