Over-Blessed

Scripture – Matthew 8:31-34: ³¹The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”³²He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. ³³Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. ³⁴Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) What an interesting scene. The people tending the pigs ran into town and told everyone all that had happened. That would have included what happened with the demon-possessed men, and what happened to the pigs. The men, I assume, were healed – set free from their possession. The pigs, of course, died. The people from the town pleaded with Jesus to leave their region. Did they see the pigs as more valuable than the men?

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) Is there a dollar figure we can put on human life? I’m not sure how we do that. There are, however, a lot of people who suffer physically because they cannot afford the medical care they need. This leads me to lift my vision to our wider culture – to consider how we value people. The poor and the powerless get less care than the rich (of whom I am one). While I’m not sure what my response will be to this, I will value each person I see today as one created and loved by God. And I will remind myself they are more important than any thing in life.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, this leads me into some uncomfortable areas. I don’t really want to get involved. Yet you have blessed me so much with wonderful and affordable medical care, how can I ignore those who don’t have that? Show me your way in this. At least, keep this issue alive in my mind and heart. Don’t let me just sweep it under the rug. Thank you for what you’ve given me.