Blind

Matthew 8:28-34 When Jesus arrived on the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gadarenes, two men who were possessed by demons met him. They lived in a cemetery and were so violent that no one could go through that area. They began screaming at him, “Why are you interfering with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before God’s appointed time?”  There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding in the distance. So the demons begged, ‘If you cast us out, send us into that herd of pigs.”  “All right, go!” Jesus commanded them. So the demons came out of the men and entered the pigs, and the whole herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water. The herdsmen fled to the nearby town, telling everyone what happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus, but they begged him to go away and leave them alone. 

Do you see? You wonder how so many can be so blind to what is happening around them.  You don’t understand how so many can see my hand everywhere yet refuse to believe in me. Look at these people. They lived in a village that had two demon-possessed men that were so violent no one could go near them. No one could go into or through the cemetery where they lived. They were powerless over the malevolent spirits that had taken residence in these two men. They were incapable of overcoming the evil, of taming the violent men, or keeping their town safe. I cast these demons out of the men, healing them and making the town safe again for everyone. At the demons’ request, I allowed them to enter into a herd of pigs. Why? Why would I allow the demons to remain active, even if just in a herd of pigs? Perhaps for the object lesson to follow. So, did the townspeople rejoice in the healing of the two men? No. Did they rejoice that the demonic spirits were gone and their town was again safe? No. Did they thank me for the deliverance?  No. None of that is indicated here. No, their focus was on the herd of pigs – which threw themselves into a lake of water and drowned. The pigs were probably the main source of food and money for the town. They were treasured. They were more important to these people than the two human souls that I had saved. For them, the cost was too high. So instead of thanking me, instead of rejoicing over the saved men, instead of focusing on the liberation of their town, their cemetery, from evil spirits, they mourned the loss of the pigs and were afraid of what else would happen if I remained there. See? They saw me in person. They witnessed this miraculous delivery firsthand. They were actually present. And yet, their focus was on the wrong thing. Their focus was on their bodily needs, on their desires, on their earthly comfort and safety. Not on me. Not on my miracles. Not on my love for all. Not on my ability to deliver. So it is today. Many are blinded to the spiritual aspect of this war you are in. Many are incapable – even unwilling – to take their eyes off of their everyday, corporal lives and focus on the spiritual aspect of everything. They cannot – or will not – recognize the spiritual that surrounds them. And so it will continue to be. Do not be discouraged. Eyes on me. Focus. Keep telling the Truth, keep battling, keep availing yourselves of the weapons and tools I have provided. All will work out, in my timing and in my way. In the meantime, don’t give up and don’t give in. And never fear my power, it is on your side. I am for you. Will you continue to walk with me?