Are You Pushing Jesus Away?

May 30, 2025

Are You Pushing Jesus Away? Fear versus Faith in the Presence of Jesus

Imagine a moment when Jesus steps into your life and changes everything. What would you do? Would you beg Him to stay, eager to learn more, or would you push Him away, afraid of what His presence might cost you?

This very dilemma played out in two biblical towns. In one, a man freed from demons shared his testimony, and the people begged Jesus to leave. In another, a woman shared her encounter, and the people begged Jesus to stay.

Two encounters. Two powerful transformations. Two very different responses.

The question is: Which one are you?

The Fearful Response – The Gerasenes (Mark 5:1-20)

In Mark 5:1-20, we encounter the Gerasenes, a town that witnessed a remarkable transformation when Jesus delivered a man possessed by a legion of demons. After Jesus cast the demons into a herd of pigs, the man was healed, sitting calmly and in his right mind. Yet, instead of rejoicing or marveling at the power of Jesus, the townspeople were disturbed. They were more focused on the loss of their pigs and the unsettling presence of a man who could control demons. To them, Jesus represented a disruption to their way of life.

Their fear of the unknown and the potential consequences of this miraculous act led them to beg Jesus to leave their region. Rather than embracing the healing and deliverance He offered, they chose to push Him away. Their fear of change and the unknown overpowered their faith, causing them to miss the opportunity for transformation and the peace that only Jesus could bring.

The Faithful Response – The Samaritans (John 4:1-42)

In John 4:1-42, the Samaritan woman’s encounter with Jesus became the catalyst for a powerful transformation in her town. After speaking with Jesus at the well and recognizing Him as the Messiah, she immediately ran to share the good news with her community. Unlike the people of the Gerasenes, the Samaritans didn’t reject Jesus; they eagerly ran toward Him, eager to learn more about the man who had revealed her deepest secrets.

As Jesus stayed in their town for two days, the people listened to His words and welcomed Him with open hearts. They didn’t believe simply because of the woman’s testimony, but because they encountered Jesus for themselves. Their faith was not secondhand; it was a personal experience that led them to declare, "This is truly the Savior of the world."

Different Hearts, Different Responses

The reactions of the Gerasenes and the Samaritans highlight a striking contrast in how people respond to Jesus. The Gerasenes feared the changes His presence would bring, focusing on the material loss of their pigs rather than the spiritual gain of a transformed life. In contrast, the Samaritans saw beyond the material and embraced the spiritual gain that Jesus offered, welcoming Him with open hearts.

The key difference lies in their relationships with Jesus—while the Gerasenes kept Him at a distance, fearful of what He might disrupt, the Samaritans invited Him into their lives, eager to learn from Him and build a relationship.

Their responses reveal that when we approach Jesus with faith, we welcome His presence, understanding that He offers far more than what we might lose.

Practical Applications for Daily Victorious Living

Examine Your Response to Jesus – When God moves in your life, do you resist Him out of fear or embrace Him in faith? Be honest about what’s holding you back.
Share Your Testimony, No Matter the Response – The man in Gerasa and the woman at the well both shared their stories. Some rejected, some accepted—but the mission was the same. Don’t let fear stop you from speaking.
Seek Jesus for Yourself – The Samaritans believed, not just because of the woman’s words, but because they encountered Jesus personally. Don’t rely on secondhand faith—pursue Him daily.

One Final Thought

Jesus is always stepping into our lives, offering transformation, but He won’t force Himself upon us. We either invite Him to stay or push Him away.

Are you afraid of what Jesus might change in your life? Or are you willing to trust that what He offers is far greater than anything you might lose?

The towns made their choices. Now it’s your turn.

Experience a New Life in Jesus Christ

If you have not yet experienced the life-changing power of a relationship with Christ, we invite you to open your heart to Him today. Embrace the truth of His resurrection and embark on a journey of transformation, guided by His presence and fueled by His mission of love and redemption.

The Bible teaches us in Romans 10:9-10 that "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation."

Do it today and start enjoying a new life in Jesus Christ.

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"Are You Pushing Jesus Away? Fear versus Faith in the Presence of Jesus" is a Christian Bible Teaching presented by Second Ridge Ministries

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