The Cost Being Healed

When Jesus came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. Suddenly they shouted, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. The demons begged him, “If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.” And he said to them, “Go!” So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water. The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs. Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood. Matthew 8:28-34 

In this day of almost instant everything and a twenty four hour news cycle, we want all of life to be fast and cheap. This desire also shows itself in our desire to be fit in 10 minutes a day, to lose 30 pounds in a month and to stop the aging process overnight. We don't like to face the truth, that good and permanent changes only come with great time and great cost. We have to give up a great deal for good change to happen. We might be called upon to let go of our livelihood, change direction and do hard new things if we are to know true healing.

Jesus encounters two tormented, very ill men who are tortured by demons. The demons ask to be sent to the swine - and then immediately cause the death of the innocent pigs and the loss of the swineherd's livelihood. It must have caused the loss of the whole town's income as they ran Jesus off as well. The honest truth about us humans, is that we get very comfortable with our crazy people and our demons. We don't want to expend time or energy for ourselves or our communities to be made whole. Yet God invites us to know true healing - healing which raises up not one but everyone.

Today, I ask God to help me be patient and steadfast in the process of healing. May we live to care for the whole of our communities and risk all for the sake of others.