The Two Gergesene Demoniacs Meet Jesus

    "And when he was come to the other side, into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. And, behold, they cried out, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time?" How opportune is this meeting! Is this a lucky chance? Is it a wisely ordered Providence? What brought the demoniacs to meet Jesus? Was it intention in the men? They were mad; and though they had been as wise as Solomon, they knew nothing of the coming of Jesus. Was it the act of the demons with whom they were possessed? What power constrained them to meet their great enemy? Wicked men, in ignorance, do what the Lord appoints, and act freely. The demons, with their knowledge, do what they dislike. They obey and recognise Jesus. They seem to act freely, yet they do what must be against their desires and their interests. Who can understand the grounds of God's government of the angels that fell? They do his work, while they are his greatest enemies.

    Many a child of God will here recognise his own picture. How many of the slaves of Satan, maddened with rage against the Son of God, by meeting him in his word are brought to soundness of understanding! By chance they hear the gospel, and, though they may have gone to mock, their eyes are opened, and they are found sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed with his righteousness, and in their right mind. Happy meeting!