THE SECOND DEMONIAC

 What happened to the second demoniac?!

Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned. When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might I with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

Luke 8:33‭-‬39 ESV

Mark and Luke mention only ONE demoniac.

Matthew mentions TWO?!

And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”

Matthew 8:28‭-‬29 ESV

Where did the second demoniac, mentioned by Matthew, go?!  

Did one fall at the feet of Jesus, and the other just wander off?  

After being blessed, did he not return, unlike the Samaritan leper, but more like the nine?  

Was the second one like the rocky soil, with initial joy, but no depth, no root?

We speak of "the thief on the cross" but there were TWO thieves?!

Be thankful. Be grateful. Be worshipping "at the feet of Jesus". Proclaim everywhere you go what Jesus has done for you!

Be NOT like the cleansed demonic who was later revisited by his old demon with seven friends?!

One thief was told, "... YOU will be with me ..."

One leper returned, praising Jesus.

One demoniac had a witness he couldn't NOT share!

BE IN THE STORY, NOT A FORGOTTEN FOOTNOTE!

Rock of Ages (especially note stanza three?!)

Rock of Ages, cleft for me

Let me hide myself in thee;

Let the water and the blood,

From thy riven side which flowed,

Be of sin the double cure,

Cleanse me from its guilt and pow'r.

Not the labors of my hands

Can fulfil thy law's demands;

Could my zeal no respite know,

Could my tears for ever flow,

All for sin could not atone;

Thou must save, and thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,

Simply to thy cross I cling;

Naked, come to thee for dress,

Helpless, look to thee for grace;

Foul, I to the Fountain fly;

Wash me, Saviour, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,

When mine eyelids close in death,

When I soar to worlds unknown,

See thee on thy judgment throne,

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in thee.