Mark 5: 18-20 (NLT)
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.
Last month, we discussed the parable of the seed falling in four different areas of soil (October 26 - Mark 4: 1-20). You’ll recall that the first seed was snatched up by the birds before it had a chance to grow. I bring this picture back to your memory because one of the quickest ways the birds (Satan and the things of this fallen world) chomp on passionate Christians is by offering this most profound lie - that we can’t follow Christ and lead others to Him without knowing everything about Him. This one simple, yet destructive, lie has feasted on more believers than the one about saying Jesus can’t possibly love us because of our past. The end of this unusual and miraculous story tells us all we need to know on the matter.
Begging with a new desperation, the healed man pleads with Jesus to let him follow Him. But Jesus lovingly says, “Go home to your own people. Tell them your story - what the Master did, how he had mercy on you.” (verse 19, The Message) Jesus is telling the man, and us, all we need to know. Our story. How we were one way before and now we’re different. And the only difference is Jesus. His love. His compassion. His forgiveness. His mercy. His grace. We don’t need anything else to share the Gospel of Jesus with anybody. We are His Gospel! By telling the man, and us, that all we need is our story, Jesus is indirectly saying we don’t need theological doctrines or seminary degrees or “Reverend” in front of our names to spread the Gospel. We must only be willing. When people begin to see the changes in us, they will want what we have. It will be contagious.
So stop relying on the stories of others and go tell your own.
