Skip to main content

the first missionary

Mark 5:14-20
"14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.
15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.
17 And they began to pray Him to depart out of their coasts.
18 And when He was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed Him that he might be with Him.
19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel."

Reflection
As Jesus prepares to leave, the healed man begs to accompany Him. Jesus instead sends him home with a clear commission: “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you” (v. 19).
This is a pivotal moment. Elsewhere Jesus often commanded silence (the “Messianic Secret”), but here, among Gentiles, He authorizes bold public witness. The man obeys immediately and becomes the first missionary to the Decapolis (a league of ten Gentile cities). His testimony of personal mercy prepared the region for Jesus’ later ministry there (see Mark 7:31; 8:1-10).

Key Themes

Restoration of Dignity: The man is now “clothed and in his right mind,” fully restored to human dignity and ready for social reintegration, in stark contrast to his former naked isolation among the tombs.

The Cost of Discipleship: The townspeople rejected Jesus because of the economic loss (the pigs). The healed man accepted his mission even though it meant staying behind. True discipleship is not merely following Jesus physically, but obeying His will wherever He sends us.

Power of Personal Testimony: Jesus gave the man no formal training or complex doctrine; only the instruction to share what the Lord had done for him. Simple, authentic witness remains one of the most effective forms of evangelism.

Application
Who can you tell today about “how much the Lord has done for you”?
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I will make you

Matthew 4:19&20 "19 And He saith unto them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed Him." In our "Follow Me" series, we study Jesus calling His disciples in the Gospel of Matthew. By the Sea of Galilee, a thriving fishing hub, Jesus saw Simon and Andrew casting nets as humble fishermen. His disciples were ordinary workers, not wealthy or educated elites. Jesus approached them and said, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Remarkably, they immediately left their jobs to follow Him. This brief exchange conveys a profound truth: Jesus says, "I will make you." Only God can transform us to accomplish His purpose. We should often pray, "Help me, God," seeking Jesus' guidance to follow His plan for our lives.
Post a Comment
Read more

Elisha’s example

1 Kings 19:19-21 "19 So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. 20 And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee? 21 And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him." In Luke 9:54, after James and John sought to call down fire on a Samaritan village that rejected Jesus, they referenced Elijah, saying, “even as Elias did?” Jesus then taught three lessons about rejection: 1- Discipleship demands sacrifice, embracing hardship and forgoing earthly security. 2- Following Jesus requires immediate, un...
Post a Comment
Read more

God’s patience

2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." God did not immediately punish King Solomon when he allowed his foreign wives to build altars for false gods. Despite multiple compromises, God remained patient. Over time, Solomon’s endorsement of idolatry defied God’s covenant, leading to divine judgment, including the loss of the kingdom for his son. Some mistake God’s patience for indifference or inaction, but He follows His plan in His timing. If our nation, culture, church, or we ourselves stray like Solomon, we can repent and return to God’s path. And, should do so sooner than later! Amen!
Post a Comment
Read more