When Healing is “Too” Costly

Scripture:

“Then all the people… asked Jesus to leave them.” (Luke 8:37)
“Many of the priests became obedient to the faith.” (Acts 6:7)

This is one of the saddest turns in Luke’s Gospel: a man is restored, and the town asks Jesus to leave. Why? Luke says they were afraid. And underneath that fear is cost—economic loss, disrupted normalcy, spiritual discomfort. Mercy is not always tidy. Sometimes it’s expensive. Sometimes it rearranges a community’s priorities.

Luke is not subtle here. He forces the reader to ask: what do we do when liberation disrupts our systems? Do we celebrate the restored person, or do we grieve what it costs us? It’s a question every church faces sooner or later—because real ministry with real outsiders will eventually inconvenience the insiders.

The second half of Luke’s story, the Book of Acts, shows the church wrestling with similar realities. Inclusion creates tension. Growth creates needs. Justice requires reallocation. The Spirit’s work is wonderful—and disruptive. Some respond with open hands. Others resist. Sometimes even religious leaders come around (Acts 6:7), which is Luke’s way of saying: insiders can change too.

So this devotional is for our fear. Fear of losing control. Fear of people we don’t understand. Fear of what it will cost to love. Luke doesn’t shame the fear; he exposes its consequences: a community can miss Jesus even while watching a miracle.

We all have “pigs” we’d rather not lose—comfort, predictability, reputation, money, control, our sense of “us.” Luke gently but firmly asks: would you rather keep your pigs, or keep Jesus?

Application

• Identify what you fear losing if you love outsiders well (time, money, comfort, control). Name it honestly.
• Practice one “costly mercy” step this week—one thing that is inconvenient but loving.
• Pray for a church posture that says, “Stay, Jesus,” even when it’s disruptive.

PrayerLord Jesus, forgive me for the ways I prefer comfort over compassion. When mercy costs, strengthen my courage. When fear rises, give me love. Teach me to welcome your presence even when it rearranges my priorities. Amen.

Song: “Man in the Mirror” (Joyful Noise)