Thursday, May 11: “Restored Ogre”

Luke 8: 35: “The people went out to see what had happened; and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened.”

How can the people of the Gerasenes have gotten it so wrong? They’ve been set free from an uncontrollable ogre; the ogre himself is restored by the power of God; and instead of celebrating in gratitude, they become frightened! Why fear? Perhaps now they see a greater force than that of the demoniac, whom at least they are used to, and are afraid of what other ways Jesus might exhibit His power. Or perhaps they fear that if He has done away with their unclean swine, what other of their hidden taboos might He next turn His attention to? So Jesus has the restored man stay in the region, so they can grow to understand that God’s restoration is something to embrace, rather than fear.