"And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him." (Mark 5:1718)

After Jesus showed amazing mercy upon the poor Gadarene possessed with devils, we see two drastically different reactions. Before reading this remember, these are reactions to the MERCY of God not His wrath.

After Jesus helped this man, the townspeople rejected Jesus and wanted Him to leave their coasts. This man had been nuisance to the whole area. They had tried to bind the man and control him. Jesus not only helped the man but He solved their problem. But what was their reaction? "Go away!"

On the other hand, the man who was once out of control is now desiring only to be with Jesus. He has seen the mercy of God on himself and desires only to be close to the One who gave it to him.

So how do you respond to mercy? Do you act like the townspeople or the man?

Do you want to be with Jesus all the time or is He an inconvenience for you?

How is it in your church?

Does the congregation respond like the townspeople and not give space for repentance? Don't forget, to reject one whom God has shown mercy is to reject Jesus as well! Don't kick Jesus out of the church when He changes someone!

If you are currently experiencing the amazing grace and mercy of God, don't quench the spirit. Go tell others what great things God has done for you.

If you have felt the mercy of God before in your life, why not renew your devotion to Him today? Go to church and fellowship with the rest of us wild Gadarenes!