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.
When Jesus arrived in Gadera he got two responses...one spiritual and one physical. Both are instructive
The demons were less than pleased. “What do you want with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time? If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” I am sympathetic with the demons. First, before anything else was said, they knew Jesus was after them. Second, they knew it was their destiny to face Jesus at some point anyway. Third, they knew Jesus had all authority in that destiny.
How could they possibly be pleased under those conditions? After all, they were demons.
Yet, Jesus gave them exactly what they asked for...and they were destroyed anyway.
I'm not comparing our spirits to these demon spirits, except to say that it is with our spirits that Jesus wants to commune. And like the demon spirits, our spirits intuitively understand this. Our spirits also know that we eventually will have to get serious with Jesus and our spirits know it will be on Jesus' terms. So...we naturally react with some hesitation when we sense Jesus wants to get serious. Our spirits have constructed a comfortable abode and we're averse to change.
I feel it everyday as I meditate. "what if...?"
On the other hand, I feel less sympathy for the merchants. We're told that after the herd of pigs was destroyed "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." They saw a threat to their financial livelihood and wanted Jesus gone.
This is embarrassing. No existential threat...as with the demons. Just stuff. And, they had no clue what they were facing in Jesus...as though they could tell him to go away and that would be the end of it. They probably even congratulated each other after Jesus left. Its what happens when we turn the tables...giving our physical lives priority over our spiritual lives.
Pathetic...
The question, I suppose, is simple. How do we respond when we notice Jesus wants to get "up close and personal" in our lives? I'm sure it depends on what we believe the consequences might be. But, be certain of this: Jesus wants our spirits. So, I suggest we have a serious "come to Jesus" moment in our spirits and settle this. Our spirits already know the score...God built it into us. They are only nervous about what the changes might look like. We're going to have this encounter eventually...it may as well be sooner rather than later.
However, let's do ourselves a favor. Let's not allow this decision...under any circumstances...be about stuff. We only embarrass ourselves and delay the inevitable.
Live boldly out there today...
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