Posted on 08/04/2019 5:47:06 AM PDT by metmom
“The herdsmen ran away, and went to the city and reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they implored Him to leave their region” (Matthew 8:33–34).
It’s startling to realize that some people do not respect Jesus as much as the demons do. But that was exactly the case for this city (probably ancient Gerasa). The populace wanted nothing to do with the Lord but actually begged Him to leave their area. Mark’s account of the incident gives us more clues to their attitudes: “the people came to see what it was that had happened. They came to Jesus and observed the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind . . . and they became frightened” (Mark 5:14–15). As much as any hostility they may have had, they were simply scared.
As unregenerate sinners, the Gerasenes were no doubt bewildered and intimidated by Jesus. They saw His ability to control demons and animals and to restore crazed minds to sanity—and the result was complete opposition to Christ.
In sharp contrast to the attitude of the city people, one of the delivered men implored Jesus to let him go with Him (Mark 5:18). He manifested a great faith, love, and adoration for the Lord—so much so that he could not bear the thought of sepa-ration. But Jesus commanded him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you” (Mark 5:19). The man was to be an evangelist to his own people, testifying that despite their present opposition to Jesus, the Son of God did not want them to perish spiritually.
Ask Yourself
Are there people in your life whose rejection of and opposition to Christ are totally baffling to you—going against all logic and every example of God’s reality? How should you respond to such hardheadedness?
Studying God’s Word ping
How should you respond to such hardheadedness?
With love. Continue to let your little light shine. Sounds simplistic. Sounds formulaic. That's only because it is. There's nothing we can do or say to change their mind and heart. Only God can do that. Through Jesus. All we can do is plant a seed in the form of our behavior. I think it was St. Francis of Assissi (sp?) that said, "Preach The Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words."
If you're going to say anything in an attempt to reach an unbeliever, it should be, "In Him we live and move and have our being." And then demonstrate it.
Nobody knows the origin of this, but it is not likely that it was St Francis of Assissi: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/factchecker-misquoting-francis-of-assisi/
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