Go Ye Therefore

Mark 5:19 - 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.”

As delivered and redeemed children of God, it is our responsibility to become disciples and proclaim the name of Jesus, to tell all what great things He has done for us. For some He has done amazingly miraculous deliverance; for others He has seemingly quietly changed their lives. In either case, Jesus has set us free from the burden of sin and guilt; we are new in Christ. It is the change in us that is seen which matters.

The scripture above was referencing an unnamed man Jesus and His disciples came across. This man lived a horrific life in the mountains living among tombs. He was demon-filled, quite vocal, uncontrollable, unable to be confined and often cut himself with stones. Demon possessed.

When Jesus appeared the man, because of the absolute power of the Lord, fell at His feet. The man, more likely the demons, cried out to Him not to torment him. We are reminded that even the demons tremble at God (John 2:19). This man had no control whatsoever over his own body.

I think about the day when He returns and we all will be able to see Him. Some day every knee will bow and tongue confess Jesus is Lord (Romans 14:11). Not one person will be able to stand in His presence. All will bow before Him. I pray my bowing will be graciously, without force.

Here Jesus merely appeared and the demons shuddered. This was not just one demon but many, as was pointed out when he gave Jesus his name of Legion. Legion: regiment, according to Strong's Concordance and can be 6,000 in number or more! Imagine being utterly controlled by that amount of force.  But the power of God was and still is greater than any amount of demons...if we choose Jesus...and confess His name. Those demons knew what they were up against and it seems they believed if they could be transferred from this man to another being, in this case 2,000 swine, they might have a chance to at least survive.

Little did these demons know the reaction of the swine. When they entered the swine they barreled down the side of a cliff into the sea (of Galilee). This man, set free from the power of those demons, wanted to be part of Jesus' entourage. Who wouldn't? But Jesus said no, instead telling him to spread the news of what happened to him, how the Lord had compassion on him and healed him. People were able to see the difference in this man. There was no doubt he had been delivered by a greater Power than those demons. Think about this: These demons indwelled him. When we know Jesus, He indwells us...this Man whose power is so much greater.

Imagine all the people who have been in addiction for anything. Imagine even those people who are so distressed they, too, cut themselves. Addiction of any kind is a form of possession, obsession. It is not normal; it does not come from God but from satan. In some cases might even be called demon possession. Our enemy is a demon.

Imagine also someone who has been set free of an (or many) addictions. Imagine the change that takes place. The life that is changed. The freedom experienced. The exaltation. True deliverance comes through an encounter with Jesus Christ. There are many programs available for the addict but not one has the same healing power of Christ. The physical part might be cleaned up but not the spiritual. Without the spiritual healing possession can return.

We may never be filled with a legion of demons but we are still sin-filled and in need of a Deliverer. We are all as filthy rags in the eyes of God until we receive the Christ who takes away the sins of the world. We all start this life dead to our sins. We all start life on equal footing. We will not all end our lives on equal footing in Christ, however. Some will cling to their old man...and even their demons.

We are called, whether demon possessed or just finally aware of our sinful spiritual condition, to proclaim the great things the Lord has done for us and His compassion for us. When people can see the difference they too might take this Jesus seriously. But it is up to us to do as this man: proclaim all that Jesus had done for him so that all will marvel.

Lord God, I ask that You renew this spirit in me that I might proclaim the wondrous things You have done. I thank You for Your compassion toward me, for gently wooing me into Your presence, for setting me free and opening my heart, eyes, mind and ears to all You are. Thank You for Your Word of truth and encouragement and comfort...words that are just as relevant today as they were back in the days when they were first written or spoken. Your words bring life to all who cling to them. Praise You!

As our pastor, Terry Fischer of The Church in Wisconsin, pointed out on Sunday, Jesus is the Word made flesh. Jesus made the word something more than you hear, but something you see. Jesus may not physically be walking on the earth today, but He is walking this earth in [those who have been delivered by Him]. So saints of God, let the message you preach be more than words, but let it be a message that is seen.

Matthew 28:19-20 - Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”Amen.

Good Word

Matthew 28:19-20 - Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.

As Christians we are all called to evangelism, as Jesus commanded above. If we do not evangelize, we are not obedient to God's Word. Ouch. Does that strike a bit of conviction or anger? Do we ask, who me? Do we say adamantly, we are not taught this in our church? Or do we proclaim our own version of doing the right thing by saying I do plenty for the church.

The end of John 13 talks about a new commandment...that we love one another as Jesus has loved us and that we share this love with others so that all will know we are His disciples. A new command: love...and disciple others. That commandment addresses the issue of loving others and sharin Jesus so that they will also receive the blessing and salvation that only He provides.

But I don't like doing that. As Christians we are all called to do so. As the days grow more difficult our world will be in greater need of a hope that is bigger than any one man or any government or world power.

Sunday at the Superstition Foothills Baptist Church, Pastor Nathan Heller, new to the congregation, spoke a powerful word about evangelism.

If we truly walk with the Lord we should have no fear of death. Jesus is by our side. He has gone on ahead of us about 2,000 years ago to prepare a place for those who call Him their Savior. There's the point: we must go through Him. No other man, no other thing will get us there.

Pastor Nathan brought up the true story of a family in Tucson who called him to speak with their ailing father. They could not break through to him. He had not given His life to Jesus. Could he help? When he spoke with the man he rattled off all the different churches he had attended, all the money he had given them, how he worked in various ways for these churches...and when he got to heaven he would tell God all about what he did.

Pastor Nathan said he was so wrapped up in what he'd done he could not hear him speak. He wouldn't listen. Without first giving our lives to Christ, there is no hope for heaven.

In John 14 Thomas listened as Jesus talked about His leaving and preparing a place for them. Jesus told them that where He would be, there they would also be...and where He would go they knew and they knew the way. Thomas voiced what could very well have been the unspoken thoughts of the others: we do not know where You are going and how can we know the way? Remember, Thomas doubted again later when he needed to touch Jesus' scarred hands. Aren't there times we all doubt? We doubt even the Word of God and its commands.

Jesus said to him: I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (verse 6). He is the only way to heaven. He...not things. We are to lift our eyes up and seek God for the answers. He will hear and respond to a heart that is sincere. The time to do that is now before we have to answer to God. Better to be on our faces before Him now than to fall before Him later when we think we will be able to justify our lives to Him.

Whenever Jesus said "I am" He proclaimed He was God. I am the way, the truth and the life...No religion, no church, no human...nothing, but through Him. Let that sink in. It's the absolute truth. The only truth relying on. All other things, works, church beliefs are nothing. Only Jesus is the way. And we must seek Him, invite Him into our lives, trust in Him for all things. It's all about Him.

Awhile later the son called Pastor again and requested he try once more and again the old man rattled off all the things he had done. And a third time he was called to meet with him; the doctors said he would not last the night; they would give him a shot to control his pain but there was very little chance he would awaken. Pastor Nathan met with him again. He told him it was time to ask Jesus to become his Savior. The man's answer was: When I awake we'll discuss it. End of story.

The time is now. We do not know what tomorrow holds. We do not even know what this day and night hold. I know that I called on the name of the Lord and was saved. I know that there is a lost and dying world at our doorsteps. I know that there are many who don't hold to the truth of accepting Jesus by faith only. I know there are many who think they'll never be good enough. Well guess what, none of us, no matter how good we think we are, are good enough. No matter how we believe our church is the right one...it's about a one on One relationship with Christ and that's it! It's about giving up all we think is right and good and humbling ourselves before an all powerful God and giving of ourselves to only Him.

It is our responsibility as Romans 10:14 tells us: How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? We have a responsibility as Christ followers to let people know. Plant seeds that can be watered and that God can nurture and grow. Am I planting any seeds here?!

Romans 10:13 (Joel 2:32) - For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."