Why Did Jesus allow the demons to enter into the herd of Swine

Gospel Thoughts 

13th Week - Wednesday

GOSPEL : Mt 8:28-34

"Why did Jesus allow the demons to enter into herd of Swine" 

1) First of all the demons had occupied the bodies of Human beings

They had made the men extremely violent, so that no one could pass by the tombs.

The demons had also made the humans being to live in the tombs, where only animals live 

2) When Jesus comes to the scene, the demons were terrified

They knew that they will be liable for eternal punishment

The very fact that they recognised Jesus as the "Son of God" they also knew their eternal punishment

The expressions of demons "Have you come here to torment us" and "If you drive us out" show that Jesus had power over demons and demons were terrified at the presence of Jesus

2) Why Jesus allowed the demons  to enter into the herd of pigs? 

First, it resulted in freeing the men from the demons. 

Secondly, pigs were unclean animals under Jewish law, so they were a perfect symbol and a harmless destination for unclean spirits (i.e., demons).

Pigs, of course, were unclean for the Jews (Lev. 11:7–8). 

No Jewish farmer would keep swine, and  Jewish region would tolerate the presence of pigs.

Thirdly 

Jesus’ action also shows the importance of human beings than animals.

Being made in God’s image, we are more important to the Lord than any animal. 

Dr. R.C. Sproul writes in his commentary Mark that the compassion of Jesus “drove Him to destroy the pigs for the sake of one human life. That is how valuable human life is.” For our Creator, one lost person saved is worth the death of many animals.

Along with demons Jesus also destroys the unclean animals and unclean surroundings 

The unclean pigs can be considered in todays context various sinful surroundings or those situations which bring us lots of temptations 

So Jesus destroys the Satan along with its various influences to clean the entire surroundings

So it is very clear why Jesus allowed the demons to get into the herd of pigs 

3) Jesus was not invited to the territory of the Gadarenes. He voluntarily goes there 

Gadarene is the territory of Gentiles. Those who were taking care also were gentiles. So there is a close connection between pigs and gentiles

Jesus not only enters the gentile territory but he also frees the human beings with demons. Thus he also shows that salvation is for all 

4) Demon or the Satan takes away our real original image in which we were created by God 

It makes us to live in the tombs like animals 

We are degraded to the grade of animals by sin or demons 

So be careful about this demons and sins which causes us to suffer terribly

God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones 

Fr Maxim DSouza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore