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Mercy Toward the Demoniacs, March 11
And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes,
there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding
fierce.
Matthew 8:28
.
In the early morning the Saviour and His companions came to shore.... But no
sooner had they stepped upon the beach than their eyes were greeted by a sight more
terrible than the fury of the tempest. From some hiding place among the tombs, two
madmen rushed upon them as if to tear them in pieces....
The disciples and their companions fled in terror; but presently they noticed that
Jesus was not with them.... He was standing where they had left Him. He who had
stilled the tempest ... did not flee before these demons....
With authority He bade the unclean spirits come out of them. His words pene-
trated the darkened minds of the unfortunate men.... A marvelous change had come
over the demoniacs. Light had shone into their minds. Their eyes beamed with
intelligence. The countenances, so long deformed into the image of Satan, became
suddenly mild, the bloodstained hands were quiet, and with glad voices the men
praised God for their deliverance....
The people of Gergesa had before them the living evidence of Christ’s power
and mercy. They saw the men who had been restored to reason; but they were so
fearful of endangering their earthly interests that He who had vanquished the prince
of darkness before their eyes was treated as an intruder, and the Gift of heaven was
turned from their doors....
But far different was the feeling of the restored demoniacs. They desired the
company of their deliverer. In His presence they felt secure from the demons that
had tormented their lives and wasted their manhood. As Jesus was about to enter
the boat, they kept close to His side, knelt at His feet, and begged Him to keep them
near Him, where they might ever listen to His words. But Jesus bade them go home
and tell what great things the Lord had done for them....
As soon as Jesus pointed out their duty they were ready to obey. Not only did
they tell their own households and neighbors about Jesus, but they went throughout
Decapolis, everywhere declaring His power to save.... In doing this work they
could receive a greater blessing than if, merely for benefit to themselves, they had
remained in His presence. It is in working to spread the good news of salvation
that we are brought near to the Saviour.... They could not instruct the people as the
disciples who had been daily with Christ were able to do. But they bore in their
own persons the evidence that Jesus was the Messiah. They could tell what they
knew; what they themselves had seen, and heard, and felt of the power of Christ
(
The Desire of Ages, 337-340
).
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