Good vs. Evil

The Gospel of Matthew Good vs. Evil - Matthew 8:28-34 May 24, 2026 We'll begin this morning in Matthew 8:28, as we transition back to dry land. But first, as most of you know, I'm a big sports fan. I haven't, however, watched a lot of NBA over the past few years, but I have been watching the playoffs, and so far, the conference finals have been quite good. Basketball is one of those sports where the most effective players are good on both the offensive side, as well as the defensive side. In sports like basketball, volleyball, soccer, and hockey, each player must effectively transition from offense to defense, and from defense back to offence at any notice. That can be quite difficult, and if someone doesn't do this well, then the team suffers. Jesus transitions a bit in our passage this morning, as well. As noted moments ago, not only is He back on dry land we also see a shift in how His power is presented. I read something earlier this week that summarizes this idea very well: Matthew now shifts from Jesus' power over the natural world to His power over the supernatural world, both serving to substantiate the fact that the Man Jesus is fully God. What does this mean? Well, let's read what Matthew says as the boat reaches the shore. We'll read Matthew 8:28-34: 28 AND WHEN HE CAME TO THE OTHER SIDE, TO THE COUNTRY OF THE GADARENES, TWO DEMON-POSSESSED MEN MET HIM, COMING OUT OF THE TOMBS, SO FIERCE THAT NO ONE COULD PASS THAT WAY. 29 AND BEHOLD, THEY CRIED OUT, "WHAT HAVE YOU TO DO WITH US, O SON OF GOD? HAVE YOU COME HERE TO TORMENT US BEFORE THE TIME?" 30 NOW A HERD OF MANY PIGS WAS FEEDING AT SOME DISTANCE FROM THEM. 31 AND THE DEMONS BEGGED HIM, SAYING, "IF YOU CAST US OUT, SEND US AWAY INTO THE HERD OF PIGS." 32 AND HE SAID TO THEM, "GO." SO THEY CAME OUT AND WENT INTO THE PIGS, AND BEHOLD, THE WHOLE HERD RUSHED DOWN THE STEEP BANK INTO THE SEA AND DROWNED IN THE WATERS. 33 THE HERDSMEN FLED, AND GOING INTO THE CITY THEY TOLD EVERYTHING, ESPECIALLY WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO THE DEMON-POSSESSED MEN. 34 AND BEHOLD, ALL THE CITY CAME OUT TO MEET JESUS, AND WHEN THEY SAW HIM, THEY BEGGED HIM TO LEAVE THEIR REGION. As usual, there's a lot here, but there's also some details that Matthew leaves out. So, possibly a new segment for our Matthew series, let's do our ... WEEKLY CHECK-IN WITH MARK AND LUKE: * The parallel accounts are found in Mark 5:1-20 and Luke 8:26-39. * One notable difference is that Mark and Luke both name this demon, self-identified as "Legion." * There are also two "problems" that people like to bring up. o First, the appearance that there are two different regions brought up. * I like how the Christian Standard Bible addresses this so-called problem: Early manuscripts of Matthew describe this event as occurring in the region of the Gadarenes. In contrast, early manuscripts of Mark and Luke describe it as occurring in "the region of the Gerasenes" (Mark 5:1; Luke 8:26). [and, here it is] Gadara and Gerasa were located in the same province. * It's really that simple. * The other "problem" is ... o Matthew says that there are two men, while Mark and Luke say there is only one. * Apologist Norman Giesler addresses this by giving us a math lesson. * Here's what he said: There is a very fundamental mathematical law that reconciles this apparent contradiction-wherever there are two, there is always one. * He later noted that neither Mark nor Luke said there was "only" one, only that there was "one" * Probably the best way to understand and reconcile this is simply that Mark and Luke spoke about the one who was probably more noticeable or prominent. * Lately, maybe worth noting is the length of both Mark and Luke are quite extensive. We'll return to some of these details as we close a bit later. Once again, even though the three accounts are different in presentation, there are no obvious discrepancies to the records that cause a problem with the message. What is that message? Here it is, in the form of our main idea: I can be confident in this evil world because Jesus holds ultimate authority. Let's face it, our world is quite evil, so we can respond in one of two ways, fearfully, or confidently. I choose confidently. But the question is ... HOW TO RESPOND IN CONFIDENCE I think our account this morning will reveal at least four ways to respond in confidence. First ... * Be ready. (vv.28-29) o Why are we to be ready? o Simply stated. Demons are real! * Then. Now. And in the future. o If it wasn't clear enough, demons are evil spirit beings. Here are some examples from this account. * Mark 5:3-5 helps us to see some of these characteristics, particularly the details on how the demons lived among the dead, how they are physically strong and couldn't be restrained, and how they were destructive. * Matthew 8:28 makes note that they were FIERCE, which means that they were violent and dangerous. * When Jesus MET (which all three accounts use this term) them on the shore, it indicates that they confronted Jesus with some hostility and opposition. * Finally, the phrase, WHAT HAVE YOU TO DO WITH US in verse 29, is an old phrase that basically means "mind your business!" * They wanted nothing to do with Jesus. o So, because they are real, we know from the rest of Scripture that we must be ready. How? o Best example comes from Paul in Ephesians 6:10-20, where we are commanded to PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD. * Quickly, here's what Paul says in verse 11: PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD, THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO STAND AGAINST THE SCHEMES OF THE DEVIL. * I want to encourage you to read and meditate on this passage during the week. o What's the first step in putting on the Armor in being ready? * Know Jesus! (vv.30-32) o The application of this word "know" is important. o This is faith. o This is a personal relationship. o This sort of "knowing" has no place for evil. o There are some elements of uncleanness in this account. o Recall, that these men lived among the tombs. o This, of course, represents death. o It's also hard to miss the herd of pigs here. * Mark indicates that there were 2,000 pigs there! o Pigs were considered unclean animals. o The dead were ceremonially unclean. o Often, demons, are called "unclean spirits" o It's very possible there is a correlation here, but we don't know for sure. o What we do know is this. * These demons knew who Jesus was from the start, even calling Him the Son of God. * These demons knew that the Son of God had the authority to judge them, which is why they requested to be spared by being cast into the pigs. * The men who were possessed were unclean, and impure. o While we know from the Bible and from the culture is that the Christian can be tempted and even influenced by demonic activity, but when we have the Spirit of God, we cannot be possessed, which means we can resist. o This is why James said in James 4:7 to RESIST THE DEVIL, AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU. o Know Jesus. o Cling to Him. o There is an age-old battle of good and evil, but we have the Victor on our side. o Next, * Share (vv.33-34, cf. Mark 5:17-20; Luke 8:38-39). o I mentioned earlier that we would get to the other passages * Here, we see some additional information that will be helpful for us as we navigate this topic. * Here's what we read in Mark 5:17-20: 17 AND THEY BEGAN TO BEG JESUS TO DEPART FROM THEIR REGION. 18 AS HE WAS GETTING INTO THE BOAT, THE MAN WHO HAD BEEN POSSESSED WITH DEMONS BEGGED HIM THAT HE MIGHT BE WITH HIM. 19 AND HE DID NOT PERMIT HIM BUT SAID TO HIM, "GO HOME TO YOUR FRIENDS AND TELL THEM HOW MUCH THE LORD HAS DONE FOR YOU, AND HOW HE HAS HAD MERCY ON YOU." 20 AND HE WENT AWAY AND BEGAN TO PROCLAIM IN THE DECAPOLIS HOW MUCH JESUS HAD DONE FOR HIM, AND EVERYONE MARVELED. * Luke 8:38-39 says: 38 THE MAN FROM WHOM THE DEMONS HAD GONE BEGGED THAT HE MIGHT BE WITH HIM, BUT JESUS SENT HIM AWAY, SAYING, 39 "RETURN TO YOUR HOME, AND DECLARE HOW MUCH GOD HAS DONE FOR YOU." AND HE WENT AWAY, PROCLAIMING THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE CITY HOW MUCH JESUS HAD DONE FOR HIM. * First, we see Jesus' clear victory over evil. * So much in fact, that Luke says that he was normal again, and that he wanted to become His disciple. * There were also herdsmen present, who witnessed the whole event, who went of and told the city what they saw. * Mark and Luke record that the man who was possessed wanted to follow Jesus, but, curiously, Jesus refuses to let him follow Him. o Now, there does not seem to be an indication that Jesus would not allow him to be His disciple, but rather Luke's account indicates that his current role was to be a witness for Jesus. * Are you sharing your story? * Are you sharing your faith? * Are you sharing your Savior? o Next, * Rejoice! o Earlier, in our main idea I said: I can be confident in this evil world because Jesus holds ultimate authority. o This is why we can rejoice. o This is why we should rejoice. o We are to celebrate the Son who hold that ultimate authority over evil. The Only One who is Good and the Only One who declares one as good before the Father. o I saw this quote earlier this week that I thought is a good reminder for us: The story is not ultimately about how powerful evil is - it is about how much greater Jesus is. o When I first read these accounts early in the week, I can recall commenting that this is a "creepy" account. o I can hear this demon calling himself "Legion" o They were dangerous and violent, which is probably why they were bound. o The scary reality is that evil spirits - demons - exist. o The beautiful reality is that Jesus has the ultimate authority. o Everyone must decide how they will respond to the authority of Jesus. When Jesus is fighting the battle, we can have confidence. So, do not fear. Follow Jesus. Let's pray. 2