dignity and respect

I noticed something interesting and kind of amazing in a very familiar story this morning. Here it is, from Mark 5:1-8: 

"They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

 "When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, 'What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!' For Jesus had said to him, 'Come out of this man, you impure spirit!'"

It’s interesting, isn’t it, that our world and Satan’s minions look to strength as the determiner of power. Yet Jesus, from a distance, dominates this powerful demon-possessed man. Jesus’ power and authority is recognized instantly and from afar.

But look what happens in the part I didn’t share, in the following verses.

Jesus asked the demon its name. Even this mortal enemy was not “other-ized,” or lumped in with all of his kind. Jesus wanted to know who he was dealing with; he gave the basic respect of knowing the other as an individual.

Jesus also listened to the demon's request. Instead of banishing Legion, he sent the demon into a herd of pigs. He didn’t have to, he chose to be merciful. To a demon.

It’s a sobering example; if Jesus can treat demons that way, then how he must shudder when I refuse to see other image-bearers as individuals, and to hear them out. I’m reminded that one of the most basic requirements of Christianity is to treat everyone, even our enemies, with dignity and respect.