When Jesus shows up, everything we thought we knew about life changes.  When Jesus becomes not only our Savior but the Lord, the Master Teacher, the One and Only we trust as our Guide—life is not the same as it was before.  We have a new attitude!

Some of my family members and friends often scoff at the faith I have in Jesus.  Their sarcasm can be hurtful at times, but not surprising.  Lost people trying to do life completely on their own, who think they can handle all that comes their way all by themselves, have an attitude of pride and arrogance that will bring them down eventually.  We all suffer from this sin nature, meaning that self can run the show until self fails and falls.  Until they face extreme hard times that are completely out of their control; most will reject the One who can lead them to what is real—the Way to Truth and Life forever. 

“Only when pigs fly, will I consider accepting Jesus” say lost people.

Well, guess what?!  In our next passage, pigs fly!  I’d say it’s time to reconsider the power of Jesus who loves us relentlessly, like no other human on earth, as He extends all the mercy and grace we need to do life at His best! 

Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life.  Jesus is the answer to all your questions.  Jesus causes the pigs to fly—off a cliff.

Matthew 8, The Message

The Madmen and the Pigs

^28-31 They landed in the country of the Gadarenes and were met by two madmen, victims of demons, coming out of the cemetery. The men had terrorized the region for so long that no one considered it safe to walk down that stretch of road anymore. Seeing Jesus, the madmen screamed out, “What business do you have giving us a hard time? You’re the Son of God! You weren’t supposed to show up here yet!” Off in the distance a herd of pigs was grazing and rooting. The evil spirits begged Jesus, “If you kick us out of these men, let us live in the pigs.”

^32-34 Jesus said, “Go ahead, but get out of here!” Crazed, the pigs stampeded over a cliff into the sea and drowned. Scared to death, the swineherds bolted. They told everyone back in town what had happened to the madmen and the pigs. Those who heard about it were angry about the drowned pigs. A mob formed and demanded that Jesus get out and not come back.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Not everyone will respond to the changes Jesus makes in our lives.  That’s okay, go with Jesus who never fails us.

This dramatic incident is most revealing. It shows what Satan does for people: robs them of sanity and self-control; fills them with fears; robs them of the joys of home and friends; and, if possible, condemns them to an eternity of judgment. It also reveals what society does for those in need: restrains them, isolates them, and threatens them, but is unable to change them. In contrast, see what Jesus Christ can do for a person whose whole life—within and without—is plagued by bondage and battle.

Public Enemy Number One:  Notice that the “demons” knew Jesus well as they were from Satan, God’s angel who was kicked out of heaven because Satan’s pride overtook him.  Satan wanted to be God.  This same arrogant attitude is pressed upon us in our fallen, sin state of mind before humbly coming to Jesus.  Every character trait Satan wants us to possess in order to destroy us, or at least distract us from God is the extreme opposite of God’s character.  (Read Galatians 5 for the difference between Godly character traits and the traits Satan.)

Know God.  Know, accept, and believe His Son, Jesus.  Know the real enemy of our existence in this world.  Choose this day whom you will serve, worship, trust and obey—it’s a matter of life or death.  Don’t wait for pigs to fly!

Lord,

Thank you for bringing my attention and focus to all that is You. Thank you for changing my life by saving my soul.  Thank you for daily cleansing my heart, renewing my mind, refreshing and feeding my soul while restoring the joy of your salvation at work within me. You are Life to me.  I am yours.  Lead me…

In Jesus Name, Amen