Revcort's Ramblings

Scripture Focus
“And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.” – Matthew 8:34 (ESV)

Devotional Thought
The scene is striking. Jesus has just demonstrated His power over the demonic realm. Two men who had been violent, uncontrollable, and tormented are suddenly set free. A legion of demons is cast out, and a herd of pigs rushes into the sea, drowned in the waters below. It is a breathtaking display of authority, mercy, and deliverance. Yet instead of rejoicing, the people of the region plead with Jesus to leave.

Why such a reaction? On one level, fear. When confronted with a power that cannot be explained or controlled, human hearts often recoil. The presence of the supernatural unsettles those who would rather not acknowledge the spiritual realm at all. But fear may not be the whole story. The death of the pigs meant financial loss and disruption. Jesus had not just shaken their worldview; He had interfered with their livelihood. His presence exposed what they valued most, and in that moment, they chose comfort and security over transformation and truth.

This passage reminds us of a sobering reality: it is possible to see the power of Christ, even to witness His miraculous deliverance, and still reject Him because the cost feels too high. Sometimes, people prefer the familiar chains of brokenness to the unsettling call of freedom. Better the predictable misery they know than the uncertain change that Jesus brings.

We might shake our heads at the townspeople, but the same temptation lurks in us. Are there areas of our lives where we quietly hope Jesus won’t interfere—habits, comforts, or blind spots that we cling to because surrender feels too costly? Do we ever ask Him, in so many words, to “keep His distance” so we can remain undisturbed? Ignorance may feel like bliss, but it is a trap. In truth, it only deepens our bondage. It is far better to be awakened, even if that awakening unsettles us, than to remain comfortably blind.

Reflection Questions

1. Where in your life might you be asking Jesus to “keep His distance” rather than letting Him disrupt your comfort?
2. How does fear of change or loss keep people from embracing Christ’s freedom?
3. What does this passage teach you about the cost of following Jesus compared to the cost of rejecting Him?

Prayer
Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I’ve asked You to keep Your distance when You were calling me into deeper freedom. Open my eyes to see that ignorance and avoidance only deepen my chains. Break the grip of fear that keeps me from trusting You fully. Give me the courage to welcome Your presence, even when it unsettles me, because true life, joy, and peace are only found in You. Amen.