Jesus, I am in no hurry as I wait here in your presence and seek to hear your voice.
“Just as Jesus was getting out of the boat, a man with an unclean spirit came from the tombs and met him. He lived among the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For his hands and feet had often been bound with chains and shackles, but he had torn the chains apart and broken the shackles in pieces. No one was strong enough to subdue him…..For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of that man, you unclean spirit!”…. people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man sitting there, clothed and in his right mind….Jesus did not permit him to do so. Instead, he said to him, “Go to your home and to your people and tell them what the Lord has done for you, that he had mercy on you.” So he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him, and all were amazed.” (Excerpts from the story found in Mark 5:1-20)
The verses above are part of the passages in Mark’s Gospel about a demon possessed man in chains . I read through the story of the demoniac again this morning and these last two verses in the story stood out to me. They tie in with and build upon my posts this week reflecting on serving with Kairos in prisons. The cause of Christ and are calling to bear witness to the world the truth of Jesus.
The man in the story was broken and controlled by, and identified by the evil inside of him. When he encountered Jesus, he was free of all that bound him, he was no longer recognized by those who knew him by his past, and given an amazing new life and future. Jesus then told him to tell his family and friends what He did for him.
When all of us encountered Jesus we were in some form of brokenness and bondage, and when we did Jesus set us free as well. In the same way as the demoniac in the story in Mark, we are called to share with others what Jesus has done for us. Paul tells us, “Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.” (1 Timothy 4:16) We all have a testimony to share. When we share it with someone wether we are in prison or our place of work, those listening to it always have one question they want to hear an answer to, “What difference does my relationship with Jesus make in my life?” They want to hear the tangible truth of who Jesus is to you and in you, how it affects the way to live today, and how that truth then can be applied to them.
When you came to Christ and were baptized the Holy Spirit fell upon you and you were filled with his presence and power. Your filling with the Holy Spirit has a purpose, a “Because” by God and that is, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; “ (Isaiah 61:1-2)
My family, I pray today you will share what Jesus has done for you in your home, and then to the people you encounter today. I pray over you Paul’s words, “Pray for me also, that I may be given the message when I begin to speak - that I may confidently make known the mystery of the gospel…Pray that I may be able to speak boldly as I ought to speak. “ (1 Corithians 6: 19-20) Please pray the same for me, God bless you my friends!!
Please share your reflections and prayers in the comment box below.
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