Observation: In the story where Jesus casts a 'legion' of demons from a man and sends them into a herd of pigs, we see this exchange. The demons have acknowledged who Jesus is - the son of God - and declared they fear him. Jesus is commanding them to leave the man, and as part of that exchange they ask Jesus for a favor. They wish to enter the herd of pigs, and not just be cast out. In fact, it says they "begged" for this option.
This exchange yields two interesting facts. First, the demons pled with Jesus for a specific course of action. They acknowledged that they were so at the command and mercy of Jesus that their destination upon leaving the man was not theirs to decide, but was in the hands of Jesus himself. They were forced and compelled to go wherever Jesus sent them, and they wanted this outcome involving the pigs. Second, and perhaps most shocking ... Jesus agreed! In interacting with evil demons, Jesus listened to their begging and pleading, and instead of having an aggressive attitude of punishment that would reject their requests out-of-hand, Jesus says 'okay' and permits the demons to have the outcome they begged for.
What happens next, with the mass death of the pigs, is the consequence of the demons' request. The point is, Jesus listens to the requests of even evil spirits, and allows their request.
Application: I continue to see so much evil in the world around me, and Jesus might have an interesting response to this evil. He won't condone it or allow it, but he would have mercy on the evil doers. If they asked for a certain outcome, he might even just grant it ... even though the end result for them would still be death.
Jesus does allow people to choose death. Even when he shows himself as the son of God, and the evil entities in the world acknowledge him as such, they can still decide to reject his correction, and beg for an outcome and direction in life that will lead to certain destruction, and Jesus will grant it.
I see people all around, openly declaring their allegiance to sin and evil, and even making appeals that such related actions would be created as a place where they could live. While over and over I pray for the end and correction of such things, surely the Lord will instead say 'okay' and allow people to make their choice. Destruction will be the outcome, and their pleas for a certain kind of life will end in death.
Prayer: Lord, your mercy is so great that it extends even to demons. I know I sin. Please forgive my sin and have your spirit dwell within me more strongly so I may repent of such sin. I do not desire a depraved life, but rather a life with you, Jesus. As for others, in your mercy and wisdom you will listen to their pleas and do what is best. Amen.
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