Bible Reading: Numbers 9, 10 & 11; Mark 5:1-22
“And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel” – Mark 5:20 (KJV).
Most times, people receive blessings from God that impact their lives greatly but rather than boldly and gladly share the good news of God’s deliverance, healing, salvation or provision, they sit tight and begin to celebrate the blessing. This man with unclean spirit who Jesus delivered wanted to follow Jesus. This could be his own way of showing his gratitude to Jesus; it could also be a security measure to preserve the deliverance. Jesus would not allow the man to follow him; others need to hear his testimony. There is an assignment to the world that man needs to carry out. When one is saved, healed, delivered or empowered, one is not expected to sit idly in church or just be hanging around Jesus as a sign of ones indebtedness. The best way to express our gratitude and indebtedness to Jesus is to share the message of his goodness, his love, his power and his mercy. In response to the instruction of Jesus, the man hit the city in obedience and excitement to share the goodnews of his deliverance.
We too have received so many blessings from Jesus. The blessing of salvation is not to be toiled with. God has done so much for us by paying the price for our sins, by delivering us from the kingdom of darkness and translating us into the kingdom of his dear son. But instead of hitting our cities with the gospel of Christ we are sitting in church celebrating our new found love and life in Christ and petitioning heaven to give us fish and bread while the rest of the world are languishing in the bondage of sin and satan. All believers have been given the mandate to preach the gospel to the lost world. God demands obedience and commitment to this great commission.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, awaken the excitement for evangelism and soul winning in us.
Rev. Vincent Diolu