Intimidated by His Power, Blinded to His Love

“When [the people] came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear.” Luke 8:35-37a NIV

What is it that the people were so afraid of? Hadn’t Jesus done a good thing?
      I believe they were intimidated by His power. They feared Him because He demonstrated the power to cast out demons. The demons were powerful and scary themselves, but to think that one man could control such terrifying creatures must’ve been even more frightening to them. They didn’t want such a man in their presence.
      People get like that now. They see that God has the power to control all (things that they can’t even go near) and are struck with fear, so they decide to have nothing to do with Him.
      Sadly, their fear keeps them from seeing that God doesn’t want to control us. He uses His power to protect and heal.
      They can’t see past His power to His love. That’s why it’s important for us to share the story of what God has done in our lives. God wants to show others the truth through us.
      The man who had the demons cast out of him wanted to go with Jesus. He begged to, but Jesus told him, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you” (v. 39). The man obeyed and shared his testimony “all over town” (v. 39).
      Are you sharing your story and helping people see God’s true character rather than their misconceptions?
      If not, then why? Doesn’t He deserve to be cherished for all that He’s done instead of pushed away?