When Jesus cast out demons and commanded them into a heard of swine two men were set free, but the people begged him to leave their region. They were afraid he might destroy the rest of their income possibilities. Please note: they were raising pigs an "unclean animal". This community rejected Christ, and he left. Very sad. These were the descendants of the tribe of Israel who did not enter the promised land. Their forefathers were happy in the wilderness and chose to stay. Over the generations they had gone from raising cattle, to raising pigs. They were the first to be conquered and ruled by others. Evidently the Lord was still trying to reach them. Oh the heart of our Lord, to continue to reach out, always seeking to save the lost sheep. The scriptures say, "They begged him to leave." What started as a remarkable deliverance ended with Jesus never making it past their shores. Jesus left and the story ended as quickly as it began.
As we reflect on these things, lets look at our own actions and attitudes. What do they say about us? If they were to be held up to the light, would our actions and attitudes be begging the Lord stay? or begging him go? What herds of swine do we choose over the visitation of the Son of God? Lets repent from our NO, and beg him YES. Lets open our hearts and homes and beg him stay and continue in our personal towns and villages, into the secret places of our heart. Let the Lord destroy our pigs, and continue setting us free!
The Lord was begged to leave. He is eager to save and to heal us, he took initiative to visit us in our hour of need. With our attitudes and actions, lets open our doors and beg him stay. He is willing to do so. If we beg him go, he will go, leaving us in our shame.
Lord grant us true repentance, what you have begun on our shores please continue in our homes and the deepest parts of our heart and relationships. Give us grace to welcome you into every area of our lives.
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