For What It’s Worth… The Rest of the Story

Luke 8:22, 26-40

A week or so ago I spoke about Jesus freeing a man of Gerasene from Demons (June 22nd). You will remember that this poor man called himself “Legion”.

After the sermon I got into a few conversations and the topic of why didn’t Jesus let this man come with him when Jesus left Gerasene? For our passage on Sunday ended this way:

38The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.

Here is just one thing we can learn from the ending of this story… Jesus directs this freed man as a witness to others in his community. You see, everyone in that town knew of “the crazy man who ran around naked and could break chains at will and lived in tombs instead of a house”. Yep, pretty sure all adults and children knew about him!

And now…He is freed from that which afflicted him, now he is healed, and now…he is commissioned by Jesus to bear witness of God’s power and grace and concern for one such as him. He was called to bear testimony, called as a witness, called – even though he would have been the last person any of that town would have expected to become a follower of God. And I can only imagine the “ears that were opened” because of this miraculous testimony. This man was called a witness!

And here is the application point for us all. So are we! We are called as a witness. There is no better reporter on ourselves than us! Sure many of us may prefer to just sail off with Jesus (I mean that sounds wonderful! I am sure it will be!!) But…for now, we are in the same place as this man from Gerasene…for right now, we are called by Jesus – to tell our story in our home towns! Sure, maybe we won’t have as eventful of a story as the man, formerly known as “Legion”, but the truth is – we each have been saved… by Jesus…and there is a story to tell! So let’s share our story with others!

39“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.

Like the man from Gerasene – we are sent as well!

Blessings,

Your Pastor,

Scott <><