A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

The man in this passage had a very hard life. We have each probably had a tough experience in life too, if we have lived long enough. I went through an experience of unemployment almost 20 years ago. I work hard and it was a strange situation. I wrestled with why God would allow the events to unfold the way they did back then. A few takeaways I learned were: 1) God cares more about the condition of my heart than about my occupation, and 2) God is always faithful to provide for his children.

Fast-forward, I was recently in a situation of unemployment, along with some other challenges. I believe this allowed me to use the lessons I learned during my first unemployment experience. This time, I did not pull out of ministry or break away from my habits of spiritual discipline. I trusted God through it to provide, and he has been faithful to provide time and again.

How do I support ministries like TruthBursts and Back the Blue Idaho when I am unemployed? I didn’t know how it would work, but God did. His people stepped up and gave us money to sustain these ministries. They gave us their skills and time to allow me to focus more on building a new business. His church came around us and gave us a big hug. Not everyone was helpful, there were those who made the experience harder, at times. But overall, we saw the incredible hand of God as a huge blessing in our lives. Knowing God was faithful in the first experience with unemployment set up a better heart to follow God in the second unemployment, and God gets more glory! Amen!

Some understanding is on the surface, some is deeper and takes more time to dig up.

I have read this story many times, and it always perplexed me why Jesus sent the demons into the pigs. I now think it was to demonstrate a few things.

First, the incredible love and value he placed on the demon-possessed Strongman’s life. He valued him more than any relationship or influence he could have had with the townspeople. He valued him more than two thousand pigs. His life was more important than much of the income of the town. For a man who had been cursed, hated, laughed at, made a spectacle of, and chained up like an animal … this must have come as quite a shock!

I imagine this man must have wondered why he had to experience all of the challenges and heartache he did. Sure, he made mistakes, but so did other people. And they were not demon-possessed. What was his life really worth anymore?

We see this Strongman’s response to his freedom through Jesus Christ — life surrender and a desire to follow him and, finally, true obedience. The love of Jesus Christ is an overwhelming flood that takes out the bitterness, anger, and heartache we have experienced and replaces it with a joy unspeakable!

Have you surrendered your life to Jesus Christ? If not, today is the best day to do it and be freed from the chains of sin this world uses to keep us down.

Jesus also wanted to call out and showcase the corrupt hearts of some of the townsfolk. Instead of being happy for this freed man, they really didn’t care about his life. They cared more about their income. This is evidenced by them kicking Jesus out of town.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬)

Jesus is the Word made flesh (John 1), and here he divided between the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. The demon-possessed man turned out to be the righteous one in the end. And the elite, look-good-on-the-outside, wealthy farmers were those who were found out to be heartless.

What I love about Jesus is that he is always pulling for us, especially for the underdog, the outcast, and the broken. I guess I love this because I was one of those and he loved me!

Lord, thank you for showing us that everyone is valued in your eyes and worth so much! You just want to see us restored to right relationship with you. You loved the demon-possessed Strongman, an outcast… and you love me too.