There is an incident recorded for us regarding a man who had demons controlling him. He is the guy living among the tombs who cuts himself and scares people. The scripture says that for a long time he had not worn clothes or lived in a house. When Jesus came along, the man himself did not recognize Jesus but the powers within him did. Jesus confronted the evil and miraculously delivered him from the oppression. The demons understood Jesus’ authority; they also must have detected a measure of mercy, for they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. Jesus permitted them to go into a herd of swine. The swine ran helter-skelter into a lake and drowned.
It was told around the town and countryside about this miracle. I find it interesting that rather than rejoice in the man’s deliverance and healing and rather than recognizing this one sent from God, they were instead uncomfortable ,and afraid. The scripture says this: Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.
He up and left. The son of God was asked to leave and so He left. He didn’t stay and try to state His case with them, convince them of all He could do for them. He didn’t beg them to recognize Him. He simply got in the boat and left. The one with all the answers to all the questions left.
I find this incredibly sad, and incredibly convicting. I am fully aware of who Jesus is. I know that He is God’s son, the Messiah. I’ve invited Him in to be my Lord and Savior. But, how often have I dissed Him. How often in this circumstance or that circumstance have I said by my actions “leave, I’m uncomfortable with your way”? How often in my own life has the miracle worker “got in the boat and left” because I wanted to do things my way, or because my faith was too weak to believe in a miracle? I’ll tell you how often…..too often.
Dear Lord, please help me to recognize your authority, your wisdom and your power in all things. Please don’t get in the boat and leave. I also pray a prayer for my Nation. If you are on your way to the boat, please come back.
