Mensa Otabil - A Man On a Mission
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Well, this week we’ve been looking at the story of a man who was demon-possessed and had a legion of demons whom Jesus delivered. It’s been a fascinating story and a study examining the process of deliverance that God brought to the man’s life. We now conclude with Mark chapter 5, verses 18 and 19:
«When he got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged him that he might be with him. However, Jesus did not permit him but said to him, 'Go home to your friends and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you and how he has had compassion on you.'»
Having accomplished his purpose and assignment, Jesus is now heading home. Of course, the people also want him to leave, so he’s departing the community. Jesus steps back into the boat he came on to leave, and the man who had received this transformation and a touch from heaven wanted to go with Jesus. He wanted to be with Jesus. If Jesus had been such a blessing to you, you’d likely want to be with him. Probably, he wanted to be with Jesus because he was afraid that if Jesus left, the demons would come back to harass him. He wanted to be close to Jesus, and Jesus helped the man understand that the demons were not coming back; he was free, and God had set him free. There would be no relapse in his situation.
Jesus told him three things. First, Jesus said, «Go home to your friends.» Jesus told him to go home, go to society, and be part of his community. Go and be reintegrated! Don’t run away from people; go out there and be with your friends. You are okay; you can mix with people; you can live among people. Sometimes, when God delivers a person, there is a stigma, and Jesus didn’t want this man to carry a stigma of abnormality. He said, «Go home; be with your friends; you are okay.»
The second thing Jesus told him was to tell his friends the great things God has done for him. Jesus saw something unique in this man’s experience; although he started off from a wild background, something transformative had happened to him. Jesus said to go and tell people about this transformation in his life. Tell them of the mighty work God has done for him. Jesus commissioned this man to be a disciple and not only a disciple but also a preacher of the good news of God’s love.
The third thing Jesus told him was to tell them about God’s compassion. Basically, Jesus is saying, «Tell them that what God has done for you, he can do for them.» They may not be in the same state you were in, but whatever state they are in, God’s compassion is not limited to you but extends to them as well. This man is to go to his friends, tell them what has happened to him, and tell them what God can do for them. In essence, that is what all preaching does: preaching is going to your people, people you know, telling them what God has done for you and what God will do for them as well.
This man is to go to his friends, tell them what has happened to him, and tell them what God can do for them. In essence, that is what all preaching does: preaching is going to your people, people you know, telling them what God has done for you and what God will do for them as well. Jesus trusted this man, who had just stepped out of a bad situation with the preaching of the gospel. Later, the scripture says he went around the ten communities surrounding him, preaching the gospel. People marveled, and later when Jesus returned to the same region, they were ready for him because they saw the testimony of this man. They heard his words and were ready to welcome Jesus. The last time, they wanted him gone, but later they welcomed him back into the community. That is what your story can do for the world. God has done something great for you; go and tell people about it. Share the gospel and the good news of God’s deliverance.
Let’s pray. Say with me: «Heavenly Father, I give myself to you. Take me and use me for your glory. In Jesus' name, amen and amen.»