And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw Him, they besought Him that He would depart out of their coasts. Matthew 8:34
Our text describes what may well be the worst reception that the Lord Jesus ever received. The entire city came to see him, which actually sounded hopeful. Jesus had drawn large crowds before. But this crowd did not come in welcome; it did not come even in curiosity. It came in total rejection. These people took one look at the Lord Jesus and insisted that He leave. We wonder what could possibly have turned them so totally against Him. Was it the healing of the demoniacs? Was it the destruction of the herd of swine? Or were they just not the least interested in having guests, regardless of how well commended and interesting? Whatever it was, the Gergesenes were unwelcoming and inhospitable toward the One Who had come to save them. They were just like you and I used to be.
As a child, I knew about the Lord Jesus, and could sing Jesus Loves Me. I knew about Him being the only Saviour for guilty and helpless sinners. But I neglected and rejected Him until I was 12. Although I never told Him to go away, as the Gergesenes did. But I made no place for Him in my life, and no provision for Him in my plans. Because I knew more about Him than the Gergesenes did, I was more responsible to receive and welcome Him. What a wonder that He did not leave me to a Christ rejector’s fate!
Reaching others with the Gospel is a difficult task, because so many are not interested in what the Lord Jesus brings. Like the Gergesenes, they don’t want to give up the elements of their lives that would be incompatible with having the Lord Jesus present. Sinful habits, ungodly pursuits, unholy entertainment must all depart when He is present, and those things are so much a part of so many people that they don’t want to let go. We hear so many tell us that they have their own religion and to keep ours to ourselves. But we are not trying to introduce them to a religion, but to the Lord Jesus. And it is extremely difficult to get people to listen. The vast majority of them just tell us – and the Lord Jesus – to go away.
How kind it was of the Lord Jesus to visit the Gergesenes, and how disappointing that they failed to recognize their opportunity. How kind of the Lord Jesus to visit us today with His offer of Salvation. Most of the world is not interested. How interested are we? -Jim MacIntosh