December 15th - Reflection

Matthew 8:14-17, 28-34 (NRSV)
Jesus heals

When Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother in law lying in bed with a fever; he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve him. That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, "He took our infirmities and bore our diseases." ...

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. Suddenly they shouted, "What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. The demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine." 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. The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs. Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.

Reflection
Since swine were involved, I presume that Jesus was dealing with Gentiles. Gentiles like you and me. Two people suffering from the torment of demons. Demons taking over their lives and controlling them. We all deal with demons of some sort. We all are tempted to sin in one or many of various ways. Demons that swoop in and take over our lives. Demons of a fallen world where there is sickness, death, evil, selfishness, and errant power. It's easy to exclude yourself from this passage, but when you think about it, we all battle demons.

Jesus comes to us. As Jesus came to these two people, Jesus comes to us. This Advent season, we see Jesus coming in so many ways. We prepare for Jesus coming through the words of John the Baptist and repent and are baptized. We prepare for Jesus coming reflecting on the pregnancies of Elizabeth and Mary. We know that Jesus is coming to us in a personal way in the midst of our troubles through the messages of angels to Mary and Joseph. Jesus comes to us while we are in the filth of our sin and our own dirty little world. Jesus comes to us and confronts the demons we deal with daily.

And in Jesus coming to us intimately, he demonstrates the power of God to cast sin into the raging chaos of the sea. Jesus, through his ministry, suffering, death and resurrection, comes to us and defeats the demons of sin in our stead. Jesus comes to us away from the crowds and deals with you and me personally and intimately. Jesus is your Savior! Jesus comes! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Jesus, I can't save myself. These demons are taking over. Come, Lord Jesus, come! Come and cast out these demons. Give me the life you want me to live. I believe in you and place all of my trust and hope in your action. I am yours. Will you be my Savior? --- Amen