Monday 07 March 2022

Psalm 17:1-8

Background

In today’s text, Jesus and his disciples have entered the predominantly non-Jewish land of the Gadarenes who originated from the tribe of Gad. Here Jesus gets into contact with social outsiders who were in the business of raising pigs.

When Jesus stepped ashore, he encountered two men who were under the control of demons. They were horrible-looking and dangerous. Suddenly they shouted, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" (v. 29)

A large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. The demons begged Jesus that if he intended casting them out, to send them into the herd of swine. So they left and went into the pigs. Suddenly, the herd ran down the steep bank into the lake and perished in the water. The text records that those who were tending the pigs (the swineherds) ran into the town and  reported what had happened. The whole town went to see Jesus and on seeing him, they pleaded with him to leave them alone.

I find this interesting. I wonder what caused the casting out of demons from the two men to stir the fear of the Gadarenes. I am intrigued that the demons immediately recognised Jesus as the son of God. I wonder whether in our world today, we have an understanding of demons and their activities. Jesus’ ministry redrew social boundaries and the Gadarenes were not interested in that ministry. I am struck by how the breaking of God’s kingdom often disrupts established power structures, and how often, those for whom change might be most valuable fear it. 

The demons ask a question which is important today. What has the son of God to do with us? What has the son of God got to do with the Church and our world as we journey through this Lenten journey? 

To Ponder:

• What individual sins do we want to bring before God today?
• Are there any communal sins we want to speak to God about?
• Where do we want to see God's transformation in our lives, in our churches or in the world today?