– Scripture:
Troubled People
As Jesus got out of the boat, a madman from the cemetery came up to him. He lived there among the tombs and graves. No one could restrain him—he couldn’t be chained, couldn’t be tied down. He had been tied up many times with chains and ropes, but he broke the chains, snapped the ropes. No one was strong enough to tame him. Night and day he roamed through the graves and the hills, screaming out and slashing himself with sharp stones.
Mark 5:2-5 MSG
– Reflection:
Many of us that have read the story of the Troubled Man in Mark 5 get an understanding of a guy that was possessed just coming up to Jesus. Many of us have met troubled people who, for some reason, don’t bother anyone, but at certain times, they just explode and speak some nonsense that really aren’t words at all. Still, there are people that are stuck in a troubled life and tell everyone that will stand and listen. That is troubling too. We are here do the work Christ didn’t get to finish so those people may steer clear of you because they want to hold onto that spirit and that attention. If you are ever put in a place like Jesus was handle it the same way. To me Jesus told the spirits in the guy to “Get out of his face”. Hopefully handling your business as Christ did will give that person who you are dealing with the ability to be saved because of the conversation that you had with them. Your hope will be if this happens for them they will spread the story about how you came and saved them just as the possessed man did for Jesus.
Where do we go from here?
Spread the word of GOD and how great he has been to you, and watch how the world begins to change. It will get tougher for you personally in the beginning; people won’t understand the reason for the change in you. Once they know that you are truly in the family of Christ, and they see how you move in the world, they will wonder about it and begin to ask questions. That is when you start telling about how you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior and haven’t looked back. WE all are troubled or have been at one time or another, it is the help we receive to make the change from troubled to walking in grace that makes the difference in our lives.
Our Prayer for Today
Father, it is with a humbled heart that I come to you this morning on everyone’s behalf; for the trouble that we have caused in the world. I have accepted you as my savior, and I am bringing a few to the altar with me this morning. It is not my way to force you on anyone, but I do want them to know the greatness that you are. If they choose to come into the family this morning or any other morning, Jesus, it will be because of your grace and glory. Amen.