When was the last time you told someone about Jesus?
In Mark 5 we read this amazing story of a man possessed by demons. This man’s life was in ruins and he had been banished from his family and community and was living in a cemetery.
One day this man encounters Jesus, who has compassion for him and heals him. The man is so grateful that he begged to go with Jesus. But Jesus says no, and in verse 19 Jesus instructs him to return to his family and tell them what has happened.
Jesus not only healed this man from torment He freed the man from a desolate lonely life. This man faced a life of affliction every day and now that he has been healed he desperately wants to be with Jesus, to follow Him and spend time with Him.
Whenever we have a transforming experience of God, when we come to know Him or experience His healing power it is understandable that we want to be with Him. We want to stay close to that amazing feeling.
I know that when I have experienced God in a deep and personal way I don’t want the experience to end! These are moments that we cherish, moments that we long for. These moments build our faith and strengthen us.
So why does Jesus refuse this man and tell him to go back to his family? Why would Jesus do that? Here is a devoted man who wants to be with Jesus yet He turns him away. Doesn’t Jesus want us to be devoted and close with Him?
Of course He does! God wants us to stay close and follow Him but He also wants us to take the opportunity to share what He has done for us with others.
When we share our God experiences we open up opportunities for others to be transformed.
Jesus encouraged this man to return to his family to be a testimony to the healing grace of Jesus Christ. Jesus did not want this miracle to end with this man's miraculous recovery and He knew that it would set off a chain reaction for an entire town! In fact, this man went on to visit 10 towns with his story and the people were amazed! Sounds like he was the first evangelist!
I wonder if God wants us to do the same?
When things happen in our lives God does not ask to us just bask in the glory and look for the next experience. He instead wants us to testify to our family and our friends about what He has done so that it spreads like wildfire!
Jesus last words on the earth were a command, for us to go and make disciples of all the nations. In other words, go and tell everyone.
Our experiences with God are not just for us. Yes, they build our faith and trust in God but our experiences are also for the benefit of others. They allow us to share God with others, give testimony to what He has done and encourage that He can do the same for them.
Have you ever been encouraged when someone shared an experience they have been through? Did their journey speak to the season you were in? Did you identify with their struggle, eagerly listening to see how they got through it? I know I have, holding onto every word they have said has helped me find hope and encouragement in my own specific season.
In my life, I have had experiences that I strongly feel it is my responsibility to share. Those experiences have given me valuable learning’s that I feel led to pass onto others. They weren’t just for me to enjoy all by myself.
What experiences do you have with God that could benefit others?
Our relationship with God is not meant to be an isolated one. It is one that is meant to be shared with others so that they may come into that same relationship with God.
What a wonderful privilege it is to be able to inspire others into relationship with God. To be able to tell others about who God is and how amazing He is.
Lord,
Please give me courage and help me to see the opportunities around me to share testimony of what You have done in my life. Thank You for what You have done in my life and may the benefit of that not stop with me but flow on to benefit others.
Amen
Comments