September 3  |  Mark 5:17

Read - Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

Examine - Jesus had just cast out the Legion of demons from the local, crazy strong-man and instead of worship being the reaction of the crowd, their response was fear of their financial state. Yes, 2,000 pigs were harmed in the making of this story, but anyone who demonstrated the power and authority that Jesus had just shown should dominate the headlines, reaction and mood. As it turns out, the cost of 2,000 pigs was just too much to keep Jesus around.

Apply - There is a cost to being a disciple of Jesus; a cost to being rescued from an eternity spent without Him.  I would like to believe that cost is nothing compared to the joy of knowing Christ, but for some, the financial, relational or habitual cost is just too great to follow hard after Jesus.  What in my life is more important than following Jesus? It is a question we need to ask ourselves on a regular basis.

Pray - Father, show me the areas of my life that I elevate at the risk of putting you to the side. I might never use the words, "leave town," but I can functionally do the same thing by placing other idols in front of you. For the people of the Gerasenes it was money. Reveal to me the areas where I am lacking so that your Spirit might align them to your desires, O Lord. Examine my heart Lord, and make it like yours. Continue the Spirit's work of making me more like Christ.