[402 words]
In Matthew 8:28-34 Jesus deals with legions of demons. They come running to Him: “And behold, they cried out, saying, “What do we have to do with You, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” (Matthew 8:29). We immediately see that they fully recognized Jesus as God’s Son. They knew His power to send them into torment. They also knew that a time would come when they would be sent into torment. We read in different places that a demon was in a person and did horrible things to the person. In this case many demons were doing terrible things. Such a person was not able to do as he desired, because of the control of the demon. They knew that Jesus had more power than they had, He could send them out, and did for many people. “You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38).
These demons begged Jesus to send them into a herd of swine. It seems they wanted to go any place other than the torments of hell. Think about this; would there be other demons in hell? So why would they not want to be with their own kind? We are not told where they went when the swine drowned in the water. The important part is that after the demons were cast out of the man he was in his right mind. He wanted to follow with Jesus, but Jesus told him what he should do. “And He did not let him, but He said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you” (Mark 5:19).
Going along with Jesus in a physical way is not for us to do; but following Jesus in His work of reaching the lost with His saving Gospel is our task. If you are not living the right way, that is, according to Jesus’ teaching, then you are following another. Are you just following your own thoughts? Will you be able to reach heaven without Jesus? We should all make sure we are not being controlled by the devil.
Wayne Curry
Highland Drive church of Christ
Poplar Bluff, MO