When inner bonds fall

717 when inner bonds fallThe land of the Gerasenes was on the east shore of the Sea of ​​Galilee. As Jesus got out of the boat, he met a man who was obviously not master of himself. He lived there between burial caves and tombstones of a cemetery. Nobody had been able to tame him. Nobody 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 afar off, he ran and fell down before him and cried out loudly, saying, 'What have I to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the Most High God? I swear to God: Don't torment me!" (Mark 5,6-7).

He was crazy and self-harming. Although this man was in a terrible condition, Jesus loved him, was moved with compassion for him, and commanded the evil spirits to go, which they did. This resulted in the man getting dressed because he was now sane and could now return home. Jesus had restored all his losses. «As he got into the boat, he, who was previously possessed, asked to stay with him. But he would not let him, but said to him, "Go into your house to your own people and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you and how he has had compassion on you" (Mark 5,18-19). This man's answer is very interesting. Because of what Jesus had done for him, he begged Jesus to go with him and follow him. Jesus wouldn'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 come to know who Jesus was, even if it was originally through a demonic confession. He had experienced his salvation and cleansing work, and knew that he was the recipient of God's saving mercy. He went and told the people what Jesus had done. He was the talk of the town for a long time and many heard about Jesus for the first time along the way. David had experienced the same thing and wrote in his words in the Psalms: «Praise the Lord, my soul, and do not forget what good he has done for you: he who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from ruin who crowns you with grace and mercy, who makes your mouth happy and you grow young like an eagle" (Psalm 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