“The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.” — Mark 5:12-17
When the demons begged Jesus to let them go into a herd of pigs, He gave them permission. They entered the pigs, rushed down the steep bank into the lake, and were drowned. What puzzles me is why people didn’t celebrate that someone was healed? Why would the people kick Jesus out of their village when he was doing good? Why weren’t the people compassionate toward this possessed man? It makes me think that this story is not as much about the healing of the man but about the farmers and what has their heart.
You see two thousand pigs represented a ton of money to these farmers. We’re talking annual if not career earnings. So this simple request of Legion bankrupted the community. Satan knows he is defeated but yet he will constantly nag, poke, and torment to move our focus from doing His will. But it’s their response of fear and wanting Jesus to leave shows the hardness of their hearts and their desire to remain in sin.
Sometimes Jesus uses a material possession or worldly desire to draw attention to the root cause of that desire to expose spiritual drifting.
- For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21)
- No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:24)
What are the pigs in your life that you are protecting from Jesus?
Reflection |
Whom or what are you serving?