Mark 4 & 5: Accustomed to the Darkness?

 While reading these chapters in Mark, I keep thinking about the "demoniac" who lived among the tombs, broke the shackles meant to subdue him, and ran around screaming while cutting himself with stones. Mark 5:1-20

This poor man was possessed by Legion (many demons).  With great compassion and authority, Jesus commanded the demons to leave him.  Miraculously, the man was set free, yet the people living in the area urged Jesus to leave.

Why would the people want Jesus to leave? 

Could it be that they had become accustomed to the darkness around them?

Where they afraid that Jesus would remove the darkness within them that they held on to?

There is darkness in this world and sadly darkness within some of us.  Are we so accustomed to the darkness around us that once it is removed, we become fearful?  And, is our fear rooted in the fact that darkness lives within us? Is fear stimulated because the darkness has become a comfort for our tormented souls?

May truth and love fill us and displace any darkness in and around us.  May His Grace empower us to see and understand and let it go.  In the great and awesome Name of Jesus, AMEN!!!