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Morning Devotion for the Season after Pentecost
July 3, 2024
The Invitatory
The earth is the Lord’s for he made it: O come, let us adore him.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.
Reading: Matthew 8:28-34
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 lake 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.
Meditation: Jo Ann B. Jones
When I was a child, growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, there was a stone tower that sat near Druid Park Reservoir. There was an iron gate in front of the wooden door to the tower. I had no idea what the function of this structure was, but I was convinced that the Devil himself lived there. Whenever we drove past this tower at night, I was terrified that the Devil would come out and snatch me from my parent’s care and hold me prisoner forever … or worse. Beyond that I did not dare explore in my imagination what would become of me, but it wasn’t great. And, it seemed, that there was no Prince Charming on the horizon to rescue me from my fate.
Fast forward a bit to early June of this year. I was in Baltimore and drove by Druid Park Reservoir. The entire Reservoir is undergoing dramatic changes. And my terrifying tower ….. has been demolished. Yet even as an adult and even in its absence, I did experience a very brief moment of dread. Old habits die hard? Haunting has its own lingering power? Or is it a myth?
It is somewhat comforting to know that ancient peoples firmly believed in demons. Those who believed that a demon possessed would behave as if they were so possessed. I imagine it is still possible that those who believe themselves possessed based upon a certain type of pain, or, in fact, if seized by the sense that he or she is ill. Even in the 21st century, superstition may have some sway over more educated and savvy individuals.
I have heard it said on several occasions that the Devil is real. While that might be debatable, it is unquestioned that evil is real. It is a real, destructive, powerful and terrifying force. Its potential is almost unlimited. It undermines so much in the world and in our beings and character. Most importantly it seeks to undermine the reign of God in Jesus Christ. Fortunately, Christ is more than a worthy foe. And Christ is unwavering in his power to meet and overcome evil incarnate in the Devil himself
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That is the very point of this most disturbing passage from Matthew. For one can take full measure of the power of evil in Christ’s response to its presence. He is clear and decisive. Christ must immediately, directly and powerfully remove, expunge and cast out evil, even if it means that as evil flees from the power of Jesus Christ and takes up residence in the herd of pigs, causing them to throw themselves into the water. (When I was a child and first encountered this passage, I felt so very sorry for the pigs. Admittedly, a childish and rather romantic response.) Was this some sort of odd and heartless response of Jesus? Did Jesus do this deliberately? Bear in mind that these men were convinced that they were inhabited by demons. Jesus was well aware that no other means was available to him to convince those who were possessed that Jesus had truly cured them. If so, then, Jesus did not deliberately destroy the herd of pigs. He used their stampede to help those two who had been relieved to believe in their cure.
The true tragedy is that those who herded the pigs told the townspeople what happened. The result: those people pressed Jesus to leave at once. What was important to them was the loss of the pigs, not two men who had been restored to themselves. Moreover, they had no appreciation of what was truly revealed to them - that Jesus Christ had dominion over evil.
Prayer for Quiet Confidence
O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: by the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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