In Mark 5, we read about Jesus casting a legion of demons out of a man. What an incredible sight that must have been. What a great display of the Lord’s power! You would think that everyone in the area would be amazed and thankful. After all, the demon-possessed man had been a danger and an uncontrollable menace. Yet, when the townspeople saw the man healed, their response wasn’t awe and gratitude. Mark 5:15 says, “And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.” In short order, they began begging Jesus to leave.
Why were they so terrified? Perhaps it’s that when confronted with divine power, it causes mortals to be afraid. And it should. We should fear God—but that fear should motivate us to faithfulness and reverence, so that we might find comfort and security in the Almighty God.