1/30/17 Heb 11:32-40 Mk 5:1-20

I could talk about this gospel passage all day.  But to spare  my keyboard and the people reading this, I won't.
First thing Jesus and his crew pull up and this possessed man comes out of the catacombs.  You know he's crazy because nobody dwells with dead people and he's probably got shackles  and chains dragging on him.  He comes running to Jesus and throws himself to the ground.  Quick tangent: these demons in this guy threw themselves at Jesus' feet and begged for mercy!  Yet so often I think while receiving communion it looks as though its the most boring thing we have to do all week!  (but Christ revealed something else to me this AM so I won't go there...yet)

Second thing is Jesus cures this man that has been tormented by demons and thus has been tormenting the town he lives in.  You'd think they would be so joyful!  But the towns people freak out and ask Jesus to leave!  Another quick tangent:  I've seen people that are supposedly faithful people but as soon as they see some awesome things happening they freak out, why?  Because then they might have to change too.  These towns people had learned to live with their demonic friend.  They got used to him.  Just like we can get used to our sin, it grows on us, maybe we don't even notice it because it dwells in a dead part of our heart.  That's why people freak out when change is required, they don't want to stop sinning or they don't even consider it sin.

Third and most personal.  When I felt the call to conversion and I let Jesus clean out my demons I wanted to follow him to the ends of the earth.  Maybe become a public speaker, start a radio station, come up with some new religious order, or buy a time-share at the Vatican.  Just like this dude wanted to follow Jesus wherever he was going.  But Jesus told him to stay there and proclaim to all his family what pity the Lord showed him and the mercy he gave him.  And that is what started to change peoples hearts.  This is what God calls some of us ranchers to do.  To witness to our family, friends, and neighbors.  It might not look fancy or seem to be as grand as curing a cripple person in India, but it's where Jesus can use me to bring others to Christ.

 Peace Brothers, Keep Witnessing to Christ in the everyday!