Also, don’t expect people to understand or applaud your efforts. The people in the town asked Jesus to leave after the pigs went high diving. Matthew recounts two demon-possessed men in the region. In the parallel verses in Luke 8:26-39, Luke focuses on just one of the two men. (Wycliffe Bible Commentary 28). In Luke, we see this man wanting to follows Jesus. Jesus requests that he stay in the area and let everyone know what happened. The other man may have run away, along with his testimony to Jesus’ power. But this man loves and appreciates what the Lord did for him. This is similar to when Jesus healed the 10 lepers, and only 1 returned to thank Him.
People will have either gratitude or fear when spiritual warfare takes place. Don’t fret. Serve God and seek His wisdom to do what needs to be done. Do it to please Him and Him alone. Leave the results to Him. The war is won; just be faithful to Him in each time you go to battle.
We will continue to examine Jesus' encounters in Matthew in the weeks to come. Hope you are having a lovely summer!