Chapter 6—Saved to Serve
It is morning on the Sea of Galilee. The light of the rising sun touches sea and land as with a benediction of peace. Jesus and His disciples have spent a tempestuous night on the water, but as they step upon the beach they are greeted with a sight more terrible than the storm-tossed sea. From some hiding place among the tombs two madmen rush upon them as if to tear them in pieces. Hanging about these men are parts of chains that they have broken in escaping from confinement. Their flesh is torn and bleeding. Their eyes glare out from their long, matted hair. The very likeness of humanity seems to have been blotted out. They look more like wild beasts than like men.MHH 44.1
The disciples and their companions run away in terror, but presently they notice that Jesus is not with them, and they turn to look for Him. He is standing where they left Him. He who stilled the tempest, who has met Satan before and conquered him, does not flee before demons. When the men, gnashing their teeth and foaming at the mouth, approach Him, Jesus raises that hand which has beckoned the waves to rest, and the men can come no nearer. They stand before Him, raging but helpless.MHH 44.2
With authority He commands the unclean spirits to come out of them. The unfortunate men realize that here is One who can save them from the tormenting demons. They fall at the Savior’s feet to ask for His mercy. But when their lips open, the demons speak through them, crying, “‘What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us?’” Matthew 8:29.MHH 44.3
The evil spirits are forced to release their victims, and a wonderful change comes over the demoniacs. Light shines into their minds. Their eyes beam with intelligence. Their countenances, long deformed into the image of Satan, become suddenly mild. The bloodstained hands are quiet. The men lift their voices in praise to God.MHH 45.1
Meanwhile the demons, cast out from their human habitations, have entered into a herd of swine and driven them to destruction by drowning. The keepers of the swine hurry away to spread the news, and the whole population flock to meet Jesus. The two demoniacs have been the terror of the country. Now they are clothed and in their right mind, sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to His words and glorifying the name of Him who has made them whole. But those who witness this wonderful scene do not rejoice. The loss of the swine seems to them of greater importance than the deliverance of these captives of Satan. In terror they throng about Jesus, pleading with Him to leave. And He complies, taking ship at once for the opposite shore.MHH 45.2
Far different is the feeling of the restored demoniacs. They want to be with 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 Him to remain near them so they may listen to His words. But Jesus bids them go home and tell what great things the Lord has done for them.MHH 45.3
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 Savior. Great difficulties will face them as they associate with their heathen countrymen. And their long isolation from society seems to have disqualified them for this work. But as soon as Jesus points out their duty, they are ready to obey.MHH 45.4
Not only did they tell their own households and neighbors about Jesus, they went throughout Decapolis, everywhere declaring His power to save and describing how He had freed them from the demons.MHH 45.5
Though the people of Gergesa had not received Jesus, He did not abandon them to the darkness they had chosen. When they asked Him to leave, they had not heard His words. They did not know what they were rejecting. Therefore He sent the light to them by those to whom they would not refuse to listen.MHH 45.6
In causing the destruction of the swine, it was Satan’s purpose to turn the people away from the Savior 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 Savior 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 later returned to Decapolis, the people flocked about Him, and for three days thousands from all the surrounding country heard the message of salvation.MHH 45.7
The two restored demoniacs were the first missionaries whom Christ sent to teach the gospel in the region of Decapolis. These men had listened to His words for a short time only. Not one sermon from His lips had fallen upon their ears. They could not instruct the people as the disciples who had been with Christ daily were able to do. But they could tell what they knew—what they themselves had seen, and heard, and felt of the Savior’s power. This is what everyone can do whose heart has been touched by the grace of God. This is the witness for which our Lord calls, and for want of which the world is perishing.MHH 46.1
The gospel is to be presented not as a lifeless theory but as a living force to change the life. God would have His servants bear testimony to the fact that through His grace all may possess Christlikeness of character and rejoice in the assurance of His great love. He would have us bear testimony to the fact that He cannot be satisfied until all who will accept salvation are reclaimed and reinstated in their holy privileges as His sons and daughters.MHH 46.2
He freely accepts even those whose course has been most offensive to Him. When they repent, He imparts to them His divine Spirit and sends them forth into the camp of the disloyal to proclaim His mercy. Souls who have been degraded into instruments of Satan are still, through the power of Christ, transformed into messengers of righteousness and are sent forth to tell how great things the Lord has done for them and has had compassion on them.MHH 46.3