Jesus crashed the regional economy of Gergesa in order to restore dignity and provide spiritual healing to one outcast man. Jesus valued the alleviating of one man’s spiritual and physical suffering over the area’s economy.
We can read about this encounter in Mark 5:1-20. After sailing across the Sea of Galilee, Jesus is approached by a demon possessed man. The man was isolated and living in tombs. No one could keep him bound. Even chains could not hold him. Night and day the man cut himself with sharp stones and cried out. When he saw Jesus a ways off, he ran and fell before him. The demons within the man cried out loudly saying, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion, he replied, for we are many.” The demons begged Jesus to send them into a nearby herd of about two thousand pigs. Jesus gave them permission to enter the pigs, then they ran down a steep bank into the sea and were drowned.
Those who were tending the pigs ran to the town and told the people what happened. When the town’s people came to see what was going on, they saw the man in his right mind. Instead of being happy that the man was made well, they began to plead with Jesus to leave their region for fear of his power, and for fear of more financial loss. Jesus valued one man more than much property. This is the Jesus I love.