28 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes,[c] two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”
32 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. 33 Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
Storms Raging Inside
Jesus, you calmed the storms raging outside people and you calmed the storms raging inside. The termoil of the mind and spirit is just as powerful as the termoil of the elements. I pity the people who are ravaged by an internal disquiet in ways that I have. I suppressed my emotions; I didn’t want them. In so doing they sank below the surface. They lodged deeper and built up a whirlwind. I had irrational thoughts that everything was not going to be alright. I feared the smallest things. However, you rescued me. You continue to rescue me.
We worry and we seek to control. We think we are brave and manly because we are not aware of feelings. We are torn by grief over what has been done and said. You are on our side. You walk with us through the doubts, fears, and regrets. You release us from them. In the end, like the man in the story, we sit restored and in our right mind.
Questions
- How many people were demon possessed?
- How were they tormented?
- How does Jesus show his authority?
- What thoughts disquiet your mind?
- How can Jesus still your internal struggle?
Plymothian 