One of the strangest miracles we see in the Bible is the exorcism of demons which causes a herd of pigs to rush into the sea and drown. Other than the cursing of the fruitless fig tree, this is the only miracle of Jesus’ where we see property destroyed (even though it was the demons who actually caused the destruction).
Jesus’ miracles were almost all done in a way that directly benefited people. Even in this case, we find that it was the healing of two people that led to the destruction of the property. The miracles Jesus performed were done to show that He was God. Jesus said on a number of occasions something along the lines of: “If you don’t believe that I am God for any other reason, then believe in Me because of the signs & miracles I do.” Of course, Jesus could’ve shown His divine power and nature through miracles such as making water run uphill or by constantly levitating as he travelled or by causing the sun to rise in the west and set in the east. But instead, Jesus chose to show His divinity by blessing people – because of His great compassion.
To this “testimony of His compassion,” someone might argue – “But these pig farmers lost their property!” True, but what we learn from this loss is that God puts a very small value on temporary earthly property compared to the value of people.
The problem is that the men in that city did not have the mind of Christ. They could not see that the healing of these two men was more important than the money their pigs would bring them. “The cure of two men… was of far more consequence than the amount of property destroyed. To restore a deranged man… would be an act for which property could not compensate and which could not be measured in value by earthly means.” We might not can relate to a herd of 2000 pigs, but what about a house? That’s property. Is the value of your house greater than the value of the spiritual health of another person?
Too often I find that I am like the men who lost their property – caring more for stuff than for people.
What if you had lost that property?
Could you have celebrated that two of your neighbors were made well?
Do you love your neighbor as yourself?
Or would you have been angry at Jesus?
It is so easy for us to value property over people.
To value our stuff over their needs.
I’m so glad Jesus doesn’t.
Aren’t you?
Quote from Albert Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament