The Cost of Christ's Presence

 The Cost of Christ's Presence

Reflection on Matthew 8:28–34

In this passage from Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus enters the region of the Gadarenes and is immediately confronted by two men possessed by demons. These men are so violent that no one could pass that way. The demons, recognizing Jesus as the Son of God, plead with Him to send them into a herd of pigs rather than torment them “before the appointed time.” Jesus permits this, and the demons leave the men and enter the pigs, who then rush down the bank into the sea and perish. Astonishingly, the townspeople respond not with awe or gratitude, but with fear—they beg Jesus to leave their region.

This scene powerfully reminds us of the spiritual authority of Jesus. Even the demons recognize who He is and obey His command. The healing of the possessed men is a sign of God's kingdom breaking into a world held captive by evil. It’s a dramatic liberation, showing that no force of darkness is too strong for Christ.

However, the townspeople's reaction is striking. Instead of rejoicing that two members of their community have been set free, they are troubled by the loss of the pigs—perhaps a symbol of economic loss or disrupted comfort. Jesus, the liberator, becomes unwelcome because His presence brings change, challenges priorities, and exposes spiritual realities they may have preferred to ignore.

In our own lives, do we ever resist Christ’s presence because it challenges us? Are we more comfortable maintaining the status quo—even when it means allowing sin or brokenness to remain—rather than welcoming the transformative grace of Jesus?

Like the Gadarenes, we may sometimes fear what Jesus might “take away” from us. But the truth is, anything He removes is something that was never meant to enslave us in the first place. His presence is always healing, even when it disturbs.

Key Takeaway:
Welcoming Jesus into our lives may disrupt our comfort, but it always leads to true freedom and healing—if only we are willing to let Him in.