Staying With Jesus
(S) Scripture
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 family 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 (NIV)
(O) Observation
The man Jesus healed wanted to stay with him. He wanted to be with Jesus and to go wherever Jesus went. Jesus did not allow that rather he had a mission for the man to do. He was to go to his family and tell them what Jesus had done for him. His testimony was powerful and amazed those who heard it. Had he gone with Jesus those people would not have heard his testimony.
(A) Application
Many times I have found myself wanting to stay at a place where I have experienced a spiritual mountaintop experience. Whether it was at the WV Baptist at Camp at Cowen during my school years or at Campus Crusade for Christ Conference or retreat as a college student or at a retreat or conference now, it does not matter. When Peter asked to stay on the mountain after the transfiguration the answer was, "NO". The mission was not on the mountaintop but rather off the mountain and where the people lived. The mission and ministry remain the same for us. As much as we would like to stay on the mountaintop our mission and ministry is off the mountain and with the people. What are we to do? Tell them how much the Lord has done for us. Simple instructions and a simple message. Why do we make it so complicated? Lord today I will tell people the simple story of what you have done for me.
(P) Prayer
Lord, help me to get the mission and message right. Help me today to share the simple truth of all you have done for me and that you want to do the same for others. Amen
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