Finding Comfort Among the Pigs
You know the story in Matthew 8:28-34, though you may not remember the reference. In fact, you may be thinking you thought this was in Mark; don’t worry, your memory didn’t fail you. Normally this Matthew passage stands in the shadow of the fame of the Mark version (Mk 5:1-21). Today, though, I’d like us to stay with Matthew for a moment and consider the story from a different author and perspective.
When we think of this story, we might recall “I am Legion, for we are many!” or even those cute little piggies, which drowned and cost the herdsmen a fortune. These, however, are not the center of the story, though they get the most press.
This passage is worthwhile for us in our present context for that reason. There are multiple reactions in this passage which should strike us, and hopefully take our eyes away from the demons and the pigs.
Recall first that Jesus is in the country of the Gadarenes, after having just done a few miracles and calming a storm. When he lands, he steps off the boat and finds two men coming at him. These men, we learn, are in severe distress. They exhibit characteristics which would present quite a danger to the people and livelihood of the region. These men are inhabitants of the same countryside, and are someone’s brother, cousin, son, husband, or even father. They are neighbors, friends, and colleagues. Yet, it is clear from the description of their strength, that people are afraid to go near them.
The Demons’ Reaction
Upon seeing Jesus, these men, driven by the spirits within them, meet Jesus and cry out an accusation: “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”
Consider this reaction for more than a moment. The demons have driven men away from their families and homes, an incredibly destructive social, emotional, and economic thing to do to these men. To add to this, these men live and dwell among tombs, a constant haunting of these men and their fear of inevitable death. They have even used the bodies of these men to terrify the people of the surrounding towns.
Yet these demons have the audacity to accuse Jesus of tormenting them? What absurdity! What utter and foolish hypocrisy! How can these demons even speak of an unjust action of Jesus, the very Son of God who has come to suffer the injustice of the world himself on behalf of his people, when they themselves are pouring out injustice toward these men and the townspeople nearby?
This reaction can and should leave us speechless. But not for the reasons above. Upon reading these words, I find myself mortified. Have I not uttered a similar accusation? How often in my life have I been tempted, and given in to such temptation, to cry out “That’s not fair!”
What about you?
Are you tempted to cry out to the Lord that he is not being fair? Are you tempted to compare yourself to others, and consider the Lord’s blessing upon someone else unfair because he didn’t bless you in the same manner? Perhaps he took away something you loved dearly, even if for a brief few weeks.
Dear friends, we should take note of this reaction, and respond to it very carefully. It is no small thing to accuse God, but how might it feel to learn we repeat the words of demons?
Jesus’ Reaction
How might our heart soften, when we realize Jesus’ reaction to all of this? He gets off the boat and is sought out by the demons; can you imagine two strong and burly men who have terrified the people around them charging you? They then accused him of being unfair, chided him for not checking his watch, and begged him for the mercy they didn’t show the men: “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.”
Did you notice that Jesus hasn’t even spoken yet?
They didn’t even let Jesus respond. He gets no rebuttal, he gets to chance to respond to their reaction. Instead, he grants what should have been their request. He utters one simple word: “Go.”
Now, remember from the Mark version of the story, there is a “Legion” of demons in these men. This is no singular demon, nor even a duo possessing one man each. They “are many.” And Jesus’ reaction? “Go.” Go? That’s it?
Of course it is. Jesus could have stood there and defended himself, he could have made a show about how incredible and amazing he is, or he could have tormented the demons! Instead, he utters a single word and the demons obey his voice. No incantations, no holy water, no pomp and circumstance. Just “Go.”
How powerful is this Jesus! Who can heal illness, calm storms, and command demons? Only the Son of God, who terrifies the terrifying! Praise to this Jesus, who heals and calms, who chases our enemies into the wild, and offers new life!
What’s Jesus’ reaction to accusation? He humbly and authoritatively casts aside the demons, to get to what matters: the two men. His focus is not on the demons, for he knows a time is coming in which his very presence will demand from all creatures (even demons!) bent knees and confessing tongues. Jesus has bigger fish to fry presently: the two men.
The Town’s Reaction
Sadly, Jesus is the only one concerned with the men. You see, Jesus’ command was indeed to go, but specifically to go into a herd of pigs nearby. The herdsmen flee to the city, and the city comes out, sees what happened, and beg Jesus to get out of there. Did you catch that? The town, like the demons, begged Jesus to leave them alone.
Remember, you have two men, plagued for an indeterminate amount of time by a host of many demons, such that they have to live in isolation. These men are powerless to their own situation, and are reminded by the demons constantly that they’re alone, no one loves them, no one can help them, and they’re surrounded by death. This reality faced them every single day.
The town’s reaction? The same as the demons.
Do you see their values on display? They considered the economic safety and comfort of the pigs something worth more than the human lives on the other side of town. Add to that, now that the men are whole and the pigs are gone, they reject the one who gave back their brother, their cousin, their son, their husband, their father. These demons terrified us, but we had a comfortable arrangement. They could have the two men, so long as we could be comfortable.
Have we been tempted, in this pandemic, to value our economic safety or comfort over the lives of others, friends? When we are tempted to think this, let us remember the distinct reaction of Jesus. The opinions of the demons, the herdsmen, and the town were nothing by comparison to the value of human life.
When we think of this story, then, may I suggest you forget the pigs? Indeed, even the demons, and their false and wicked accusations. Look upon the work and miracle Jesus is doing. And consider these men, who begged to follow Jesus when it was all over, were told to go back into town and preach the Gospel of true comfort (Mk 5:18-19). Dear friends, in these moments of inconvenience and discomfort, remember that Christ has provided something far greater that comfort among the pigs. He has given the comfort of knowing, loving, and being loved by God himself by healing us and others. Focus upon Jesus, accept his values, and rest in his comfort today.