The men that had the work of caring for the pigs ran away. They went into town and told the people what happened. They told about all that happened with the pigs and with the men that had demons. Then the whole town went out to see Jesus. When the people saw Jesus, they begged him to leave their area.
- Matthew 8:33-34 (ERV)
THOUGHT:
The status quo is very powerful!
* We would rather things not change if they are going to threaten us or our livelihood, even though that change might mean something better for others.
* We would rather things not change when the change makes us look at things differently or forces us to treat others differently at our expense.
* We would rather things not change if we don't understand the change or the reason for the change.
So we had better not be overly quick to pass judgment on the folks who asked Jesus to leave.
Change makes most of us uncomfortable in one way or another.
* Jesus' goal, however, isn't merely change; he is about deliverance, blessing, and transformation.
* He wants us to be transformed by the Holy Spirit to become more like him.
* That is his goal; and if we seek him as Lord, his transformation in us will be every bit as dramatic over time as it was with the men who had demons.
*** So the question is, do you want him to leave you alone or to leave you changed? ***
PRAYER:
Righteous God, forgive me when I see the irritating things in others rather than their need for salvation. I know that your work of transformation needs to continue in me, so that I might live for you in today's world. Change my heart, my behavior, and my thoughts to be like my Savior. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures:
* My little children, again I feel pain for you like a mother feels when she gives birth.
* I will feel this until you truly become like Christ.
* So we continue to tell people about Christ.
* We use all wisdom to counsel every person and teach every person.
* We are trying to bring all people before God as people who have grown to be spiritually mature in Christ.
** To do this, I work and struggle using the great strength that Christ gives me. That strength is working in my life. - Colossians 1:28-29; Galatians 4:19
A student is not better than his teacher. But when the student has fully learned, then he will be like his teacher. - Luke 6:40
And our faces are not covered. We all show the Lord's glory. We are being changed to be like him. This change in us brings more and more glory. This glory comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. - 2 Corinthians 3:18
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