Scripture passage: Mark 5: 19, 19 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.”
In Mark 5 we read about how Jesus heals a demon possessed man. So when he was healed and transformed he went to Decapolis and proclaimed what the Lord had done for him. He was possessed by Legion. On being healed he wanted to follow Jesus. This is the first time that after being healed Jesus asks the person to go home and tell what He had to others. The man who was possessed by many demons, one day came back home fully transformed and healed. A house, a family. and the whole village bore witness to the magnificence and grace of God. Let us see the condition he was in before Jesus heals him.
1.The man used to live among the graves: An ordinary man will not like to sit in a graveyard even during the daytime. But we read that this man used to live in a graveyard. Graveyard is home for the dead and not the living. James 2: 26, 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. Similarly we can see that the Holy Spirit was dead in him, instead he was possessed by demons/evil spirits.
Saul was jealous of the rise in fame and popularity of the boy, David. I Samuel 18: 8- 9, 8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. then we read, in 1 Samuel 18:10, 10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul.He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. The worldly desires make man captive to sin and temptations, as a result the Holy spirit leaves him/her. Holy spirit does not and cannot reside in an impure heart and soul. If man is to be a temple for the Lord, he/she needs to be cleansed and pure of all impurities.
Let us introspect and see which all evils have made a residence inside us. Love of power? Jealousy? Sexual desires?Sexual Immorality? Adultery? Drugs? Evil desires is the mother of sin and the devil is the father. Hence when you follow or becomes slaves of desire you do his bidding. John 8:44,For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.
2. Mark 3: 3-5,3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. Each child of God is given yardsticks of the Ten Commandments to follow and observe in his/her life. Those who do not observe them or follow them reach a dead end like the legion possessed man. When we become captives by the devil we lose self control and are unable to be controlled or guided by others. We forget the way to our own home. Eg: The prodigal son, Luke 15:11, The younger son desiring freedom and independence from his father’s care and love, goes away from the protection of his father. He wanders aimlessly among several graveyards(World desires) and jungles(temptations). He became addict to sin and could stoop down no further. When he regained his senses, he remembered the happy life he led with his father. He repented and returned to his father. We do not read that the father forgave him. Because the father was filled with love and there was no place for his son’d mistake or transgressions. The relationship was broken only by the son and not by the father.
A word of caution to all those who seek freedom and independence from the chains of love at one’s home. Your loved ones and friends and the time you spend with them is limited. Make the best use of the time you have with them. The gates of your home and the eyes of the loved ones wait for you with open arms with unconditional love.
How are our homes? Like travelling in a bus?? Travelling together but not connected to each other? Not bothered or care about others in family? Each person has their own aims and preferences?? You can get down or climb on whenever you want?? There is no one to ask…. There is relation in homes. The absence of one person creates a void in the family. The Lord also says the same to the man, to be a good example to his family and his village.
3.He used to cut himself with stones: While working, a small bruise or cut can cause immense plain to us. And here was a man who was hurting himself with stones, unbelievable!!. Dead bodies are sent for post mortem where they are cut and studied. It does not hurt them as they are not living. He too was like a living dead, no feeling. If we hurt ourselves or if others hurt, the place for healing is our home. Return to your homes today. Days are fleeting by fast, you cannot hold them together and cannot get them back. And we do not know if we have a tomorrow.
There is a reverse side to this. If we are hurt at our homes, where do we go to for healing?? Those who go out looking for healing and relief away from home are later unable to return back even if they want to. Man names buildings according to the purpose it serves like temple, school, office, beverage shop, mall, etc. A home is where we live with our parents, siblings, children, and share our joys and sorrows together. A home is where we love each other, respect each other and forgive each other.
What the Lord Jesus said to the legion possessed is what He is saying to each one of us. Be a good example to your family/home. The best school for any person is their own home. Let us begin our lessons from our homes. May the Lord bless and prepare each of us for the lessons.
Jehovah Roi 