haunting

AMos 5:14-15, 21-24; Ps 50 To the upright i will show the saving power of God; Mt 8:28-34

"When they saw him they begged him to leave their district."

This is a haunting line.  Jesus just cast out several demons.  According to Mark's account, a legion of demons were cast our from the demoniacs in the land of Gadarenes.

They were so savage they harassed the passer byes, tormented the locals.  Yet, when Jesus comes to solve the problem, the people, rather than rejoicing in their new found freedom from harassment, are afraid.

Rather than welcoming the new change they want to get rid of the one who comes to set them free.

Haunting.  What is it about the human nature that is rebellious against that which is good for it.  Why chase Christ away when he has proven himself to be on their side?

When independence comes, the people choose to remain bound.
They forsake the freedom Christ offers for what they have always known, even if it is torment.

Not all welcome the change christ brings.

Why do the people scorn the good and cling to the evil?

We see it all the time in our society.

Out often does JEsus comes to cast out the demons and yet we like the locals int he gospel beg Jesus to depart.  We choose our comfort over the freedom.  We choose what we now rather than seeking to know him whose love changes everything.

He comes to loosen our bonds and yet we remains staked to the ground.

On this independence Day, perhaps it is time try a new way, the way of Christ for a change for the better rather than a change for the worse.