Expensive Healing
One time, Jesus let demons go into pigs when He cast them out. That bugs me.
(See this story in Matt. 8:28-9:1; Mark 5:1-21; and Luke 8:26-40.)
The demons begged Him (Matt. 8:31). They recognized that He had the power in this situation. He casts demons out with a word (Matt. 8:16). In this case, the word was "Go" (Matt. 8:32).
Why did Jesus let demons drown a herd of pigs?
It wasn't a good PR move. The people in the city did not appreciate the dip in their GDP. Jesus was shut out of that region because He let the demons have the pigs (Matt. 8:34).
Why did Jesus let the demons have the pigs?
It's not hard to get on board when something is free.
If Jesus is healing people and casting out demons at Peter's house tonight, I'm going to text somebody who could use healing. I might even call somebody.
If Jesus is multiplying food, I'll be there. Free food, right?
But what if the cost for two souls to be bought from the power of darkness is so high I could retire on it?
The answer from that city is pretty clear: "If the cost of delivering two naked graveyard guys is a large herd of pigs, we will take zero healed graveyard guys, please. Please leave, and please don't fix anything else."
Sometimes, what God does is expensive. In some cases, we can tell why. For example, Jesus' life was of infinite value, and He gave it up so He could buy our deliverance from sin. My life was not worth as much as His, but His life was the price on the sticker, so He paid it.
In some cases, God and His work are expensive without an obvious reason. Why did Jesus heal a blind guy in two stages instead of one (Mark 8:22-26)? It could have taken only one touch, but He took two.
Why was Jesus happy that a lady poured expensive perfume on His head instead of feeding the poor (Matt. 26:6-13)? That's downright uneconomical. Judas's response: "If the cost to worship one incarnate God Almighty and prepare His body for death is a lifetime investment, I will take zero worshiped Lords, please."
Could it be that some things are expensive because they're worth it?
(See this story in Matt. 8:28-9:1; Mark 5:1-21; and Luke 8:26-40.)
The demons begged Him (Matt. 8:31). They recognized that He had the power in this situation. He casts demons out with a word (Matt. 8:16). In this case, the word was "Go" (Matt. 8:32).
Why did Jesus let demons drown a herd of pigs?
It wasn't a good PR move. The people in the city did not appreciate the dip in their GDP. Jesus was shut out of that region because He let the demons have the pigs (Matt. 8:34).
Why did Jesus let the demons have the pigs?
Option 1: Jesus hates pigs.
Jesus invented pigs. They're very good. Jesus does not hate pigs.
Option 2: Jesus doesn't want people to eat pigs, and these were being raised for food.
I don't think this is what's going on. God doesn't have a problem with people eating unclean animals (Acts 10:9-16), though He did instruct Jews not to. But this was a Gentile region, not Jewish, so that's not a problem here.
Option 3: Jesus had to.
Jesus didn't have to let the demons go into the pigs. The Legion didn't overwhelm Him. They were begging, not commanding.
Option 4: Jesus was saying something about the worth of two enslaved souls.
I think this is along the right lines.
Jesus invented pigs. They're very good. Jesus does not hate pigs.
Option 2: Jesus doesn't want people to eat pigs, and these were being raised for food.
I don't think this is what's going on. God doesn't have a problem with people eating unclean animals (Acts 10:9-16), though He did instruct Jews not to. But this was a Gentile region, not Jewish, so that's not a problem here.
Option 3: Jesus had to.
Jesus didn't have to let the demons go into the pigs. The Legion didn't overwhelm Him. They were begging, not commanding.
Option 4: Jesus was saying something about the worth of two enslaved souls.
I think this is along the right lines.
It's not hard to get on board when something is free.
If Jesus is healing people and casting out demons at Peter's house tonight, I'm going to text somebody who could use healing. I might even call somebody.
If Jesus is multiplying food, I'll be there. Free food, right?
But what if the cost for two souls to be bought from the power of darkness is so high I could retire on it?
"I just got these pigs appraised. Every one of them is worth at least 1/4 of a naked graveyard guy. Jesus didn't even try to bargain with the demons!"
Sometimes, what God does is expensive. In some cases, we can tell why. For example, Jesus' life was of infinite value, and He gave it up so He could buy our deliverance from sin. My life was not worth as much as His, but His life was the price on the sticker, so He paid it.
In some cases, God and His work are expensive without an obvious reason. Why did Jesus heal a blind guy in two stages instead of one (Mark 8:22-26)? It could have taken only one touch, but He took two.
Why was Jesus happy that a lady poured expensive perfume on His head instead of feeding the poor (Matt. 26:6-13)? That's downright uneconomical. Judas's response: "If the cost to worship one incarnate God Almighty and prepare His body for death is a lifetime investment, I will take zero worshiped Lords, please."
Could it be that some things are expensive because they're worth it?
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