Jesus is Essential
Mark 5:15–20: Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region. And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.
There was first the healthy, reflexive fear which came from sensing they were in the presence of the supernatural. What they had seen was an undeniable miracle. The only explanation was God.
There were other considerations too—commercial ones. A huge business had been felled in one blow. This Jesus would demand some changes which would cost. The Gerasenes were a practical people and held property very important, as all decent people would. Actually, they preferred pigs to people, swine to souls! 1
Walking with Jesus
Their businesses were more important than His blessings. Evaluate your recent decisions. Is material stuff more important than spiritual stuff?
Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle. Psalm 43:3
Jesus will transform your world, if you let Him.
Praying
Lord, thank You for letting me become a worker in Your kingdom on earth.
1. Hughes, R. K. (1989). Mark: Jesus, servant and savior. Westchester, IL: Crossway Books.
