Change always means adjusting to what’s uncomfortable. All change, even for the good, is upsetting.
It is a big responsibility to be well. There is a story in the New Testament where Jesus heals a man possessed by a legion of demons who, when facing expulsion by Jesus, ask to be sent into a herd of 2,000 pigs. Jesus grants their request and the whole herd rushes headlong into the sea and drowns. You might think the town would be happy to be rid of this menacing madman, but that’s not the case.
“A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, but they were frightened when they saw the man who had been demon possessed, for he was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane. Those who had seen what happened to the man and to the pigs told everyone about it, and the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.” (Mark 5:15-17)
Although at first it sounds odd that they would want Jesus to go away after healing someone, I don’t have to think very far past my own dysfunctions to understand this. The demon-possessed guy belongs in the graveyard, screaming, breaking his chains, and terrorizing the neighborhood, and the pigs belong on the hillside gently grazing. This is definitely a codependent town, comfortable with its accepted blend of sickness and tranquility.
Until Jesus comes and messes everything up. Jesus is threatening to everything we hold dear, especially the things that are bad for us.
We received a new board game over Christmas called “DysFUNction.” It’s a game centered on telling the most dysfunctional stories on your family and friends. The funniest and most dysfunctional stories gain the most points, and points are rewarded by receive more baggage. The person with the most baggage wins. Now what does that tell you about being dysfunctional if someone can create a game around it? The comment on the outside of the box say it all: “The only condition to play is the human condition.” This is obviously everybody’s problem.
He can make us well, you know, but it’s going to mean change. You and I have to decide if we want that. Do you want to get rid of the raving lunatic in the graveyard of your life, or would you prefer to keep things as they are and send Jesus away? You can’t have it both ways.
This story has taught me that it’s going to cost something to have Jesus in my life. If I’ve been thinking I can just coast along with my dysfunctions (after all everyone’s human), and keep Jesus around, I’ve got another thing coming.
John Fischer The Catch 
ouch!
As usual, great analogy John. Another reason for the townspeople’s fear/anger directed toward Jesus probably has to do with THE issue that consumes our society today – money. More than likely the pigs that drowned provided food and/or revenue for the town. Seeing them all suddenly disappear was probably not a welcome sight to many of the town folks. An alternate lesson is that to many, if not most, people EVERYTHING comes down to money – how you get it, how you keep it and how you spend it. I believe this is one angle that defines the current issue relative to gay marriage – why heterosexual married couples have access to health/insurance benefits and gay couples don’t. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that this issue has risen to the level of attention it has today at the same time healthcare for everyone has too. Unfortunately, money drives our society today in an increasingly predatory way. It’s another example of the timelessness of Jesus’ teachings; he talked more about money than most anything else 2,000 years ago. It’s still a pretty relevant topic today.
When our dark side is so much a part of us, (me) being free form the things that bind us feels wrong. This is a tough lesson today.
I had a preacher once tell me we are not nearly as free as we think we are.
I think we have Stockholm syndrome when it comes to what you are talking about.
Now there’s a thought-provoker! I am also intriguesd with Steve’s take on the story.