"Leave!"

"Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighborhood."

(Mark 5:17)

We humans tend to like what we know. We resist change. We take the familiar one the unfamiliar six days a week (and twice on Sundays)!

There's a story in the gospel of Mark where Jesus heals a man who had severe psychological problems... including split personality disorder (most likely). He lived "among the tombs" and could not be restrained by any chains or shackles. He was literally a danger to himself and others. Until he met Jesus... who restored him to his right mind.

You'd think the town would rejoice with this man's newfound health. NOPE. They freaked out! "They were very afraid," says Mark, "and they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighborhood." Wow, really!?!? Think about all the other good they could have received if they'd have warmly welcomed Jesus. Nope. They'd rather stick with what they knew... than potentially change for the better.

At first, it sounds strange to us. Why wouldn't someone want Jesus to stick around? And yet, how often are WE unwilling to change ourselves? Even our self-destructive or addictive habits... sometimes we're more comfortable with what we know instead of risking change - even positive and healthy change. That's not good.