Tell Them What Wonderful Things God Has Done For You

Mark 5:18-20 -  So he got back into the boat. The man who had been possessed by the demons begged Jesus to let him go along.  But Jesus said no. “Go home to your friends,” he told him, “and tell them what wonderful things God 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 they were awestruck by his story.

 

Jesus had transformed this man possessed by many demons. When he encountered Jesus he was a mad man who terrorized the town…who roamed the graveyard of the town…so strong he could break any shackle the town tried to secure him with.  After Jesus cast out the demons within him he became a calm man who sat at Jesus feet…fully sane and begging to go with Jesus everywhere he went. 

 

The town was frightened by the whole process…perhaps because of the huge herd of swine that had been destroyed in the process. So Jesus made ready to go back across the lake…making sure to  tell the man clearly that he needed to stay…to go home and testify to his friends. He needed to share the story of what Jesus had done for him….of his mercy and love. And the man did exactly that….awing those that listened in the ten towns he was given to testify.

 

It is a reminder that we all have a story to share.  Some are as dramatic and life changing as this man…others are simple conversions that span our lives from childhood.  Some of us that already knew Jesus deepened our faith and trust in times of great need. Others have spent their whole lives trusting and holding His hand daily to build respect and love for all people everywhere.

 

Jesus calls some of us to go to other places with Him.  These missionaries go throughout the world and preach and teach the gospel to fulfill the promise of God that everyone would hear before His return. But most of us he simply calls to share the story of what he did for us with our friends and family …right where we live. We wrongly assume that someone else has told the person we encounter each day about God…and sometimes even drive people away from God’s love when we let our anger over a situation wrongly model the love we profess to have for all.

 

Father…thank you for the reminder that I am called to share the story of what you have done for me everywhere I go.  Forgive me for the times that I have kept the wonder of your life changing love to myself…assuming that someone else will share you with those I encounter each day.  Help me to look beyond the person I meet and see the heart of those that need you the most. Give me a new boldness to share the story of what you have done for me with all the people you allow me to meet.  Amen.