August 11, 2004

  • A couple of quick lessons from Mark 5:1-20

    1) People don't like change, no matter how good, especially if it makes them uncomfortable.

    Jesus gives a man freedom from evil spirits, and the people from the town PLEAD with him to leave. It originally stems from the fact that the herd of pigs were totally lost, but even then, I think the townspeople were more frightened by the idea that the now-formerly-demon-posessed guy was normal than anything else." Forget about the pigs-this guy freaks us all out!" I think they were afraid of the change that Jesus was capable of bringing, and just a tinsy bit upset about the pigs...

    2) Jesus wants us to tell other people about the things He has done for us!

    As Jesus is leaving, the healed guy asks to go with, but Jesus tells him instead to go home to his family and "tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you" (Mark 5:19) Go home to your FAMILY. Good place to start. I hardly ever speak up to my family (parents, brothers, etc..) about the good things God has done for Christy and I--and I'm not sure why...but He wants us to share our experiences with others!

    Check out this Warren Barfield song. It's great. We are doing it Sunday in church and it has a great message about compassion.