Matt. 8:29

"And suddenly they cried out, saying, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?" Matt. 8:29

Some questions come out of curiosity. Little Catherine is looking at a bug. "Mommy, why do bugs have wings? Why is the worm fuzzy? Why did God create mosquitoes?" I have to admit, that last one has bugged me, too.

Other questions come out of rebellion. Your teenager daughter wants to go to a party. You know that the family hosting the affair is morally suspect, so you say "No." "But, Daddy," she squeals in protest, "everyone of my friends are going. Why can't I?" At this point there is no reasoning in the world that will resolve the conflict. "Because I said so," is the only possible answer. Reason will prevail tomorrow, or next week, or next month, or next year, well maybe in a decade or two.

A few well-spoken questions arise out of fear. Today's question fits that bill to a "T." "What business do we have with each other?" The demons are speaking to Jesus. They recognize the traveling preacher for who He is, the Son of God. They may have met before on another battleground. More likely, they had seen his mug shot on the bulletin board on the walls of "Demon Post Office Number 5." The label under the unflattering picture said, "SBI (Satan's Bureau of Investigation): MOST WANTED. GREAT REWARD IF YOU CAN TURN HIM. EQUAL REWARD IF YOU BRING HIM IN DEAD." Oh, yes. These fellows knew Jesus. He was no stranger to them.

And they knew something else too. They knew the times and seasons. "Have You come here to torment us before the time?" It would seem that the enemy forces know that there is a time when they will have to admit defeat. There will come a time when they will face the music, and it will not be a sweet tune they dance to. No, there will come a time of great torment for the evil they have done. But that time was not yet. There was, however, a problem. Jesus had met the demoniac of Gadarene. The possessed man was, shall we say, uncomfortable with his ever-present companions. It appears the tormented individual was in deep need of deliverance, and the Son of God was the one to provide it.

I find it strange that the demons and Jesus "negotiate" for a reasonable solution. Jesus was to set the man free. The demons did not want to be sent to Hell where they would be eternally punished. "Hey, there is a herd of swine on the hillside. If you insist on taking away our home, how about sending us there?" Out they came. In they went. And over the cliff ran the swine. Who said pigs were dumb animals. They knew that they did not want to be possessed by these evil beings!

The demoniac sat at Jesus' feet and praised Him for setting him free. He wanted to stay in the presence of Jesus forever. But that time would be delayed for a while. Jesus had a mission for the new child of God, "Stay with your people and tell them what the Son of God has done for you."

You have probably figured out by now that I am going to ask you a question. "What do you and Jesus have to do with each other?" I'm not implying that you are a demon, or a demon- possessed individual. What I do want you to think about is your relationship with the Savior. Are you truly in love with Him? Are you so filled with desire for Him that you would do anything to please Him? Or, are you lukewarm? Has your heart grown attached to the things of this world? Has pleasure and a life of ease dampened the affection you had for the Master? What DO you and Jesus have to do with each other? Amen and Amen.