Sunday, September 2, 2018

Jesus in Decapolis

A few months ago the Sunday lesson was taken from the account of the Master's visit to the land of the Gadarenes, or Gergesenes, as they are called in the KJV.  Review here.

Briefly, Jesus had gone to the Heights where he met the demon-possessed, cast the demons into a herd of swine and two thousand animals ran into the sea and drowned

Jesus, it seems to me, made this visit to a strange place in exhibition of this love for all people.  He came to the Gadarenes bearing healing and salvation.  But when the swineherds ran into the city to report the doings of this Jesus in the countryside, the people, the entire city, ran out to him.  Ran out to him seeking his favor?  No! They ran out to him pleading with him to leave their country forthwith.

Now why would they do that?  Loss of the swine, of course.  Those pigs were worth more to them than healing, love, salvation.

What have you in your life that you value so highly that you might ask Jesus to depart and withdraw his gifts?

Matthew 8:28-34

4 comments:

Vee said...

It's all about values. Messed up world then - messed up world now.

vanilla said...

Vee, yes, Jesus came to heal messed up people.

Secondary Roads said...

Still today, many (perhaps most) folk are more interested in their bellies than in their souls. What a pity.

vanilla said...

Chuck, valuing the temporal above the immortal. It is sad.