Men from the Tombs
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displeased at their loss; and the prospect of Jesus remaining among
them filled them with apprehension. They implored him to depart from
their coast. The Saviour complied with their demands, and immediately
took ship with his disciples and left them to their avarice and unbelief.
The inhabitants had before them living evidences of the power
and mercy of Him whom they drove from their midst. They saw that
the lunatics had been restored to reason; but they were so fearful of
incurring pecuniary loss that the Saviour, who had baffled the Prince of
Darkness before their eyes, was treated as an unwelcome invader, and
they turned the priceless Gift of Heaven from their doors, and blindly
rejected his visit of mercy. We have not the opportunity of turning
from the person of Christ, as did the Gadarenes; but there are many in
these days who refuse to follow his teachings, because in so doing they
must sacrifice some worldly interest. Many, in the various pursuits of
life, turn Jesus from their hearts, fearful that his presence may cost
them pecuniary loss. Like the selfish Gadarenes, they overlook his
grace, and ruthlessly drive his Spirit from them. To such his words
apply: “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
Some may reason that the course pursued by Jesus in this matter
prevented the people of that region from receiving his doctrine, that this
startling exhibition of his power turned them away from his teachings,
and cut them off from his influence. But such minds fail to penetrate
the plans of the Saviour. At the time that the Gadarenes besought Jesus
to leave their coast, there was also a petition offered by the restored
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lunatics. It was that they might accompany their Deliverer. In his
presence they felt secure from the demons that had tormented their
lives and wasted their manhood. They kept close to his side as he was
about to enter the boat, knelt at his feet and implored him to take them
with him and teach them his truth. But Jesus directed them to go home
to their friends, and tell them what great things the Lord had done for
them.
Here a work was given them to do,—to go to a heathen home, and
impart to their friends the light that they had received from Jesus. They
might have plead that it was a great trial to be separated from their
Benefactor at this early stage of their experience, and that it was more
congenial to their feelings to remain with him than to be exposed to
the trials and difficulties that were sure to beset them in the course he