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 own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you. (Mark 5:19 NIV).
After so many feverish nights of being tormented, the demonized man was finally at peace. No more voices whispering dark, perverse thoughts. Thoughts to kill himself. Taunting him to destroy his flesh by cutting and slashing with anything in reach.
No one saw him for the man he had been before the darkness flooded his mind and stole his peace. He was to be avoided at all cost. He was an object of scorn, a testimony of a disgraceful man who lost control only to be controlled by the devil!
He let out a low, uneasy laugh. If he had encounter someone like himself, he'd do the same! How many times did he fight the violent voices not to hurt someone so he'd picked up rocks to purge himself from those shameful and fearful impulses.
One day he awoke to find a crowd of angry men surrounding him. They were holding heavy chains in their hands. He struggled as they tighten the chains around his arms and legs. Above all the noise and voices, he heard someone call him a wild boar. Some smelly, foul animal that refused to be controlled. Then in a flash of anger and some unexplained evil force deep within his soul, he tossed away the chains like a feather. He scurried up the rocky hill to prevent himself from lunging at them. The men retreated, racing back to the village.
Darkness fell as he sat on the hill over looking the sea of Galilee.
Suddenly a storm stirred and struck the sea with untold fury. He strained to see boats being tossed like helpless leaves. He was thankful for the rain that washed away the tears streaming down his face. He shivered and felt helplessly alone. His lips moved as if to speak. He felt a cry rising from the pit of his stomach. This time it was a different voice, his own. He shook his fist to the heavens. If there is a God, help me!
His cry grew to a feverish pitch when he noticed the storm halted and the sea was as smooth as glass. His head tilted to one side in confusion.
The voices in his head were growing restless like hornets stirred in their nest. It was as if a different storm was encroaching upon them.
"Please let me go with you," he begged the God who heard his cry only the night before and the nights long ago when he was tormented. Earlier he had watched Jesus come out of the boat when the evil presence inside him become violent.
Now, he was clothed in a peace so indescribably rich!
Jesus eyes grew bright with hope as if seeing something in the near future, as he said, "No, I want you to go back, go back home and tell them of the wonderful things God has done for you." He touched the man's face for a moment before raising him to his feet. He watched the Lord's eyes trace his arms where there remained deep, etched scars.
The man shifted his eyes past the Lord to where hundreds of pigs had frantically raced down the hill, shrilling and screaming in hellish torment, taking with them all his demons into the heart of the sea. The sea Jesus calmed last night on His way to deliver him. And the raging sea in his mind. Peace be still!
Oh, such wonderful words were his to possess and to be possessed by the Prince of Peace!
Then he looked down at his arms and hands. The scars were visible, deeply etched, twisted and gruesome but it told a story of man who was delivered by tormenting voices and evil spirits. It was the one thing that remained, a witness for himself and others to never forget God's mercy.
Awesome! Great post!
ReplyDeleteWow! Very captivating.
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