One striking thing about this episode of the driving out of the Gadarene (or Gerasene) demoniacs is how Jesus deals with the demoniacs themselves. While they caused so much harm on the person possessed, Jesus grants their request that they be allowed to enter into the herd of swine rather than simply being cast out. While their “destiny” is practically the same (dying with the pigs), we cannot but feel the “compassion” of Jesus towards them.

This makes us realize that even when confronting or dealing with evil, Jesus remains the compassionate Lord that he is. He deals with evil not purely out of anger or wrath or vengeance, but in order to stop the harm and to allow the good to prevail, so as to foster peace and well-being. Which should make us think about the way we confront people for their evil deeds: do we also show the same compassion, or do we simply or utterly unleash our wrath, with the intention to simply destroy them?

While we, indeed, need to confront evils in the world, we ought to do so without neglecting respect for human rights and dignity, giving a chance for people to repent or change. It is something which we also want to be given to us if we also fall or stumble.

Seek good and not evil, that you may live; Then truly will the Lord, the God of hosts, be with you as you claim! Hate evil and love good, and let justice prevail at the gate; Then it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will have pity on the remnant of Joseph. I hate, I spurn your feasts, says the Lord, I take no pleasure in your solemnities; Your cereal offerings I will not accept, nor consider your stall-fed peace offerings. Away with your noisy songs! I will not listen to the melodies of your harps. But if you would offer me burnt offerings, then let justice surge like water, and goodness like an unfailing stream.

“To the upright I will show the saving power of God.”

When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him. They were so savage that no one could travel by that road. They cried out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?” Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding. The demons pleaded with him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.”

And he said to them, “Go then!” They came out and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea where they drowned. The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district.