EGW WritingsMatthew 8

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Lt 208, 1902

17LtMs, Lt 208, 1902, par. 43

Absorbed in their efforts to save themselves, they had forgotten that Jesus was on board. Suddenly they came to their senses. They remembered at whose command they had set out to cross the sea. In Jesus was their only hope. “Master, Master!” they cried. [Luke 8:24.] There was no response to their call. Again they called; again no response. Suddenly a flash of lightning revealed Him sleeping. Arousing Him, they exclaimed, “Lord, save us; we perish! And He saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man if this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” [Matthew 8:25-27.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 22, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 22, 1897, par. 5

Light has been given that camp meetings are to be held in large cities. These meetings are not to be held in the same locality again and again. The place of meetings should be changed, that others may have opportunity to know the truth. But narrow ideas have been favored by some. In some cases men have reasoned that the lumber was on the ground, and that to save expense, the meeting ought to be held in the same place. This has often been of sufficient force to lead our brethren to decide to hold their camp meetings over and over again in the same location. But this has been a mistake. All such reasoning brings weakness and loss. In our camp meetings much may be done to bring the light of truth before the people. But “O ye of little faith” is applicable to many that should have much faith. [Matthew 8:26.]

To Be Like Jesus

Even Nature Obeys Divine Commands, February 21

BLJ 60.1

And the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” Matthew 8:27, NKJV.

Jesus, Name Above All Names

Divine Pilot, June 20

JNN 183.1

“Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”—Matthew 8:27

Lift Him Up

Mercy Toward the Demoniacs, March 11

LHU 84.1

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. Matthew 8:28.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 32, 1903

18LtMs, Lt 32, 1903, par. 4

We look back at the preceding chapter and see how wonderfully He wrought. After stilling the water, He went into the country of the Gergesenes, and “there met Him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.” [Matthew 8:28.]

18LtMs, Lt 32, 1903, par. 5

Satan drove these insane men into Christ’s presence. But as they met the Saviour, they found that they were bound with something stronger than the chains that they had broken, and 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?” [Verse 29.] At the name of Christ, even the devils believe, and tremble. They acknowledge that He is the Son of God, and yet they are devils still, and how greatly this increases their condemnation!

18LtMs, Lt 32, 1903, par. 6

“And there was a good way off from them an herd of swine feeding. And the devils besought Him, saying, If Thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. And He said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine; and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.” [Verses 30-32.]

18LtMs, Lt 32, 1903, par. 7

Then the keepers of the swine went into the city, and told the people what Jesus had done, how He had cast the evil spirits out of the men, and how these spirits had entered into the swine, causing the loss of the entire herd. Satan was working against Christ through these men, making the people believe that He had destroyed their property. The whole city came out to meet Jesus, but instead of welcoming Him to their homes, instead of bringing their sick to be healed by Him, “they besought Him that He would depart out of their coasts.” [Verse 34.] Their covetousness made them wish to get rid of Him.

The Ministry of Healing

Chapter 6—Saved to Serve

MH 96.1

With authority He bids the unclean spirits come out of them. The unfortunate men realize that One is near who can save them from the tormenting demons. They fall at the Saviour’s feet to entreat His mercy; but when their lips are opened, the demons speak through them, crying, “What have we to do with Thee, Jesus, Thou Son of God? art Thou come hither to torment us?” Matthew 8:29.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 7, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 7, 1900, par. 14

Well did Satan know who Christ was; for when the Saviour went to Gadara, the evil spirits in the two madmen there cried out, “We know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. Art thou come hither to torment us before our time?” [Mark 1:24; Matthew 8:29.] As Christ passed through the test of the second Adam, His beauty of character shone out through His disguise. Satan could see through His humanity the glory and purity of the Holy One with whom he had been associated in the heavenly courts. As he looked upon Christ, there rose before his mind a picture of what he himself was then. At that time he had beauty and holiness. Self-exaltation led him to strive for a place above Christ. But he had failed. Could he not now carry out his design upon the enfeebled humanity of Christ? He knew that if he could induce Christ to yield one jot in His allegiance to His Father, he would have the world entirely in his power, and would be able to rule as only he in a changed spiritual nature could rule.