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From Heaven With Love
The people of Gergesa 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. Still there are many who refuse to
obey Christ’s word because obedience would involve the sacrifice
of some worldly interest. Lest His presence cause pecuniary loss,
many reject His grace and drive His Spirit from them.
But the restored demoniacs desired the company of their De-
liverer. 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 and begged Him to keep
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them near Him. But Jesus told them to go home and tell what great
things the Lord had done for them.
Here was a work for them to do—to go to a heathen home and
tell of the blessing they had received from Jesus. It was hard for
them to be separated from the Saviour. Difficulties were sure to
beset them. Long isolation from society seemed to disqualify them
for the work He had indicated. But as soon as Jesus pointed out their
duty, they were ready to obey. They went throughout Decapolis,
everywhere declaring His power to save and describing how He had
freed them from the demons. In doing this work they could receive
a greater blessing than if they had remained in His presence. In
working to spread the “good news” of salvation we are brought near
to the Saviour.
The two restored demoniacs were the first missionaries Christ
sent to preach in the region of Decapolis. For a few moments only
these men had been privileged to hear the teachings of Christ. But
they bore in their own persons the evidence that Jesus was the
Messiah. They could tell what they knew, what they had seen and
heard and felt of the power of Christ. This is what everyone can
do whose heart has been touched by the grace of God. See
1 John
1:1-3
.
If we have been following Jesus step by step, we shall have
something to tell concerning the way in which He has led us: how
we have tested His promise, and found the promise true. This is the
witness for which our Lord calls us.
Though the people of Gergesa had not received Jesus, He did
not leave them to the darkness they had chosen. They had not heard