"You can't follow Jesus"
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. But Jesus said, "No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been." So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them. (Mark 5:18-20 NLT)
This is the first account that I know of where Jesus does not let someone follow him when explicitly asked. This man is overwhelmed by what Jesus has done for him & his response is to go with him. Seems like a natural response. But Jesus has other plans.
I expect Jesus to take this man under his wing & begin a 15 week discipleship program with him but this is not his plan. Jesus tells him to go home & tell his friends & family all that the Lord has done for him.
He doesn't need a seminary degree.
He doesn't need formal training.
All he needs is a story about how Jesus changed his life. All he needs are relationships. He has both. And off he goes.
Jesus spent a few minutes here before being asked to leave. (He did cost the farmers their livestock.) But when he returns, there is a crowd of 4,000 people waiting on him. How did he make an impact that quickly? How did all of these people hear about him?
The Bible doesn't say but it must be this man. Can you imagine the scene when he walks into his hometown after all these years away living in isolation & violence? What were their first words to him? Surely they were, "What happened to you?" The short answer: Jesus happened to him. And I can imagine that as news spread about Jesus' activity in this one man's life, they couldn't help but wonder if God could do the same for them.
One man. God used one man to change a multitude. This is the power of one man changed by a genuine encounter with Jesus.
Have we experienced this decisive change? Are we holed up with Jesus somewhere rather than going back to our friends & family with the good news of what Jesus has done for us & what he can do for them? Do we have a story? Do we have friends & family? If so, we have all we need to share the gospel. Where can we start?
Are we really going to allow a demon possessed man to outdo us?
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