You Better Tell Somebody
“You better ask somebody!” That phrase is intended to let someone know that they better investigate and get informed about just what you are capabie of. It’s a phrase that is really a follow on to the question “do you know who I am?” In our lesson this week, Jesus encounters a man possessed by demonic spirits, and Jesus demonstrates emphatically “who He is”. He is the Lord and He has the power and authority to set free anyone held captive by any evil force. By His authority, Jesus commanded the evil spirits to come out of the man. As a result, Jesus set him free to live his life again and to tell others what the Lord did for him. I pray that you will call upon the Lord to free you from whatever May be keeping you from living the life God intended for you.
Listen as Mary Mary sings “Shackles”
They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”. (Mark 5:1-8). A man plagued by an impure spirit was tormented to the point that he couldn’t live in peace with himself or others. The spirit had taken such control over him that it caused him to be self destructive and do great harm to himself. He was living among the dead. We too are living in the land of the dying but desiring to get to the place of eternal life. The good news for this man, was that Jesus was near. And despite the presence of the spirit that had control of him and tried to destroy him, this man had enough clarity of mind to recognize that he needed Jesus. so he came to meet the Lord, to seek mercy and healing. In fact, the man ran to Jesus and fell on his knees seeking mercy from the one who could restore him and make him whole again. We can run to the Lord for the help we need!
Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. (Mark 5:9-13). This man had been plagued for so long and by so many things. When Jesus asked the impure spirit his name, his reply was “my name is legion”. Legion is not really the name of the demonic spirit, however it is an acknowledgment that there were multiple demonic spirits plaguing this man. And their response that they were many (Legion) was intended to challenge Jesus’ power and authority. But there comes a point where we have to fall on our knees and call on Jesus if we want get well from the destructive forces that are affecting our lives. And this encounter demonstrates that Jesus has the power and authority over every demonic spirit that may be causing us pain and destruction. Our Lord has authority over any evil spirit that may come against us!
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. (Mark 5:18-20). The man who had been demon-possessed didn’t just want what Jesus had to give him (his freedom), he wanted to be with Jesus. But Jesus implored him to tell others “how much the Lord has done for you”. Like the Samaritan woman who Jesus met at the well, this man went out into the decapolis (10 cities) region sharing his testimony about what Jesus had done for him. Many knew the man when he was possessed, and his testimony of being set free amazed them. Many who knew you before you met Jesus will be amazed by your testimony about what He did for you!
Todays lesson features a man who was strong enough to break the physical chains that bound him, but was helplessly captive to the evil spirits that had taken over his life. When he met Jesus, the one who is Lord over everything set him free. Everyone the man shared his story with, about what Jesus did for him, was amazed. Jesus is still doing amazing things in the lives of those who come to him seeking freedom and salvation. Many people’s lives have been transformed and set free because they came to Him. Jesus is still setting the captives free. Maybe you were one of them. And for those who still don’t know… maybe you better tell them who He is and what He’s done for you!
Blessings,
Rev. Glenn
