Deep into gentile country on the far side of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus is confronted by two ‘demoniacs’ lurking among the tombs. You know the story: he casts out the demons, consigns them to a herd of pigs which subsequently hurl themselves into the water and drown. End of story. Well, nearly. 

This rather curious tale is also told by Mark (5:1-20) but in much more detail. I urge you to have a read.  

One key point in the story is that Jesus himself is actually acknowledged by name by the demons: ‘What have you to do with us, Son of God?’ (…Jesus, Son of the Most High God in Mark’s version).  Having long terrorised the locals, the demoniacs have met their match; they themselves are now threatened by a greater presence, one whose identity is revealed – Jesus, Son of God, the one whom the unclean spirits admit transcends the power of evil.

Sadly, the poor old pigs bear the brunt. Dispatching the demons to the pigs who then meet their demise is not only a nod to Matthew’s Jewish audience for whom pigs were anathema, but it provides a message of hope to all Jesus’ followers. Just as Jesus had calmed the storm in the verses immediately preceding this story, he once more banishes fear through his authority. And the power of evil is ultimately dispelled by water – not an accidental baptismal reference, I am sure!

Yes, this is a curious tale, different from many of the gospel narratives we read of Jesus. But if we take the time to be present to it, there is a richness that extends beyond metaphor to a person – he who is named and with whom we, in faith, identify.

By Gerry Crooks