-November 10, 2023-
Good morning beloved, happy Friday,
“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.’ And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.”
(Mark 5:19-20).
Jesus performed many miracles and healed so many people. In Mark 5:1-20 we have the story of the demon-possessed man in the land of the Gadarenes, also called Gerasenes. Like all without Christ, his life was out of control; he was demon possessed with seven demons. He was helpless, hapless, and hopeless. He was uncontrollable. He lived among the tombs. People tried to subdue him with chains, but because of the power of the demons, he broke them off with his bare hands. He used to even cut himself with stones.
He came up to Jesus and our Savior cast out the demons, saved his soul, and changed his life. Mark 5:15 says, “Then they (those who fed the swine) 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.” His life was radically changed and he became a follower of Christ.
This newly saved man wanted to be with Jesus, but Jesus had another plan for him. Jesus told 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.” He had a new life, a new purpose, and a new mission. We have the same mission today: to proclaim Christ to our family, friends, and people who know us. He went obediently to the Lord and spread the Word all over Decapolis which was really a region of ten cities. Everyone saw the difference in his life and marveled.
This man was one of the first missionaries. We as believers are all missionaries where God has placed us among those who know us, the old version and the new. All of us have a personal testimony of how we got saved and how the Lord changed our lives. After His resurrection and before His ascension, Jesus sent forth His disciples with the instructions, “But you receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Are we willing to fulfill the Great Commission to the world? It is a huge task and a great responsibility. Unfortunately, in many ways we see instead the great omission. We fail to testify and witness to those who are lost around us. May the Lord give us the desire, courage, and opportunities to share our faith with more people wherever God has placed us.
Have a blessed day with the Lord, bearing His precious, personal, and powerful gospel message. Stay safe and healthy.
Letting our light shine wherever we are, whether it’s near or whether it’s far; telling others of Jesus, and pointing the way, sharing our faith every day,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 