Set Free to Serve

 In Mark 5:1-20, the account is given of a demoniac man who is healed by Jesus.  This man dwelt among the tombs and the people tried unsuccessfully to bind him with chains (v. 3).  They wanted this man far away from them because he screamed all night and cut himself relentlessly (v. 5).  Jesus, on the other hand, went to him and healed him.  We are told just before this that Jesus and His disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee and found the man as soon as they got out of the boat (v. 2).  After Jesus heals the man, He then crosses over the sea again (v. 21).  This implies that the whole reason for the trip was to heal this man.  This man that others tried to chain and cast out, Jesus made a special trip to free and bring in.  

And what happens as a result?  Well, the people of the area beg Jesus to leave because they were afraid (vv. 15-17).  The man who was healed begs to go with Jesus, but He doesn't let him.  Instead, Jesus assigns him the duty of the first missionary to the Gentiles.  You see, this region was a Gentile area, so these people were Gentiles.  Jesus made a special trip to set one man free so that all the Gentiles in this area could hear the gospel.  

So what do we do when we are set free?  Jesus made a special trip to this world to set us free, each and every one of us.  When we surrender our lives to Him, we become His missionaries in our own corner of the world and wherever else He sends us.  When we are set free, we are set free to serve.  We are set free to be His.  Whether it is as you serve your family at home, work in your job, or go to the store, He gives us opportunities to proclaim what great things He has done for us (v. 20).  If you belong to Christ, you are free, unchained, welcomed into His kingdom.  What will you do with that?


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