Matthew 8:28-34

²⁸ And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so violent that no one could pass that way.

²⁹ And see, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?”

³⁰ Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at a distance from them.

³¹ And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.”

³² And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and see, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters.

³³ The herdsmen ran away, and when they came into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men.

³⁴ And see, all the city came out to meet Jesus, but after they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.

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stay away!

The peoples’ fear of the demoniacs was quite rational. It was wise to stay away from their violent attacks.

The demons’ fear of Jesus was also rational. They knew that at God’s appointed time –Judgment Day – Jesus will judge all creatures, and that those whose names are not written in the book of life will experience torment for their sins and be finally destroyed in the lake of fire.

But Matthew tells his version of this story to highlight the irrational fear of the city dwellers, who learned of Jesus’ power, and begged him to stay away from them. You cannot escape Jesus. He will either be your deliverer or your judge.

LORD, give us the wisdom to seek you, not to shun you.