Jesus went home with Peter and saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then she got up and served them. That evening people brought to Jesus many who were demon-possessed. He threw the spirits out with just a word. He healed everyone who was sick. This happened so that what Isaiah the prophet said would be fulfilled: He is the one who took our illnesses and carried away our diseases. When Jesus arrived on the other side of the lake in the country of the Gadarenes, two men who were demon-possessed came from among the tombs to meet him. They were so violent that nobody could travel on that road. They cried out, “What are you going to do with us, Son of God? Have you come to torture us before the time of judgment?” Far off in the distance a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons pleaded with him, “If you throw us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” Then he said to the demons, “Go away,” and they came out and went into the pigs. The whole herd rushed down the cliff into the lake and drowned. Those who tended the pigs ran into the city and told everything that had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole city came out and met Jesus. When they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region. (Matthew 8:14-17, 28-34, CEB)
Why did the people plead with Jesus to leave?
I mean other than the fact he just killed a herd of pigs. Shouldn’t the men’s freedom from the demons be enough to cover the pigs? Or are the pigs worth more to this community than these two men?
It is different and not what we expect. Jesus comes across the man at the Sheeps Gate (John 5:1-13) and he asks him if he wants to be healed. The man replies he has no one to help him get to the pool. It is almost as if he wants to stay the way he has been for 8 years. Jesus didn’t ask him why he didn’t get in the pool he asked if he wanted to be made well. And that is scary. Things will change.
If those men are no longer possessed then all of the community’s life changes. Sometimes it is easier to stay unwell than to be made well.
Are we ready to be made well?
Are we helping to heal the world by sharing the grace, mercy, and love we have been given?
Love Out Loud.
Loving People. Loving God.