Mensa Otabil - A Man In His Right Mind
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Mark chapter 5, verses 14 and 15. So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. They went out to see what it was that had happened. Then they came to Jesus and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion sitting, clothed, and in his right mind, and they were afraid. So the pig farmers went out to town, probably screaming at the top of their voices about what had happened. They reported to the owners of the pigs either that the business was gone or that the pigs had run into the sea.
So everybody came to see what had happened, and they saw the man who used to be demon-possessed and had the legion, seated and in his right mind. Three things I want you to pay attention to about the condition of the man. The first is that he is sitting. When we first encounter him, he’s roaming, moving about because something was driving him, harassing him; he couldn’t sit still, and he was screaming at the top of his voice. But at this point, he is sitting; that is the extent of Christ’s deliverance. When He delivers you, you stop being harassed and roaming about, and you settle in life. The second thing you’ll notice is that he is clothed.
Apparently, he was running around naked in shame and disgrace and didn’t even feel the shame. He had been known as a spectacle of shame, but now he is a demonstration of honor and dignity. Remember, he used to go around cutting himself; he had no clothes on and was cutting himself with the stones from the lime quarry around there. But at this time, he is clothed; he’s sober, and he’s not cutting himself. Honor has returned, and dignity has returned. The third thing you’ll notice is that he is in his right mind. He’s not hearing any voices again. He’s not being driven against his wishes; he is now in control of his mental faculties. He’s making the right decisions and responses; he responds to people with honor and dignity.
Remember, the first time he met Jesus, he rushed to Jesus aggressively, but this time people came, and instead of him rushing to them aggressively as he normally would have done in previous times, he’s in his right mind. He is probably smiling at them, and they look at him and say, «This guy looks like a normal, sane person.» Jesus touched him; he is no longer afraid of the people around him, and he is a picture of whom the Son sets free. The scripture says whoever the Son sets free is free indeed.
When Jesus Christ touches you, there will be transformation in your life. No matter what the source of your harassment may be, it could be demonic or could be a personality trait, but the Holy Spirit is able to bring us to a place where we sit at the feet of Jesus, we are clothed, we have honor and dignity, and we think and reason properly. May the Lord God, the great deliverer, deliver everyone under any form of oppression, and may His power bring sobriety to each one of us in Jesus' name.
Let us pray. Say with me, «Heavenly Father, I intercede for the oppressed. Grant them freedom and inner peace in Jesus' name. Amen and amen.» Well, I’ll catch you again tomorrow. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.