Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear.
Luke 8:37

Jesus had just performed a great miracle by casting many demons out of a wild man. The man was instantly seated in his right mind, and everyone there saw what had happened. What would we assume everyone would be excited and want to see Jesus. But no! They wanted Him to go away! Why? Because “they were seized with great fear!”

What kind of fear was this? It was an awareness that Jesus was unlike anything they had ever encountered! Unbelievers want nothing to do with Jesus, who is Almighty God!

Contrast that with (v.38):

“Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him.”

Those who have received His loving and gracious touch, unlike those who are afraid and want Jesus to go away, want nothing more than to “be with Him.”

May we who know the Lord and have received His marvelous grace long to be with Him!