Drawing Near When It’s Uncomfortable
Mark 5:1-20 (NLT)
So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.
When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.”
Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?”
And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.” Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place.
There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. “Send us into those pigs,” the spirits begged. “Let us enter them.”
So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.
The herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.
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 Town of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.
Reflection
Today in Mark 5 we witness Jesus crossing over to the region of the Gerasenes, intentionally entering a place others avoided – a cemetery, a dwelling place for a man tormented by a legion of evil spirits. This man, broken and isolated, lived among the burial caves and was uncontrollable and unreachable. Yet, when Jesus approached, the man ran to meet Him, bowing before the Son of the Most High God.
In our own lives, Jesus calls us to follow His example by drawing near to those who are hurting, overlooked, and outcast. The Savior of the world did not shy away from the uncomfortable; instead, He confronted the darkness that enveloped people’s lives.
Similarly, we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a world filled with hurting souls. We can bring life to those who are overlooked and outcast by taking note of how Jesus lived His life while He was here on Earth.
In today’s reading, Jesus changed this man's life and rescued him from evil; He took the time, went into an uncomfortable situation, and extended compassion. Jesus didn't turn away from the man's suffering; He responded with kindness. This is not always easy. I know I have found myself in situations where I have pushed people away and not made space for them because I lacked the energy and compassion I thought they needed. But that is not the standard God calls us to. He does not call us to love only when it is easy. Or to take time only when it is comfortable. Jesus shows us in this passage what it looks like to create space for people, even when it is difficult and uncomfortable.
Although it can be challenging, I want to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. I want to respond to the calling on my life by drawing near to the uncomfortable and bringing life to those who need it most.
Action Steps
Are there people in your life who you have been avoiding because it is uncomfortable? Take time to ask the Lord what it would look like to make space for loving those individuals.
Prayer
God, thank You for giving us the greatest example of true love in Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for giving us not just the expectation but a roadmap to follow when it comes to pointing people to Your love. Please give me strength to see people the way You see them. Help me see the people around me with love and give me a desire to show them the kind of love You have shown me. I love You Lord, amen.
So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.
When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.”
Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?”
And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.” Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place.
There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. “Send us into those pigs,” the spirits begged. “Let us enter them.”
So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.
The herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.
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 Town of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.
Reflection
Today in Mark 5 we witness Jesus crossing over to the region of the Gerasenes, intentionally entering a place others avoided – a cemetery, a dwelling place for a man tormented by a legion of evil spirits. This man, broken and isolated, lived among the burial caves and was uncontrollable and unreachable. Yet, when Jesus approached, the man ran to meet Him, bowing before the Son of the Most High God.
In our own lives, Jesus calls us to follow His example by drawing near to those who are hurting, overlooked, and outcast. The Savior of the world did not shy away from the uncomfortable; instead, He confronted the darkness that enveloped people’s lives.
Similarly, we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a world filled with hurting souls. We can bring life to those who are overlooked and outcast by taking note of how Jesus lived His life while He was here on Earth.
In today’s reading, Jesus changed this man's life and rescued him from evil; He took the time, went into an uncomfortable situation, and extended compassion. Jesus didn't turn away from the man's suffering; He responded with kindness. This is not always easy. I know I have found myself in situations where I have pushed people away and not made space for them because I lacked the energy and compassion I thought they needed. But that is not the standard God calls us to. He does not call us to love only when it is easy. Or to take time only when it is comfortable. Jesus shows us in this passage what it looks like to create space for people, even when it is difficult and uncomfortable.
Although it can be challenging, I want to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. I want to respond to the calling on my life by drawing near to the uncomfortable and bringing life to those who need it most.
Action Steps
Are there people in your life who you have been avoiding because it is uncomfortable? Take time to ask the Lord what it would look like to make space for loving those individuals.
Prayer
God, thank You for giving us the greatest example of true love in Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for giving us not just the expectation but a roadmap to follow when it comes to pointing people to Your love. Please give me strength to see people the way You see them. Help me see the people around me with love and give me a desire to show them the kind of love You have shown me. I love You Lord, amen.
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