Mark 5:1-20
Jesus had just freed the man from a life of hopeless misery and futility. He had cast out of him the demon called Legion and given him back the opportunity for a normal life. When Jesus was preparing to leave, the man began begging Him to let him go with Him. (Wouldn’t you want to go with Him?) Jesus did not allow him to come but instructed him to do something which was quite different from what He had told others whom He had healed. He told him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” And the man went off and did just that! Wonderful!
Now, some might think this comparison unfair, but let’s consider it. If Jesus told you, a Christian, to tell others what great things He has done for you, what would you tell? You might counter that this man had received an incredible gift from Jesus by having his life given back to him. He was dominated by demons, was unable to function as God created him to function, and was regularly harming himself. And I would counter by saying, “And, what’s your point?”
Are not people who are not in Christ under the power of the devil? Well? Are not people who are outside of Christ under the power of sin and doing things which God did not create them to do? Well? Are not those who are not being led by the Spirit continually hurting themselves through such things as lying, laziness, addictions, greed, lust, selfishness, anxieties, outbursts of anger, misuse of the tongue, lack of self control, etc.? Well?
Many people have an impaired view of salvation. For them, salvation means rescue from the fire for a future full of hymn singing. Paul writes (Galatians 5:1): “It was for freedom that Christ set us free;” - Freedom from the power of sin; freedom from guilt; freedom from law; freedom from the power of the devil; freedom from death. We are free in Christ to be what God designed us to be - like Him. So, what great things will you tell that Jesus has done for you?