The Devils Believe Also.

THE DEVILS BELIEVE ALSO.

Matthew 8:28-34.

The account of the two men possessed with devils is a dramatic demonstration of the kind of spiritual warfare which is going on for the bodies, minds and souls of mankind.

We notice, first of all, that it was Jesus who initiated this particular confrontation. ‘Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave commandment to depart unto the other side’ (cf. Matthew 8:18). The journey turned out to involve life-threatening hazards to all in the boat, but ‘He rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm’ (cf. Matthew 8:26).

(Matthew 8:28). Jesus stepped ashore in the Gentile territory opposite Galilee. Two people possessed with devils were the first to meet Him. They came “out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass that way.”

(Matthew 8:29). It seems, sometimes, that defeated foes have the loudest voice. As on a previous occasion, the devils recognised Jesus, and sought to deter Him from His purpose (cf. Mark 1:23-24). Even the devils believe, and tremble (cf. James 2:19)!

Incidentally, the religious authorities who were later plotting to kill Jesus also knew what they were doing, and to whom (cf. Luke 20:14; Luke 20:19). Unbelief is not an option: we need to find out who this God is in whom we refuse to believe.

(Matthew 8:30-31). Jesus had previously proved Himself stronger than the devil (cf. Mark 1:25), so now the devil gathered his minions – but even a multitude cannot stand against our Lord. They asked permission to enter the “many swine” feeding on the mountain.

Notice that Satan cannot do anything without the Lord’s permission (cf. Job 1:12; Job 2:6). The devil may be like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (cf. 1 Peter 5:8) - but he is lion on a chain (cf. 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6).

(Matthew 8:32). Jesus gave them permission to enter the swine - no doubt knowing what the outcome would be.

In the Old Testament, swine are listed as unclean animals (cf. Leviticus 11:7; Deuteronomy 14:8). At Jesus’ command and permission, the devils left the man and entered the swine. In an ironic twist within the narrative, the whole herd ran headlong down a steep ravine into the sea, “and perished in the waters.”

(Matthew 8:33). The keepers of the swine “fled,” and “went” into the city and “told everything” – including what had “befallen” the possessed of the devils. The demon-possessed had been healed. There is every reason to believe that the men had been restored, the devils had been cast out, and that their souls had been saved.

(Matthew 8:34) Wonder of wonders, a whole city came out to meet Jesus: but only to use their democratic voice to reject Him! The good citizens asked Jesus to leave their borders, as many a supposedly good person has done since.