32 And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.
Small towns in America seldom see anything like what happened here. A small city in ancient Palestine most likely never saw a lot of excitement either. A man came into town and the next thing they knew, two of the town crazies had their demons sent into pigs and the pigs went swimming and died. No wonder the whole city came out to see what happened. What is a wonder is their response. Why did they want Jesus to go away? Why indeed?
For the same reason people want him to go away today. His name is powerful and wonderful. He has done great things, healing the blind and lame, teaching with perfect wisdom, and rising from the dead. No wonder his story has been the bestseller since it was written. The wonder is why people want him to stay dead and leave them alone. They are used to the darkness and Jesus, like the brightest lantern in the world, shines the light of holiness right in their eyes. It hurts their eyes and they have two choices; they can get used to the light or they can get rid of the light. The people in Palestine could not get rid of him and neither can we. Jesus is not going away…
He is coming to your town.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church