Mark
5:1-20
“…the man who had been
possessed by demons begged him that he might be with
him. But Jesus refused, and
said to him, ‘Go home to your
friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for
you, and what mercy he has shown you.’”
(Mark
5:18b-19)
It seems altogether reasonable that this man who had been
delivered by Jesus would want to follow him.
Simple gratitude would motivate allegiance. Anger within the community for the
destruction of what may have been their livelihood in the loss of the herd of
pigs may have motivated him to leave. Perhaps the stigma of what might today be
called “mental illness,” seemed too much to overcome given all the stories that
had likely been told about him. One can
understand his desire to leave.
But Jesus wouldn't allow it. The NRSV says somewhat
coldly that Jesus refused him. Again,
wouldn’t the compassionate Christ welcome this man to join him? Perhaps the compassion of Christ was at work
in his refusal. By sending the man back
home he was offering the opportunity to reclaim relationship with friends and
family. Jesus was also giving him an
opportunity to bear witness to the mercy God had shown him. Faith isn’t a hedge against the world, but
rather an open door that welcomes others in Jesus’ name. Jesus’ charge to the man is appropriate for
us today…“Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for
you.”
Prayer: Help me, dear Lord, to have courage to tell what
you have done for me. Amen.
Jim Abernathy
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