Do You Fear Jesus?

I was reading this morning in Luke 8, and I came across the familiar story of the demon possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes.

This man had been through so much.  Possessed by not just one demon, but many.  When Jesus had asked the demon's name, He was told "'Legion,' he replied, because many demons had gone into him." (v.30)  These demons had really tortured the man.  For a long time his clothes were in rags and he lived in the tombs.  In fact, v. 29 tells us he was "chained hand and foot and kept under guard." Still, he often managed to escape, breaking his chains and finding solitary places to hide.

It's interesting to me that the demons recognized Jesus immediately.  When Jesus approached, the man "cried out and fell to his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, 'What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?'"  The demons recognized Jesus.  And they feared Him, begging Him not to torture them.  The demons begged Jesus to let them go into a nearby herd of pigs, and in verse 32, Jesus "gave them permission."  So the demons not only recognized Jesus, but Jesus had authority over them, giving them permission to enter the pigs.  The demons left the man, and entered the pigs.  Upon entering the pigs, the entire herd ran down a steep bank to the sea and were drowned.

Now the story gets better.  When those tending the pigs saw what happened, they ran back into town and told everyone what happened.  That's good, right!  They were witnesses to Jesus' power and authority, and they were sharing what they saw Jesus do!  But here's the kicker, found in verse 37, "Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were afraid." (v.37)

This brings two questions to mind:

1. Why were they afraid?  Maybe they didn't want to give up what they had?  Their lifestyle?  Their property?  Maybe they knew they were sinners and didn't want to give up their sinfulness or their evil desires?  Jesus has the power to save people, but they were more afraid of change than they were of the demons.
2. Why aren't we afraid today?  Because of their fear, these people had rejected Jesus.  Many people respond the same way today, but show no fear at all.  Instead, they show a mixture of arrogance and ignorance, a very dangerous combination.

I don't think people reject Jesus today because of  fear of Jesus as much as they fear what they might have to give up to follow Jesus.  Are you following Him?  Are you sold out for Him, really following Him?  Or is something still holding you back?   Jesus loves you, deeply desires to have a relationship with you, and offers you life to the fullest.  What is it you fear?