551. MAT 8:28-34. THE RESTORED DEMONIACS

Mat_8:28-34. The Restored Demoniacs

"And when he was come to the other side, into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way: and behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?" &c.’97Mat_8:28-34.

It is truly affecting to contemplate the ravages made by sin in our world. What a troop of diseases affect the body! What a host of maladies and griefs distract the mind! The world is truly a valley of tears’97a region of sorrow’97a howling wilderness. Everywhere is presented to us the effects of moral evil. Everywhere confusion, sorrow, and wretchedness prevail. During the days of Christ’s sojourning upon earth, we often meet with a concentration of evils, afflicting the same individual. This is particularly true of those who were possessed of devils. Read the history of anguish and suffering, in the case of the child possessed with a dumb devil. This is also strikingly verified in the cases introduced to us in the text. Christ had just been hushing the raging tempest on the sea of Tiberias, into a calm; but no sooner does he land, than he meets with two unhappy men, who were fearfully possessed with devils. Their condition appeared miserable in the extreme; but happy for them, they excited the compassion of the Saviour, and became the joyous subjects of his restoring power.

I. Observe the description given of their miserable condition.

1. They were under the direct control of evil spirits. "Possessed with devils." Entirely subject to the power of evil agency. And not as some others, under the control of one, but of many "devils." It would appear that one of these men is the same described by the other evangelists, who was possessed by a legion. Mar_5:9.

All unconverted men are influenced and controlled by the spirit of Satan. He dwelleth in the carnal heart, and rules in the children of disobedience. Often too they are influenced by many evil influences,’97as pride, worldliness, sensuality, unbelief, &c., &c. What a debased, wretched condition this is.

2. They were under the influence of violent and terrific phrensy. Madness fired their souls. So it is written,’97they were exceedingly fierce. Not under the rule of reason, but impelled by violent passion. Not regulated by a good understanding, and sound judgment, but by the excited impulses of a disordered nature. Such is the true state of wicked men. In them reason is dethroned, and passion impels them in their varied courses of infatuated transgression.

3. They were dangerous to others. "So that no man might pass by that way," Mar_5:28. How true of those who give themselves to work iniquity. How they imperil the best interests of their friends, and kindred, and shopmates, and companions. How they pollute and injure society. What acts of wrong and violence men perpetrate on their fellowmen. How especially true of the assassin, the duellist’97the ambitious warrior, and the murderer. Observe,

4. They had their abode among the dead. Hence these demoniacs dwelt among the tombs, Mar_5:28. Every sinner is dead while he liveth. He moves and acts in the region of death, and his paths are the broad downward way of death and destruction. The other evangelists add, that no man could tame them. That however bound, they burst their bonds asunder. Men have attempted to renew human nature by legislative enactments’97by education’97by the influence of art, and science, and literature; but all necessarily fail to subdue the power of inward evil, or to cast Satan from the throne of the human heart. Observe,

II. The homage the evil spirits paid to Christ. Hence it is recorded that Christ met these unhappy men, and it is worthy of note, that the spirits which held them in this galling bondage,

1. Recognized the Redeemer. Hence they gave him his true title, "Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God," Mar_5:29. How true the declaration of the apostle, "The devils also believe and tremble." They saw in Christ the long-promised Saviour, the Son of God, who should destroy the works of the devil.

2. They deprecated his interference. Hence they cried, "What have we to do with thee?" This truly indicated their rebellious nature. We have thrown off thy authority. We glory in our disobedience. We delight in iniquity. Besides, it might include the idea, that they had no place in his merciful mediation. No interest in his work of atonement and reconciliation. Not encircled in the provisions of salvation.

3. They dreaded his displeasure. "Art thou come hither to torment us before the time?" Here is a recognition of Christ’s authority,’97his judicial power, &c. Here is a recognition of the law of retribution. Here is a deep-seated alarm as to a certain period of future punishment. They admit a time of torment, but aver that the period has not yet arrived.

4. They seek for admission into the herd of swine. They saw and felt that they could not retain their present dwelling in the miserable demoniacs, so they seek to possess the swine feeding at a distance. Probably they knew that by the destruction of these, the people would become incensed against the Saviour. Jesus, however, gives consent. He suffered them, and they escape from the men, and enter the swine. The sequel is well known. The swine under the fierce influence of these devils, ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters, Mar_5:32. Observe,

III. The conduct of the Gadarenes. On the destruction of the swine, the swineherds fled into the city, and reported all that had taken place, Mar_5:33. They related how that the miserable men were restored; but that the fierce spirits had entered the swine, and effected their utter destruction. On this "the whole city came and met Jesus." Surely to behold him’97to admire’97to adore’97to praise him! No; but to beseech him that he would depart out of their coasts, Mar_5:34. Observe,

1. They preferred their swine to the happiness of their fellow-creatures. Instead of rejoicing in the deliverance of their fellowmen from satanic power and misery, they grieve over the loss of their filthy swine.

2. They preferred their swine to the presence and blessings of Christ. Jesus the healer of human diseases’97the world’s philanthropist’97man’s Saviour, was among them; but their sordid minds prefer the swine, even to the Lord of life and glory. What a true picture of the infatuated influences of sin! How appropriate to men who prefer their iniquities to Christ. The wrathful man his revenge. The arrogant man his pride. The drunken man his cups. The sordid man his wealth. The sensual man his haunts. And each man his selfish ends, and his evil desires. Christ took them at their word, and he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city, chap. ix. i. The restored demoniacs are seen clothed, and in their right mind, sitting at the feet of Jesus. They seek to go with Christ, to be near their deliverer; but are sent to show their friends what great things God had done for them. Learn,

1. The fearful tendency of sin. To enfetter, to infatuate, and to destroy.

2. The gracious power of Jesus. To rescue, and to save.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS