Matthew 8:18-34

18Now, when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he ordered ⌞his disciples⌟ to cross to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.

19An expert in Moses’ Teachings came to him and said, “Teacher, I’ll follow you wherever you go.”

20Jesus told him, “Foxes have holes, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to sleep.”

21Another disciple said to him, “Sir, first let me go to bury my father.”

22But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

23Jesus’ disciples went with him as he left in a boat.

24Suddenly, a severe storm came across the sea. The waves were covering the boat. Yet, Jesus was sleeping.

25So they woke him up, saying, “Lord! Save us! We’re going to die!”

26Jesus said to them, “Why do you cowards have so little faith?” Then he got up, gave an order to the wind and the sea, and the sea became very calm.

27The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!”

28When he arrived in the territory of the Gadarenes on the other side ⌞of the Sea of Galilee⌟, two men met him. They were possessed by demons and had come out of the tombs. No one could travel along that road because the men were so dangerous.

29They shouted, “Why are you bothering us now, Son of God? Did you come here to torture us before it is time?”

30A large herd of pigs was feeding in the distance.

31The demons begged Jesus, “If you’re going to force us out, send us into that herd of pigs.”

32Jesus said to them, “Go!” The demons came out and went into the pigs. Suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the cliff into the sea and died in the water.

33Those who took care of the pigs ran into the city. There they reported everything, especially about the men possessed by demons.

34Everyone from the city went to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged him to leave their territory.