Please leave
When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region. – Matthew 8:28-34
In this history Jesus casted out the demons that were oppressing two men. This is probably the worst condition that can affect a person. This condition affected not only these men, but the people of the region as well since “they were so violent that no one could pass that way.” So, what Jesus did was for the benefit of these men and all the people living in the region. However, what shall have caused happiness and gratitude turned into a petition for Jesus to leave the region.
Apparently these people outweighed the economic impact of the pigs lost over the benefit of being liberated from the possibility of being beaten by demon possessed men. Maybe their though was: “what else could we lose if Jesus casts out more demons or heals people?”
What happened to these people? How come Jesus received more respect from the demons (whom recognized him as the Son of God) than from the people that received the benefits of this miracle?
Our nation has been blessed by God in many ways. However, it looks like more people are following the path of the Gadarenes by asking Jesus:
- please leave our schools
- please leave our government
- please leave our courthouses
- please, don’t tell us how to define morality
- etc.
Serving Jesus has its cost, but it is priceless. No matter what we could loss as a result of serving him, nothing will be compared to the eternal benefits of following Jesus.
I have decided to plead Jesus to stay with me forever. What will you plead Jesus?
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