Devotion for August 28, 2008

True Gratitude

“Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had [his] dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me." For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!" Then He asked him, "What [is] your name?" And he answered, saying, "My name [is] Legion; for we are many." Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them." And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea. So those who fed the swine fled, and they told [it] in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one [who had been] demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. And those who saw it told them how it happened to him [who had been] demon-possessed, and about the swine. Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region. And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you." And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.” (Mark 5:1-20 NKJV)

Here was a man suffering greatly filled with a legion of demons who repeatedly gashed his flesh with stones. Once healed he who was demon-possessed begged Jesus to let him join Him on His way. However, Jesus bid him to forsake his desires and proclaim the works of God among his family and friends, and so he did.

Juxtaposed the gratefulness of he who was demon-possessed is the ingratitude of the towns people. Instead of rejoicing over this man’s healing they were embitter over their loss of swine. Fearful that Jesus, who was obviously a man of great power, might turn His wrath upon their sins implored Him to leave fearing greater harm from His presence.

My dear friends be grateful for the grace of God that is in you. Obey His commandments and forsake this world. Speak the gospel at every opportunity. Fear not what man can do, but reach out in faith to those who need Him most. He who was demon-possessed forsook his desires to go with Jesus, and proclaimed God to those in Decapolis and all marveled. Let him be our example.