PIGS OR PEOPLE?
When they had crossed over, they landed at Genessaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognised Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard He was. And wherever He went – into villages, towns or countryside – they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged Him to let them touch even the edge of His cloak, and all who touched it were healed (Mark 6: 53-56).
Genessaret again, but what a different reception this time! The pigs were forgotten. Sick people needed help and Jesus was there in person – the same Jesus they had chased away a short time before because He had driven a legion of demons out of a mad man; and they were terrified of Him as a result.
What a different story now! The healed man had done his job well. Jesus had instructed him to go home and tell his story to family and friends – and he had done just that. I don’t think he spared any details, not even the bits about his sordid lifestyle and the invasion of demons that took hold of him as a result. Demons don’t just take over a human being without invitation. He had certainly made enough bad decisions and done enough bad things to give them free entry into his life and his body. And he had paid a heavy price as a result.
After Jesus had driven the demons out, the people’s livelihood took a knock because the unclean spirits invaded their pigs and sent them careering down the steep embankment into the lake. These Gentiles had no idea who this was and what He was up to, so they got rid of Him as fast as they could, but they could not silence a free man. Wouldn’t you keep talking if you had been delivered from a living hell?
Slowly the mood began to change. The crazy-now-sane guy kept talking and didn’t go crazy again. He became the sanest person in the region. Gone were his lustful gaze at the girls, ogling and undressing each one with his eyes as they passed by, his suggestive comments, his promiscuous behaviour and his disgusting language. He was clean-living, respectful and considerate. Even his wife began to trust him again.
The change in him was permanent, so his neighbours began to realise. Something dramatic had happened to him – and it must have had something to do with the man they had sent packing when the pigs went over the cliff. The people were finally convinced and began to hope that the stranger would return. They would not send Him away this time. He had something to offer them and they needed His help.
Imagine their surprise and delight when news of His arrival spread around the region! They lost no time in rushing out to greet Him and bringing their ailing friends and family members to be healed. Before you could blink an eye, crowds had gathered from all over the region. Talk about a healing campaign! Jesus didn’t have to put up posters everywhere announcing His arrival. One man was witness enough to what He could do. His presence was there and they came.
From place to place Jesus and His disciples went – villages, towns and farms were all in it. And the people welcomed them. Never had this Gentile region, so alienated from God and from His people because they were hated and despised, and they knew it, been so blessed by the coming of the Son of God Himself! Did they know who He was? Probably not, but they were content to receive the blessing of healing and deliverance from their suffering and pain.
No doubt Jesus also taught them about the kingdom of God. After all, He was not just a miracle healer; He was God’s Messiah, sent by the Father to announce to both Jew and Gentile the good news that God was in charge. His miracles and His teaching were a testimony to His identity and they were inescapable.
The devil was there; demons were active, but not for long. An event was on the horizon so earth-shattering that even nature would writhe in pain as it happened. The Creator of the universe, the Son of the living God was soon to be killed by His own people for the sin of the world. Not only the stand-offish Jews but these Gentile pagans were also in on the deal. Jesus was there to tell them and to show them that God’s favour was about to be unleashed on them as well.
What a moment for helpless and hopeless people! They may have not understood when their kinsman was delivered from his torment. They may have sent Jesus away in their fear, but they were given a second chance and they grabbed it with both hands, thanks to the testimony of a freed man. That’s what Jesus came to do. This time they chose people over pigs!
Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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