What can we learn about Jesus' power from "Go!" in Matthew 8:32?

Setting the Scene

Matthew 8:32—“‘Go!’ He told them. So they came out and went into the pigs, and suddenly the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and died in the waters.”

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The Command: One Word, Total Control

• Jesus issues a single, unambiguous word—“Go!”

• No formula, ritual, or struggle follows; the demons depart instantly.

• The response is immediate and dramatic, confirming the power behind the command.

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Snapshots of His Power Revealed

• Authority over the unseen realm

– Demons recognize His sovereignty (Matthew 8:29).

– “Even the unclean spirits obey Him” (Mark 1:27).

• Effortless dominion

– Creation obeys His word (Psalm 33:9).

– Storms cease at a phrase (Matthew 8:26).

• Irresistible effectiveness

– The pigs’ stampede shows tangible results in the natural world.

• Divine identity affirmed

– Only God commands spiritual forces with such ease (Colossians 1:16-17).

• Mercy and judgment balanced

– Deliverance for the tormented men; judgment on the demons—both accomplished simultaneously.

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Character Traits of Jesus’ Power

1. Sovereign—nothing negotiates with Him.

2. Immediate—no delay, no partial obedience.

3. Word-centered—His speech alone is sufficient (Hebrews 1:3).

4. Liberating—people are freed, not merely improved (John 8:36).

5. Uncontested—evil can only submit (James 2:19).

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Living in the Light of This Power

• Confidence: “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

• Freedom: Areas of bondage meet an all-powerful Savior.

• Worship: Recognize and honor the One whose single word changes realities.

• Mission: Go with courage; the authority that dispatched legions accompanies His followers (Matthew 28:18-20).