When inner bonds fall

The land of the Gerasenes lay on the eastern shore of the Sea of ​​Galilee. When Jesus got out of the boat, he met a man who was clearly not in control of himself. He lived there among the tombs and gravestones of a cemetery. No one had been able to subdue him. No one was strong enough to deal with him. Day and night he roamed about, shouting loudly and hitting himself with stones. “But when he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran up to him and fell down before him, crying out with a loud voice, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you by God, do not torture me!’” (Mk 5,6-7).

He was insane and self-harming. Although this man was in a terrible state, Jesus loved him, was moved with compassion for him, and commanded the evil spirits to leave, which they did. This led to the man getting dressed because he was now of sound mind and could return home. Jesus had restored all his losses. “When he got into the boat, the one who had previously been possessed begged him to let him stay with him. But Jesus would not allow it, but said to him, ‘Go home to your family and tell them all the great things the Lord has done for you, and how he has had compassion on you.’” (Mk 5,18-19)The man's answer is very interesting. Because of what Jesus had done for him, he asked Jesus if he could go and follow him. Jesus didn't allow it; he had another plan for him and said, "Go home to your own people. Tell them the story of what the Lord did and how he had mercy on you."

This man had recognized who Jesus was, even though it had initially come about through a demonic confession. He had experienced Jesus' work of salvation and purification and knew that he was the recipient of God's saving mercy. He went and told people what Jesus had done. He became the talk of the town for a long time, and many heard about Jesus for the first time through him. David had experienced something similar and writes in his own words in the Psalms: "Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." (Ps 103,2-5).

It doesn't matter what state you are in; it doesn't matter what you lost in this life. Jesus loves you as you are now, not as you want to be. He is moved with compassion and can and will restore you. In His mercy He has given us life instead of death, faith instead of suspicion, hope and healing instead of despair and destruction. Jesus offers you so much more than you can imagine. Eventually, God will wipe away all tears from our eyes. There will be no more suffering or loss or death or sorrow. What a day of joy this will be.

by Barry Robinson