THEN JESUS CAME!

“Clothed and in his right mind.”                                             Mk 5:15 NKJV

One of Christ’s greatest miracles was the healing of a man who was controlled and tortured by evil spirits (See v. 2 NKJV). The Bible says: “His dwelling [was] among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains…neither could anyone tame him …always, night and day, he was…crying out and cutting himself with stones” (vv. 3-5 NKJV). Notice four things about this man’s condition: (1) He kept hurting himself. Now, he used stones to do it, but some of us use drugs, food, sex, alcohol, overwork and negativity. What are you doing today that’s hurting you? Until you can acknowledge it, you won’t get free of it. (2) He was preoccupied with death. Why else would someone choose to live in a graveyard? Life’s troubles can bring you to the place where you lose your very desire to live. (3) He had no peace, day or night. The downside of godless living is restlessness, irritability and discontent. Nothing satisfies or is ever enough. (4) He lived in isolation. Satan’s job is made easier when you don’t have a spiritual support system. Fellowship wrecks his plans.

Then Jesus came! He made a boat trip across storm-tossed Galilee to get to this man. Just one word from Jesus, and we read: “They…saw the one who had been demon-possessed…sitting…clothed and in his right mind.” Out of gratitude the man wanted to join Jesus’ disciples. But Jesus told him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you” (v. 19 NKJV). When Christ sets you free, your first responsibility is to stay free and help set others free.

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