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Stilling of the Storm
205
the storm did not run away. When the men, foaming at the mouth,
approached Him, Jesus raised that hand whose gesture had quieted
the waves, and the men could come no nearer.
With authority, Jesus commanded the unclean spirits to come out
of them. His words penetrated the darkened minds of the unfortunate
men. They realized dimly that One was near who could save them
from the tormenting demons. But when they opened their lips to beg
for His mercy, the demons spoke through them, crying furiously,
“What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I
beg You, do not torment me!”
Jesus asked, “What is your name?” And the answer was, “My
name is Legion; for we are many.” The demons begged Jesus not
to send them out of the country. On a mountainside not far away, a
large herd of swine was feeding. The demons asked to be allowed
to enter these pigs. Immediately, the herd rushed madly down the
cliff, plunged into the lake, and died.
Meanwhile, a marvelous change had come over the two demon-
possessed men. Light had shone into their minds. Their eyes beamed
with intelligence and their blood-stained hands were quiet. With
glad voices, the men praised God for deliverance.
From the cliff, the keepers of the pigs had seen everything that
had happened, and they hurried away to announce the news to their
employers. In fear and amazement, the whole population flocked to
meet Jesus. The demon-possessed men had been the terror of the
country. No one had been safe to pass where they were. Now these
men were clothed and in their right mind, listening to Jesus’ words
and glorifying Him who had made them whole. But the people did
not rejoice. The loss of the pigs seemed greater to them than the
deliverance of these captives of Satan.
The owners of the swine were absorbed in earthly things and did
not care about the great interests of spiritual life. Jesus wanted to
break the spell of selfish indifference, so that they might accept His
grace. But resentment over their financial loss blinded their eyes to
the Savior’s mercy.
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