Matthew 8:18-34

There will be two posts today, because I missed yesterday's reading Matthew 8:18-34.
Matthew is still working on making sure his audience gets the message that with the coming of Jesus, the kingdom of God has come: “What kind of man is this?” they said. “Even the winds and the waves obey him!” It's pretty much like in the beginning.
Matthew is also still working on making sure his audience gets the message that Jesus is faithful to the Jewish tradition: Gadara is in the Decapolis still - where the gentiles live. That's why there is pigs in this story. Not only does Jesus cast out demons but he also disposes of a non-kosher herd of pigs, killing two birds with one stone.