Read Matthew 8
You would think everyone in the NFL would welcome Tim Tebow. The son of missionaries is helping to finance an orphanage in the Philippines and has a squeaky-clean image. That should be a welcome contrast in the National Football League where far too many players have been in trouble with the law and fined for inappropriate behavior.
But a segment of NFL representatives, players, and commentators have not hidden their ill-will toward Tebow. They predicted he wouldn’t even be drafted (he was drafted in the first round by the Denver Broncos), that he would be an ineffective player (after being inserted into the starting lineup two months ago he’s led Denver from the bottom to the top of their division). But skeptics still scoff at his skill level and predict (and seem to hope for) his ultimate demise.
There is something about Tebow’s practice of briefly kneeling in prayer after a touchdown and boldly giving God glory in post-game interviews that galls non-believers more than taunting celebrations or defiant behavior.
There is an incident in Matthew 8, which sheds some light on the hostile reaction some people have to any open display of faith in Christ. Two demon-possessed men had terrorized the region of Gadara for years. Everything about them was spooky. They lived in the cemetery and slept in caves. They had super-human strength and often screamed out in the darkness as they ran naked through the tombs.
They posed such a threat to the local residents that at one time a courageous posse had captured and chained them so they would no longer terrorize the area. But the two were so demonically strong they broke the chains. Then their scarred bodies were even more grotesque and their threats even more intimidating. Matthew tells us, “They were so violent that no one could pass that way.”
One evening Jesus landed in Gadara and the two wild creatures came racing down out of the tombs and bellowed, “What do you want with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us?” When the demons sensed that Jesus was going to exorcise them they begged permission to enter a nearby herd of pigs. The request was granted, “and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.”
Matthew reports, “The whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him…” Now, wouldn’t you expect the next phrase to read, “They fell on their knees in gratitude”? After all, the two demon-possessed men were healed! The formerly violent region was now safe! Little children could play in the area without fear and travelers didn’t need armed escorts any more!
But instead the verse reads, “They pleaded with him to leave their region.” Why didn’t they want Jesus in their area anymore? Because Jesus was a threat to their economic stability and he made them uncomfortable. Jesus was disturbing! A local farmer had lost a herd of pigs! Life wasn’t the same, so they begged him to leave the region. And he did.
That’s the same reason some people are hostile toward Jesus’ followers today. In spite of the fact that He casts out the demons of addictions and conquers the terrors of the cemetery, some people only see Jesus as a threat to their way of life. They’re comfortable with their sinful habits, bulging pocketbooks, and arrogant thinking and they’d just as soon Jesus would leave them alone.
In recent years Jesus has been driven from government schools, nativity scenes have been removed from public property, and history books have been rewritten to conceal His influence on our culture. So we should not be surprised that an outspoken believer like Tim Tebow is the target of ridicule. The presence of Jesus and his representatives has always disturbed some people.
Jesus wasn’t surprised when he wasn’t welcome and he cautioned us not to be surprised either. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Mat 5:11-12).
P.S. Let’s pray for Tim Tebow! May he inspire boldness in the rest of us!
** If you are enjoying this study through the book of Matthew with Bob Russell, be sure to check out Bob’s “Falling In Love With Jesus Again” Bible Study DVD and resources for your small group or church.
