MH page 98

Far different is the feeling of the restored demoniacs. They desire the companionship of their Deliverer. In His presence they feel secure from the demons that have tormented their lives and wasted their manhood. As Jesus is about to enter the boat they keep close to His side, kneel at His feet, and beg to remain near Him, where they may listen to His words. But Jesus bids them go home and tell what great things the Lord has done for them.

Saved individuals desire the presence of their Deliverer and receive a mission to share their experience. This paragraph highlights the personal desire of the restored men to stay with Jesus and His commission for them.

Here is a work for them to do—to go to a heathen home and tell of the blessings they have received from Jesus. It is hard for them to be separated from the Saviour. Great difficulties will beset them in association with their heathen countrymen. And their long isolation from society seems to have disqualified them for this work. But as soon as He points out their duty, they are ready to obey.

Duty and service are to be embraced despite difficult circumstances and personal limitations. This paragraph discusses the challenges of returning to a heathen home and the prompt obedience of the restored men.

Not only did they tell their own households and neighbors about Jesus, but they went throughout Decapolis, everywhere declaring His power to save and describing how He had freed them from the demons.

Witnessing for Christ involves publicly sharing personal deliverance and His power to save. This paragraph describes the active ministry and testimony of the former demoniacs throughout the region.

Though the people of Gergesa had not received Jesus, He did not leave them to the darkness they had chosen. When they bade Him depart from them, they had not heard His words. They were ignorant of that which they were rejecting. Therefore He sent the light to them, and by those to whom they would not refuse to listen.

God persists in reaching people even when they initially reject spiritual light. This paragraph discusses divine grace, persistence, and spiritual illumination without making any empirical assertions.

In causing the destruction of the swine, it was Satan's purpose to turn the people away from the Saviour and prevent the preaching of the gospel in that region. But this very occurrence roused the country as nothing else could have done, and directed attention to Christ. Though the Saviour Himself departed, the men whom He had healed remained as witnesses to His power. Those who had been mediums of the prince of darkness became channels of light, messengers of the Son of God. When Jesus returned to Decapolis, the people flocked about Him, and for three days thousands from all the surrounding country heard the message of salvation.

Personal testimonies of healing and transformation can draw public attention and openness to spiritual teaching. The text recounts a biblical narrative about healed demoniacs serving as witnesses, without empirical medical or scientific claims.