Men marveled as they listened to the wondrous news. They became interested and anxious to have part in this kingdom of which Jesus taught. Nothing could have awakened the people of this country so thoroughly as did this occurrence happening in their midst. They had only cared for the advantages of the world, and had thought little of their eternal interests. Jesus cared much more for their real good than they did themselves. He had permitted the devil’s request to be granted, and the result was the destruction of their property. This loss raised the indignation of the people, and brought Jesus directly before the public notice. Although they entreated him to depart from them, they nevertheless saw and heard the men whom he had healed. When these persons, who had been the terror of the community, became the messengers of truth and taught the salvation of Jesus, they wielded a powerful influence to convince the people of that region that Jesus was the Son of God. {2SP 316.1}

Menneskene forundrede sig, da de lyttede til de underfulde nyheder. De blev interesserede og længtes efter at få del i det rige, som Jesus forkyndte. Intet kunne have vækket folkets interesse i disse egne så grundig som denne begivenhed, der forefaldt midt iblandt dem. De havde omsorg for deres fordel i denne verden, men havde næppe tænkt på deres evigheds sag. Jesus sørgede meget mere for deres sande vel, end de selv gjorde. Han opfyldte djævlens bøn, og følgen deraf var, at folkenes ejendom blev ødelagt. Dette tab vakte deres vrede, og derved blev den almindelige opmærksomhed henvendt på Jesus. Selvom de bad ham om at forlade dem, så hørte de alligevel de mennesker, som han havde helbredt. Da disse mænd, som havde været en forfærdelse for deres medmennesker, forkyndte sandheden og lære frelsen i Kristus, fik de stor indflydelse og underviste folket på disse egne om, at Jesus var Guds Søn.