Son of God

Matthew 8:28-29 - When they came to the other side, two men who were possessed by demons met them. They were so fierce that no one was able to pass through that road. And look! They shouted crying, "What have we to do with you, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?"

Before the time. Torment. Son of God. These demons seem to know more about Jesus than his disciples. They are still wondering who he is.

But now they are confronted by a storm of a different sort - a mental storm. Well, and possibly a physical storm as well. The demons - not the men! - cry out. They are worried that they will be tormented. So, they know about Jesus but they cannot see his heart - the one that does not want to torment others. They immediately think he is like them because they cannot see another way. They cannot see or imagine anyone having compassion because they do not. They know who he is but not what he is. Just like the disciples are wondering what he is.

The disciples have an inkling, but even they are not yet sure. This set up prepares us for the beautiful and somewhat confusing ending of the story. Well, at least from a Jewish person's point of view. The townspeople are not that happy.
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