Monday 10 March 2025
Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighbourhood. (v. 34)
Background
At a recent Bible study I attended, a woman called Mary recounted how a non-Christian friend had once asked her to pray for healing for her. When God did heal, Mary fully expected her friend to want to know more of the Christian faith. Instead, ‘spooked’ by what had happened, the friend turned her back on Mary and never spoke to her again.
In today’s passage, we see the same fear reaction from both demons and onlookers as they come face to face with the power of God in Jesus.
Since pig farming was forbidden in Jewish areas, it seems likely that this is Jesus’ first visit to the pagan area of Perea (the area around the Gadarenes). Two demon-possessed men living in the tombs recognise Jesus straight away. The demons inside them shout: "What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" (v. 29)
The Jews were very familiar with the idea that at the day of judgement, God would destroy all demons, so had the day of judgement now arrived?
Jesus doesn’t get into conversation with the demons but commands them to leave the two men immediately. "Go" he tells them and the demons leave the two men, taking up residence in the herd of pigs who then rush into the lake and drown.
Animal lovers understandably find the fate of the pigs difficult to accept but it’s possible Jesus may not have known the outcome. However, by driving out the demons, Jesus shows us the value he places on human beings as well as his powers over the forces of evil. It’s a value not shared by the onlookers who, probably concerned about the loss of their pig farming industry, plead with Jesus to leave their region.
Just as Mary’s friend might have been frightened to acknowledge that the power of Jesus is real and therefore demands a response, so Jesus’ audience might not have wanted to recognise the son of God in their midst.
To Ponder:
- Have you ever had this same reaction of rejection when you have prayed for a non-Christian friend and God answered your prayer?
- There seems to be no middle ground in people’s reaction to Jesus. They either ‘plead with him to leave their region’ or are ‘amazed'. Have you ever encountered either of these extreme reactions to Jesus in your own lives?
Prayer
Loving God, open my eyes to the power of Jesus working in the world and help me to lead others to him. Amen.
Bible notes author: Sue Moore
Sue Moore is a visiting Anglican preacher on the Methodist circuit in West Norfolk. She is candidating for the role of Distinctive Deacon and together with her husband runs a bereavement support group. They have two greyhounds who keep them fit with plenty of walking.