As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
Pastor Terry Reilley
Creekside Church (Martinez)
What a story! Great drama, complete deliverance as a self-destructive man is unchained then changed by an encounter with Jesus! Could Hollywood do any better than God’s Word? If you casually read this story, you may think “what does this have to do with me?” Yes, there are some distinct differences:
- This man lived among the tombs…you don’t.
- This man was suicidal…hopefully you’re not!
- Men and chains couldn’t contain him…probably not true about you.
This is a picture of every person wherever the enemy is at work to control one’s life. The ultimate outcomes will be the same, bondage and pain. But we, like the demoniac, have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness and into the Kingdom of light. From this story, we see not only the implications of this address change for the delivered man but for each of us today.
Once we experience freedom in Christ, we see that few are called to travel with Jesus but all are called to go home with Jesus. Can’t you see this guy grabbing Jesus’ boat and yelling, “Lord, take me with You! Man, with these chains, scars and my testimony, we’ll pack out services!” It can be exciting to “go” somewhere and tell our story. But Jesus says, “step back from the boat…go home.” Jesus is so practical and always leads us to the starting place for ministry: our home and family, the person in the next cubicle, that rascal of a neighbor! Friends, each of us has a story…a great story of God’s amazing grace! Don’t look for some place out there but re-enter your relational orbit to show and tell of the great things Christ has done! That is where making a difference starts. You watch, you wait, you’ll see!
Jesus, thank you for Your grace and my story. Amen.
Great invitation to see myself as the demoniac – never considered it. Great challenge – not to go to where the show will play well, but to the place I live – to the place I have already been sent, to “re-enter my relational orbit.” How is re-entering your relational orbit – going home with Jesus a challenge in your life? For me it is letting my love of Jesus be revealed in authentic – rather than forced/unnatural – ways where I have established relations.
Hi Art! Isn’t it the place where true ministry meets the rubber on the road…a home or where our relatonships are close…the place where we have to be not simply say and do? Thanks bro…have a blessed day!