From Matthew 8:28-34 / Be Careful What You Pray For – Ryle notes that this passage is “deep and mysterious.” And we want to be careful not to build doctrine out of passages that are wholly unique, and are not meant to establish norms in the Church. That said, there are some lessons to be learned as we see the great authority of our Christ and King manifested in His commanding even the demon spirits; which must obey Him as well as the wind and waves He previously rebuked. Nothing is outside His authority.

Whatever the final disposition of these demonic entities, while they know they are already cast down and awaiting an end – it is not yet. They are obviously terrified of their final end, and they recognize Jesus as the One who will mete that judgment out in due time. Sometimes the demons respond more appropriately to Christ than we who are made in the very image of God. (James 2:19)

One wonders if upon hearing their request – and knowing what the result would be – Jesus kind of said to Himself – “OK idiots, if that’s what you want, have it.”

And one wonders how often His grace has interceded on our behalf in NOT giving us our requests when made in equal foolishness and with a lack of understanding the consequences. How gracious He is to us in His refusals. How tragic it would be if He just gave us whatever we asked for. He would be treating us, like He does the demons, rather than as sons and daughters of the Kingdom.

We have this question – why give them their request? If nothing else, then at least as an object lesson for the herders to carry back to the townspeople.

In 33, the herdsmen fled back to the town and told them what happened. And what had happened? The cost of rejecting Jesus was destruction.

The demons didn’t want Him and in pleading to be allowed to have their own way, to be granted their own desires was to be given over to their own destruction.

But did the townspeople learn? No. They plead that He might depart too. And He did so. He gave them over to their own desires too. To their own eternal destruction.

But did the townspeople learn? No. They plead that He might depart too. And He did so. He gave them over to their own desires too. To their own eternal destruction.

He could demonstrate it on the demons who had no hope of salvation. But what a tragedy for these who might have the Savior who stood before them.

Note then how great is this day of grace in which we live. What or who is more despicable and liable to judgment than the very demons of Hell? Yet the day of judgment has not yet come. Even the demons find reprieve from their immediately just due. And if they find Christ so willing to stay His hand in their case, then how much more those made in the image of God, yet still bound in their sins?

There is grace to be had. The hand of The Lord has been withheld by grace. And all who hear may come now, still. But the day will come when such hope is withdrawn. How we need to hear and respond in this extraordinary season of the Gospel. If you are reading this, it is not too late to cry “do NOT leave me alone – SAVE ME!”