What Do You Want With Me?
Yesterday we explored the story of the man from Gerase who was possessed by the Legion of demons. We saw that because of his affliction, he was cast out of his family and community and stripped of his humanity to the point that he was making a life for himself among Tombs – places of death.
And we saw that after he was set free from demonic oppression, he wanted to leave that place, to go with Jesus (the one who had restored his humanity). But Jesus refused, instead commanding the man to go back to the very people who had rejected and abandoned him. Jesus declared that those people were now his friends, and that he was to “tell them everything the Lord has done for you, and the great mercy he has shown you.”
I have so many friends who have dealt with something similar to this. Their parents (or children) or spouses or friends don’t understand the radical healing and change that comes with following Jesus, and confusion and misunderstanding so quickly turns into fear and hostility. The wounds from those kinds of encounters are often as dehumanizing and painful as anything that happened before we decide to follow Jesus.
It’s so easy to want to pick up and leave. But Jesus calls us to those same people who have hurt us, who continue to hurt us. Because he wants our lives to be a testimony, a living demonstration of the power of his Gospel.
What does this look like in your life? Who are the people you really need to focus on loving? And more importantly, how are you going to love them in a way that’s transformative for them?
Becky said,
August 17, 2010 at 5:32 pm
I just had someone say to me that their fear is that if they are too transparent in their faith others will look at them like they have a third eye. To which I said, who cares? Wouldn’t you rather be free and out of the chains of public approval?
I believe that our family of origin is our first mission field, dealing with broken relationships, boundary issues, acceptance of loved ones, etc. is where our true transformation in Christ begins. Our family can teach us a lot about ourselves, but also about the unending love of Christ as he calls us to love them unconditionally.
Great sermon JR, to God be the glory.
JR. Forasteros said,
August 17, 2010 at 6:06 pm
I agree, Becky. I think we have to learn to trust that if we walk in the freedom and abundance God promises us, and to do so faithfully in front of our families (friends, coworkers, etc.). We can learn to trust that if we live lives that lift up Jesus, God will draw others to him.
I’ve found doing this with my family can be the toughest place to do this.
Thanks for your thoughts and encouragement.