28 When he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 Suddenly they shouted, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. 31 The demons begged him, “If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.” 32 And he said to them, “Go!” So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water. 33 The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs. 34 Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.9 1 And after getting into a boat he crossed the sea and came to his own town.
Thanks to all who continued the discussion on the last post and in class. Your insights are helpful and valuable.
As we move from what could be called Chaos at Sea, Jesus and his Disciples land at Gadara where they experience Chaos in the flesh. It's a Gentile area, one of the decapolis cities/towns. This story of two demon possessed men being "healed" has some parallels to the last story.
What are some of the similarities? Differences? What does this story reveal about Jesus?
The beauty of this story for me shows the ultimate power of Jesus over all creation: nature, flesh, and even the spiritual. It shows his authority to control, yet his compassion over this humanity when other powers control it (the sea and now demons). I find it interesting that Jesus doesn't fight against these powers, nor do they fight back, in fact the demons simply sawJesus and asked permission to leave. It may even be said that Chaos and Jesus cannot co-exist in the same place. (Because where faith in Christ is allowed to reign, the chaos seems to take on a new order, even if the waves continue to break!)
Different from the other two similar stories in Mark and Luke, this one concerns not the healed man (men), rather the reaction by the people to Jesus. It is probably their first encounter with him (although not the first with Jewish leaders.) and he threatens their sense of community in several ways: economically (losing a heard of pigs), physically (he sided with the estranged men), theologically (Jew vs. Gentile), and spiritually (touching their superstitious side.). Even though they cannot deny the miracle that took place among them, they would rather not have Jesus or his unusual ways in their community. He was strange to them, not unlike how the world sees the church.
What do you think this story means for the church? What is Matthew wanting to say to his community of faith? and to ours?
I believe simply that this story of chaos is another "out of control" story. Here were two men who had lost control of their lives and they were lost. It may sound familiar to our own lives. We, too, live out of control lives. O we think we have control, or we should have control, but we really don't. When it all shakes down, we really do need a savior who can calm our lives, bring order out of the chaos and usher in a heart of peace all with a single word. Jesus is in the business of entering the chaos with us and for us, to bring about peace, as soon as we seek it, and sometimes even when we can't!
Remember, too, that this is supposed to be a "time away" for Jesus and at the end of this pericope where does he go? Back in the boat to the chaos of the sea and back to the other side to the chaos of the crowds. Where can Jesus be found, calming lives.
How has he calmed yours?
Peace ><>
PC
2 comments:
It's very difficult to think that someone else has control over our life, but, recently, there have been so many things that have popped up that reiterated the fact that we are not in this chaos alone.
If it wasn't for seeking out to Jesus, I never would have been able to make the decision about leaving my current job and that's why I feel so comfortable with the decision we have made. I know that he will calm whatever storm is thrown at me.
thought-provoking, mootable pv. just my thoughts, well anyways gl & be chipper is what i say
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