Luk 8:37 | KingComments | STEP | Those who had herded the swine run away. They have completely lost control of the herd. Everywhere in the area, both in the city and in the country, they tell what has happened. They do an eyewitness account because they have seen it with their own eyes. Their story leads all who hear it to go and see what has happened. When they come to the Lord, they find there the man who had always made their area unsafe, sitting at His feet in complete peace. He is no longer naked and insane. He is physically dressed and mentally healthy. Here we see a picture of what grace is capable of working in a human being who, shortly before, was still completely in the power of satan. That should touch their hearts. The grace of God in Christ has done what they couldn’t achieve with their chains and shackles. But the effect on the people who see this, is fear. Then the witnesses report of the salvation of the man who was demon-possessed. They have seen how the demons were expelled from him by the Lord, and went into their herd, and how their herd had perished. Instead of being impressed by the healing of the possessed, they are impressed by the loss of their herd. The Lord had destroyed their herd. They rather get rid of such a Person Who had taken their possessions. They don’t want Him. They have tolerated the company of a man who was demon-possessed, but they do not tolerate the Lord’s company. If He would please leave them. Without saying a word, the Lord goes into a boat again and returns to Galilee.

‏ Luke 8:37

Reaction of the People in Gerasa

Those who had herded the swine run away. They have completely lost control of the herd. Everywhere in the area, both in the city and in the country, they tell what has happened. They do an eyewitness account because they have seen it with their own eyes. Their story leads all who hear it to go and see what has happened.

When they come to the Lord, they find there the man who had always made their area unsafe, sitting at His feet in complete peace. He is no longer naked and insane. He is physically dressed and mentally healthy. Here we see a picture of what grace is capable of working in a human being who, shortly before, was still completely in the power of satan. That should touch their hearts. The grace of God in Christ has done what they couldn’t achieve with their chains and shackles.

But the effect on the people who see this, is fear. Then the witnesses report of the salvation of the man who was demon-possessed. They have seen how the demons were expelled from him by the Lord, and went into their herd, and how their herd had perished. Instead of being impressed by the healing of the possessed, they are impressed by the loss of their herd. The Lord had destroyed their herd. They rather get rid of such a Person Who had taken their possessions. They don’t want Him. They have tolerated the company of a man who was demon-possessed, but they do not tolerate the Lord’s company. If He would please leave them. Without saying a word, the Lord goes into a boat again and returns to Galilee.