Have Your Chains Been Broken

Mark 5:18-20  As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with Him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

These verses are at the end of the verses that tell about this man who had been demon possessed for many years and was living in the tombs. He was bound often by chains, but had grown to be too strong for chains anymore. This reminds me of the people I have seen on drugs. They seem to have a super-human strength, and it is difficult even for the police to handle them.

Anyway, this man, even in his worst state of mind, KNEW who Jesus was. Well, the demons IN him knew Jesus. I find it very interesting that the demons wanted to be sent into a herd of pigs, rather than being “cast out of” the man they were possessing. I am pretty sure it was for the benefit of all of the towns people, not their own.

The other thing that struck me in these verses, is that the man REALLY wanted to go with and follow Jesus. Which wasn’t an unusual request by those that had been healed by Him. What struck me, was that this time, Jesus didn’t tell him NOT to tell anyone, but instead to go home to his people and spread what God had done. Can you imagine?!?! We all have “that one family member” that is just a bit ‘off’ – right? How would you react and respond if at the next family gathering, they were NOT sticking out like a sore thumb? If every conversation they had was filled with blessing towards God and what the Lord had done blessing them with mercy? If they truly were “in their right mind”? Wouldn’t you be amazed? Wouldn’t this person have a greater ministry for Jesus, by “showing” the example of what God had done? You betch-ya!!

Now, today, in your life – how has the Lord changed you? Where did you come from? What did you used to be like? Do people you live and work with now, know anything about the “old you”? First, pray and thank God for rescuing you from your past. Then go through the ABC’s and thank Him for something He has done and or changed in you that begins with each letter. Now, pray and ask Him to reveal the right people and places and timing, to share some of these things with someone else. He may or may not provide someone across your path today – that’s ok – just be ready for when He does bring them your way! I’m praying for you and your day – be well, be safe, and be blessed!!