Matthew 8:23-34

The authority of Jesus is unmatched. He demonstrates His authority over biology by three healings. He now demonstrates His authority over the realm of natural and the realm of the spiritual.

Caught in a terrible storm (the word storm is literally “shake” and is the typical word for earthquake) the disciples come to Jesus thinking they are about to die. To their credit, they use the two words most often associated with Jesus, “Lord” and “Save”. Jesus identifies two problems in the disciples; they have little faith and are timid. These are completely linked and one is the expression of the other. We however, are never told what the correct response to the storm would be. 1) Personally rebuke the storm, 2) Pray to the Father directly, 3) Ride the storm out and take what comes, or 4) Wake Jesus but without the drama of “We are perishing”. But no answer that comes out of a lack of faith and timidity would ever be correct. Perhaps, any answer that is based on faith and a bold belief in God would be correct.

As we live as disciples, where we go (within limits) is unimportant. Trust and obedience are. It is good to contemplate the contrast between obedience and timidity. Interrupting Jesus’ sleep and asking for help were not the problem. They did not believe and that caused them to act timidly. That storm was no accident; it was a test and in this case the disciples failed.

As soon as they land, Jesus meets two demon-possessed men. Other accounts mention only the spokesman, but Matthew mentions both men in order that there be two witnesses, which would have been important to the original Jewish audience. Jesus proves His authority over the powers of the spiritual realm by exorcising the demons. The rush of hogs provided a dramatic and visible demonstration of what had happened at the spiritual level. The cost of the hogs would have been about 400,000 dollars. The people come to Jesus and ask Him to leave their area. It is interesting that people are often more comfortable with familiar evil than the changes that are brought about by what is right and holy. For this reason, people prefer “pigs” to the Lord. It is also worth noting that the demons are more orthodox in their theology about who Jesus is than many “Liberal Christians”. At least they acknowledge that Jesus is the “Son of God”.

"Lord, thank you for the promise that You will never leave me nor forsake me.  Help me to live in faith because of that promise. AMEN"