Most people seem to be driven by the desire to go up, to rise in popularity, money and power as quickly as possible. The trip down was clearly not all that attractive to Jesus closest followers - or people in general. People wanted to be healed and all and wanted their citizens demon-free. After all, troubled neighbours are disturbing and affect property values. But when someone tells you they’re going down - and there’s going to be pain for everyone - that’s not a great recruitment strategy. Jesus’ pronouncement that people who tried to save their lives - would lose their souls? Not popular! It all seemed so… humiliating!