Mark 5:17,18 – “Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region. 18And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him.”
This passage of scripture saddens me greatly. Rather than celebrate the deliverance of a demon-possessed man, the people of the region ran the Deliverer out of town. Notice two words: “plead” and “beg.” In the Greek they are the exact same word. On one hand it is used to drive Jesus away. On the other hand it is used on behalf of the former demon-possessed man that he might travel with Jesus. Hmmmm…
It is been my observation that people, for the most part, desire a peaceful religion. One that soothes and calms. But as I follow the ministry of Jesus I see many times that disruption and mayhem are regular signs of the Lord’s presence. People are quite satisfied with routine and familiarity. When something comes along that challenges “normalcy” there will be some sort of outcry. It may come in the form of those being delivered (v.7 – “With a shriek he screamed…” NLT) or it may come in the form of those who are uncomfortable with the “mess.”
I hope I didn’t drive Him away lately by my desire for spiritual “neatness.” I hope the Lord was welcome to move any way He desired to and destroy anything that was ungodly. “Oh God, may there come a holy disruption in our lives and ministries if needed in order to bring about a holy order and purity that glorifies You.”