What Kind Of A Man Is This? -- When Pigs Swim! -- 10/24/2021
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This morning we continue with our series: What kind of Man is This?
Last week we asked the question, “What kind of a man speaks to the wind and waves, and they obey Him?” This morning we consider the question, “What kind of man speaks to demons, and they obey Him?”
Last Sunday, we left the disciples in the middle of the Sea of Galilee mulling over the question, “What kind of man is this?”
After calming the storm, Jesus arrives on the other side of the lake in the region of the Gadarenes. This is Gentile territory. Immediately, two demon-possessed men, come from the tombs to meet Jesus.
God’s Grace for a Fast-Paced, Pressured Life
God’s Grace for a Fast-Paced, Pressured Life
Before, I get into the main point of our passage, let’s look at the pacing of Jesus’ life. Immediately, following the Sermon on the Mount, which certainly exhausted Jesus, the leper comes for healing. On his way, to his home in Capernaum, the centurion arrives with his problem. When he arrives at Peter’s home, probably hoping for some rest and a home-cooked meal, Peter’s mother-in-law is ill, and Jesus healed her. Before Jesus can even catch a nap, many who were demon-possessed and sick were brought to Jesus and he healed them.
What kind of a man can sleep in a violent storm on a rocking boat with water washing over him? Part of the answer must be an exhausted man. Now, Jesus gets to the other side and two violent, belligerent, demon-possessed persons show up, the town folks reject Him and when Jesus crosses back over to Capernaum, immediately a paralyzed man will be brought to Jesus for healing.
Matthew describes the pace of Jesus’ life as one in which Jesus just can’t seem to get a break. For the humanly exhausted Jesus, there is the next crisis to confront or the next need to be met.
Have you been there? Have you done that? Have you felt that? Have you been in the place where your whole body and soul cry out for relief and there is no relief? There is only the next crisis, the next need that requires you to rise to the occasion. Of course, you have been there, we all have. Here we can see that Jesus faced that kind of pacing too. We can take great comfort in the grace we observe in our Lord’s rapid-paced life.
Jesus does not complain. Jesus does not reject what God brings his way in the moment. Jesus recognizes that His life is not unfolding by chance, but by the will of the Father. What is before Jesus in the moment, is what the Father intends for Jesus to deal with, and we see there is grace and power available to Jesus to do what needs to be done.
The same is true for us, our lives are not unfolding by chance but by the gracious guiding hand of our loving Heavenly Father. That which our Father brings to us in each moment, no matter what it looks like or feels like and no matter our condition in the moment, is what God wants to use in our life to secure our well-being, the well-being of others, and to show His glory through our lives to the world. In fact, these are the storms of our life that Jesus promises to calm if we will believe in Him to do what He says He can do for us. We can trust Our Father that there will be grace and power to do what needs doing.
Now, back to the scene before us. The Father brings Jesus to the other side of the lake. Matthew doesn’t tell us that Jesus left the boat only that Jesus reaches the other side, when two demon-possessed men, come out from the tombs to meet him. These are violent men. They have done such harm to others that no one can pass that way – they control the area with their violence. Notice that violence and death are what characterize these men possessed by Satan’s demons. Perhaps, their intent is to stop this stranger before he even gets out of the boat! They are prepared to wound or kill to protect their evil domain.
One clear way to see demonic, Satanic work in our world today is to observe the persons or groups of persons who use violence and death to strike fear into the hearts of the innocent. Satan and his hordes use violence, death, and fear to secure and enlarge their kingdom of darkness.
Matthew, Mark, and Luke each tell this story but there are some differences among them. The first difference is that in Mark and Luke there is only one demon possessed man. One commentator suggests that the two could have been husband and wife.[1] In the Greek, it literally reads “two demon-possessed” the word “men” is implied by the masculine form of the verb, but the word “men” is not present. In this case, there was one man, because the other was a woman. Most scholars explain this as Mark and Luke focusing on the spokesperson of the two.[2]
In this scene, we have Jesus, the two-demon possessed men, the pig tenders, and the population of the whole town. Noticeably absent is any mention of Jesus’ disciples who, at this command, got in the boat with Jesus through the storm to the other side of the lake.
What kind of man is this?
What kind of man is this?
Matthew want’s the disciples’ question, “What kind of man is this?” to be the context in which the story takes place. The disciples are present in their question, looking on, seeking the answer to it. Immediately, they hear the answer to their question in the question of the demons “What do you want with us, Son of God?” What kind of man is this? This man is the Son of God!
The demons knew who Jesus was long before Peter and the other disciples would make the same confession.[3]The demons also believed that Jesus had the authority and power to do what He said he would do. This is evident in their question, “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” Note that the demons know there is an appointed time for their judgment and punishment. From this we can take heart because we know that,
Evil has an expiration date:
“And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10, NIV)
For all the sin and evil that Satan and his demonic hordes have sown in this world and in our lives – they have a payday coming, they know it, and they are terrified of it. This can be of great comfort to us for our Lord Jesus has overcome the world and all the evil within it.[4]
Another difference among the Gospel writers is that Mark and Luke tell us that Jesus asks the demon its name and the demon replies, “Legion”. A roman legion was 6000 men.[5] Can you imagine the horror within which these persons lived, being enslaved to 6000 demons?
Legion begs Jesus to not leave them without bodies to live in but to send them into a herd of pigs. In the Law God told the Jews,
“And the pig, though it has a divided hoof, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.” (Leviticus 11:7–8, NIV)
Archaeological evidence supports that the Jews were faithful in observing God’s instruction to have nothing to do with pigs because they were unclean animals. One metaphorical reason for this rule is that pigs have no discretion; they love to wallow in filth and even eat that which is filthy. The Jewish philosopher Philo metaphorically explained God’s rule forbidding association with pigs by saying people who live a confused and disorderly life are devoted to the worst of human habits and live like pigs.[6] To this day, in the nation of Israel, it is against the law to raise pigs except in special areas for research or where they will be consumed by Gentiles.[7] The evil unclean Legion chose a suitable host the unclean, undisciplined swine.
Jesus’ Presence Restrains Evil
Jesus’ Presence Restrains Evil
Notice that while pleading with Jesus, Legion is completely constrained in the presence of Jesus. These demons can do nothing without their permission. John Chrysostom (Chris-os-tom) in a sermon on this passage points to the fact that the condition of the demon-possessed men would have been worse had it not been for the constraining power of God. Listen to Chrysostom’s words,
[The demons] that spared not the swine, but in one moment of time cast them all down the precipice, much more would they have done so to the men whom they possessed, leading them towards the desert, and carrying them away, unless even in their very tyranny the guardian care of God had abounded, to curb and check the excess of their violence.[8]
This restraining of sin and evil is a part of God’s providential care for the earth and humankind and plays a role in God bringing all things to completion for his glory.[9] The Easton Bible Dictionary puts it this way,
As regards the sinful actions of men, they are represented as occurring by God’s permission. God does not cause or approve of sin, but . . . limits, restrains, overrules it for good.[10]
The restraining power of God over evil can be a great comfort to us. No matter how mad the world may appear to us, God will never abandon his creation to the dominion of evil. Rather, our Father orchestrates all things to work together for the well-being of those who love Him and for the praise of His glory.
Evil Bows Its Knee to Jesus
Evil Bows Its Knee to Jesus
The demons plead to enter the swine. Jesus, in perfect control of the situation, utters one word. “Go!”
Just as the wind and waves obeyed Jesus, so too, the demonic horde obeyed his command. Mark recorded that there were about 2000 pigs. Immediately, the pigs ran down a steep cliff and into the Sea of Galilee where they drowned, even though pigs can swim.
I agree with the commentators that see in this episode a picture of the destructive intent of Satan and his hordes.[11] [12]Whatever Satanic forces possess, whether human or animal, the end is destruction. We cannot play around with sin. Sin when it takes root in our lives will destroy us. That is Satan’s endgame, my destruction, your destruction, the destruction of our church, the destruction of our communities, the destruction of our nation and if possible, the entire world.
The Apostle Peter wrote
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, NIV)
The word translated “devour” here has the sense of “to destroy.”[13]
When Pigs Can’t Swim!
When Pigs Can’t Swim!
We think we can swim our way out of sin, but we cannot. Sin will drown us. We must be delivered from our sin. Jesus delivered these demon-possessed persons from the sin and evil that was destroying them and causing them to bring harm and destruction to others. Jesus has delivered and is delivering all of us who believe in him from the sin and evil that was destroying us and causing us to bring harm and destruction to others.
In addition to showing the true nature of the evil that possessed these men, allowing the demons to enter the swine provided a visible witness that at the command of Jesus, the demons fled from the men and entered the swine.
Having witnessed the destruction, those tending the pigs ran into town to give their report of the event. The whole town came out to meet Jesus. Luke tells us that when they arrived instead of violence and insanity, they found calm, order, soundness of mind – and this frightened them.
God, in his Son Jesus, came to these gentiles. By the power of His Word, Jesus defeated the forces of evil who brought these people violent harm. The Son of God was present to continue to bring a radical transformation among this population, but the people could not, would not receive the presence of God among them. Rather than celebrating the healing, peace, and freedom that Jesus worked among them, they aligned themselves with demons.
The demons pleaded with Jesus to leave them alone. Likewise, the town’s people pleaded with Jesus to leave them alone. In doing so, they proved themselves to be unclean like the swine, without discretion, undisciplined, and unable to recognize the goodness of God himself standing among them. Rather than embracing the good and positive transformation visible and available to them, they preferred to return to the status quo. Only the status quo will be worse than before. Michael Wilkins points out,
The darkness of the scene implies that the legion of demons go from the drowned swine looking for others to inhabit, an ominous thought for these people who have rejected Jesus.[14]
In rejecting Jesus, these people open themselves up to untold evil that will only work toward their destruction.
Tell How Much God Has Done for You!
Tell How Much God Has Done for You!
Yet, despite their self-destructive rejection, Jesus did not leave them without hope, without a witness. Luke tells us that the man delivered from the legion of demons begged to go with Jesus, but Jesus told him,
““Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.” (Luke 8:39, NIV)
When our neighbors and social structures of our nation reject Jesus, they open themselves up to Satan whose aim is to destroy them. Like the Gentiles on the other side of the lake, our neighbors and our society need Good News! They need to know that there is one who has conquered all the powers of Satan, sin and death. They need to hear that
“[In Jesus, the Father forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned [us]; he has taken it away nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, [Jesus] made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.[15]
For in [Jesus] all the fullness of [God] lives in bodily form, and [all those who believe in Jesus] have been brought to fullness. [Jesus] is head over every power and authority. Your whole self [once] ruled by [your sinful desires] can be put off . . .. You are dead in your sins, but God will make you alive in Christ.[16]
When we, as those delivered from the power of Satan, sin, and death, simply tell our neighbors how much Jesus has done for us, some will come to hear, understand, and believe this Good News. What kind of Man is this? This man is Jesus the Son of God, to whom all the powers of Satan, sin, and death must bend their knee.
[1]Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 1652). Peabody: Hendrickson.
[2]Wilkins, M. J. (2004). Matthew (p. 353). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.
[3]See Matthew 14:33 and 16:16
[4]John 16:33; 1 John 5:4
[5]Wilkins, M. J. (2004). Matthew (p. 353). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.
[6]McKinny, C. (2016). Pig Husbandry in Israel during the New Testament. In B. J. Beitzel & K. A. Lyle (Eds.), Lexham Geographic Commentary on the Gospels(p. 185). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[7]McKinny, C. (2016). Pig Husbandry in Israel during the New Testament. In B. J. Beitzel & K. A. Lyle (Eds.), Lexham Geographic Commentary on the Gospels(p. 188). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[8] John Chrysostom. (1888). Homilies of St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople on the Gospel according to St. Matthew. In P. Schaff (Ed.), G. Prevost & M. B. Riddle (Trans.), Saint Chrysostom: Homilies on the Gospel of Saint Matthew (Vol. 10, p. 192). New York: Christian Literature Company.
[9]Myers, A. C. (1987). In The Eerdmans Bible dictionary (p. 857). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
[10] Easton, M. G. (1893). In Illustrated Bible Dictionary and Treasury of Biblical History, Biography, Geography, Doctrine, and Literature (pp. 564–565). New York: Harper & Brothers.
[11]Wilkins, M. J. (2004). Matthew (p. 354). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.
[12]John Chrysostom. (1888). Homilies of St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople on the Gospel according to St. Matthew. In P. Schaff (Ed.), G. Prevost & M. B. Riddle (Trans.), Saint Chrysostom: Homilies on the Gospel of Saint Matthew (Vol. 10, p. 192). New York: Christian Literature Company.
[13]Faithlife, LLC. (2021). to destroy ⇔ gulp (Version 9.8 SR-1) [Computer software]. Logos Bible Software Bible Sense Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, LLC. Retrieved from https://ref.ly/logos4/Senses?KeyId=ws.destroy+to+gulp.v.01
[14] Wilkins, M. J. (2004). Matthew(p. 354). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.
[15]Colossians 2:14-15
[16]Adapted from Colossians 2:9-13