Mark 5:18-20 (NLT)
When Jesus got back into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go, too. But Jesus said, ‘No, go home to your friends, and tell them what wonderful things the Lord has done for you and how merciful He has been.’ So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to tell everyone about the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.”
In Mark 5 we have the amazing story of a man who was possessed by a “legion” of demons. They tore apart his life and body as they led him into very destructive behaviors. But Jesus saw his need and his potential for a healthy productive life, so He cast out the demons, setting the man free. Praise God.
This man was so grateful to Jesus that he wanted to go “on the road” with Him. But Jesus told him to “go home” and share his story with his friends. From a human perspective, one might think that Jesus had really missed a great promotional tool for the Kingdom of God. What a sensational testimony this man could have shared with the masses that Jesus would attract along the way! But the Lord Jesus had a different missionary plan for him – “Go home to your friends.”
Perhaps many of us would rather share our story in church where it seems safer than out there in the “real” world. Do you have family, friends and work associates in your everyday life who don’t know the freeing power of Jesus? Clearly the Lord has placed you in their lives for a Kingdom purpose – to tell them the “wonderful things the Lord has done for you.” You may have not been set free from demonic possession, but you do have a unique story to tell — yours! And when we tell our stories, we need to include “how merciful” the Lord has been. Jesus’ mercy is a very attractive quality to people who live in a world that is often merciless. The man in this story experienced very positive results when he obeyed instructions. I’m sure we will too.
Lord, help me tell my friends and family the wonderful things you have done for me. Amen.
Dialog discuss: They should care so much about you that they refuse to let you allow yourself to stay the same. Prov 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron.” We have gotten to the point where if we are all equally dull we are all equally sharp, because we are afraid of the risks it takes to get sharpened, so we avoid it by avoiding showing people who we really are. Sean Brereton, student at the University of South Carolina.
What kind of friend are you? What kind of risks do you take? What kind of risks do you allow in friendships?