Frightened by Change

A great miracle had taken place. A major problem had been solved. Of that there was no doubt.

From his nearby home “among the tombs,” the demon-possessed man had been screaming “night and day” and doing irrational things like “gashing himself with stones.” Filled with demonic strength, he could not be controlled.

Then Jesus appeared, and the man was delivered. Everyone could see the transformation for themselves. The man was “sitting down, clothed and in his right mind.”

However, instead of rejoicing or feeling relieved, they became frightened and implored Jesus to leave their region. Although no one doubted the reality of God’s power, they did not want to change. They simply wanted everything to return to “normal.”

Many people are like this today. They may believe in God, go to church, and think of themselves as followers of Jesus. They may know that God’s power is real and understand that He answers prayer. But they are comfortable in their lifestyle. They are content, and they don’t want to change. They are unwilling to go deeper in their relationship with God.

As Jesus showed in the country of the Gerasenes, He will not force people to change. He will allow them to go on with their lives, never experiencing all that He could provide for them. Because of their resistance to change, they will forfeit their opportunity to experience more of His power and the abundance of His Kingdom.

He offers these kinds of choices to each of us. Do we just want Him to leave us alone? Or do we want to receive His power over sin and Satan? Do we yearn for all of the blessings God offers us in His Kingdom?