Matthew 8:28-34   Matthew, Mark, and Luke all describe this specific event in the ministry of Jesus.  Only Matthew mentions that there were 2 men who were demon-possessed, living in the tombs, full of violence and stronger than the chains that were used to try to bind them. 

In all three accounts it is the demons that cry out to Jesus first.  "What have we to do with You, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?"  Mark and Luke tell us that there were so many demons in the one man that they called themselves "Legion".   Thousands of demons lived in this man.. and they pleaded with Jesus to not throw them into the abyss.. the bottomless pit. 

The demons pleaded to be sent into the herd of pigs and Jesus allowed them to do so.  The pigs then ran down the hill and into the water and drowned.  What a frightening thing that must have been to those who saw this.. to those who were responsible for those animals.  When they went into the town and reported the incident the whole town came out to see.. so frightened that they begged Jesus to leave. 

Only one man was changed that day.. and oh what a change! From a violent, naked, crazy man who lived in a tomb.. to a clothed, sane, disciple of Jesus.. a man who would go through all the 10 cities of Decapolis telling "what great things Jesus had done for him.. " ( Mark 5:20)

Jesus got back in the boat with His disciples and left. I have always loved this story. Jesus crossed a stormy sea to meet this one.. demon-possessed.. violent.. crazy.. naked.. man.  We don't know what happened to the other demoniac.  Perhaps he too was changed.. but he is never mentioned in the other two accounts.  But, we know that Jesus went to this specific place at a specific time to meet a specific man.. and that is so precious to me... because He does the same for us.. He comes through the storms of our lives.. finds us in quite a mess.. and frees us from whatever binds us.. from sin and death and hell.. and he forever changes our lives.  What a wonderful Savior is Jesus our Lord !

Father, thank You for the salvation that we have through Jesus Christ our Lord.  He sought us and bought us with His blood. He died to take away our sins. He rose again and is our Living Hope. He has prepared a place for us for eternity.  May the Name of Jesus be glorified in us today we pray. Amen.