Are you going to choose Jesus or the pigs?

 

    What is your most valuable possession?  Would you be ok if Jesus came and took it away for the sake of your soul and souls of others?  

Mark 5:1-18

When Jesus arrives at  at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes, as soon as he gets out of the boat, he is met by a demon-possessed man.  "Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones."

When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. 7With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!” 8For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.”

9Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?”

And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.” 10Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place.

11There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. 12“Send us into those pigs,” the spirits begged. “Let us enter them.”

13So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.

After the 2000 pigs drowned in the water herdsman spread the news, the crowd came to see Jesus and the man who was freed from demons sitting there fully sane now.  What did they do when they saw that this brother was free and sane?  They mourn over the financial loss of 2000 pigs.  They ask Jesus to leave their town.  So after just one miracle, Jesus had to leave, but one soul was saved, the man who was demon-possed and he wished to follow Jesus.  Jesus is wise and God of second chances, "But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” 20So the man started off to visit the Ten Townsc of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them."

Why did the townfolks not want Jesus to stay after seeing what He did for the demon-possessed man?  Rather than recognizing what Jesus had done what was previously impossible for the brother in their town, their focus was on the 2000 pigs and their financial loss.  Rather than being joyful that this brother is well, they mourned their financial loss.  What is your 2000 pigs?  What are you afraid to lose?  For me, it was secular music.  When my Christian friends told me about Jesus in collge, I haughtily rejected the idea of becoming a Christian because, "I don't want to listen to just Christian music."  I enjoyed listening to grunge rock like Pearl Jam and Nirvana back in college and I didn't want to trade it in for Jesus. Thankfully, God did not give up on me but sent me many messengers throughout my life until one day, my heart was humbled and softened.  Now, the irony is that I almost only listen to Christian music now.   Do you have a 2000 pigs you don't want to trade in for the creator of the universe, everlasting, awesome, all powerful God, and who will satisfy all your longings?  I hope you will one day realize Jesus is worth more than the world.    

    It wasn't until I became like the demon-possesd man, struggling with depression and feeling hopeless about the future that I recognized the need for a savior.  Then You may be like the demon-possessed man, miserable, and hopeless.  If this is you, Jesus can do the impossible for you.  Acknowledge that you cannot do this on your own and ask Jesus to help you.  Jesus can free you of any demons, he has power over all things.  On the other hand, you may have a good life already and feel like you have everything you can ask for.  This message is for you.   "17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.

20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends." (Revelation 3:17-20)

Will you accept the invitation?