This passage makes me angry when I read it. Here, this man is clearly both personally disturbed and a huge problem to the people around him, and Jesus has mercy on him. Yet the people were more concerned about their pigs than they were about this man. They beg Jesus to leave, and so he does. Yet it also makes me angry because I can see that I would be very uncomfortable with what Jesus did as well. I’m afraid that in many instances, this might be a little too much Jesus for me.
So, how much Jesus is too much for you? What cost is too much for you to pay to reach out to the needs of others? We will encounter times in our lives where we will have to immediately choose to give up things that are very dear and costly to us for the good of the Kingdom. Will we respond in faith?
Two closing thoughts: First, the crowds were amazed, but their amazement did not equate to faith. It is not enough to be amazed by Jesus. Amazement is just one step above amusement. We must have true faith. Secondly, even though the people did not believe, God still left a true witness of faith in their midst. Fortunately for us, even when our faith is not enough, God is still faithful to bring about his purpose.
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