Why Jesus Asked the Healed Man to Stay in the Gadarenes

Jesus had just rescued His disciples from a fearsome storm.

Yet they still feared Him, wondering "What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him!" (Luke 8: 25)

They saw Jesus as a man, not a Savior.

They did not see Him as someone who keep them safe, either.

Then Jesus healed a demon-possessed man:

"34When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country. 35Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid." Luke 8:34-35)

Now, the disciples started to see Jesus as having great power, and power to do good for us!

They trusted him, but those who did not see what good things Jesus was doing, would still be afraid.

Notice that the people of the Gadarenes were very fearful of Jesus.

This man beat out the demons inside of that possessed man. Who knows what else he would do?

They had no knowledge, no relationship with Jesus, to see that His heart is nothing but love and grace for us.

They then asked him to depart from their city!

Can you imagine that?!

Then the healed man asked to go with Jesus. What did He tell him to do?

"Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him." (Luke 8:39)

The inhabitants of the Gadarenes needed to hear the good news from the person who has healed. They needed to see the heart of Jesus, that He cares for us, that He is interesting in saving us, and to continue saving us!

Most of us still believe that Jesus will heal a part of broken condition, but He will not take care of every part. He will not condemn us ever!

"For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. (Isaiah 54:9)

and

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." (Isaiah 54:17)

and also

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus," (Romans 8:1)

Jesus asked the healed man, who had been possessed with devils, to stay and share what Jesus had done for him. so that everyone could see that Jesus not only had power, but that His power was to heal, forgive, and save!