Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 who had [his] dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, 4 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. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. 7 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.” 8 For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” 9 Then He asked him, “What [is] your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name [is] Legion; for we are many.” 10 Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. 11 Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. 12 So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.” 13 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. 14 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. 15 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. 16 And those who saw it told them how it happened to him [who had been] demon-possessed, and about the swine. 17 Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region. 18 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 19 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.” 20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

– Mark 5:1-20 (NKJV)

Jesus does an incredible work and sets this man free from demonic possession, but the people of that region are scared in an unhealthy way. They want Jesus to leave them and go. They are reacting differently than how he was received in most places after a miracle. In those places, Jesus did an incredible work and told the person who was healed “don’t tell anyone.” And then he left the place because it had gotten too crowded.

Yet here, Jesus seems to have crossed the lake for an encounter with just a handful of people. The reaction from the small group gathered here is different. There is only one man pressing in around Jesus and in this instance it is the man who had had the demons cast out of him. Seemingly he is ready to lay aside everything and follow Jesus. To some extent, he probably feels like he needs a fresh start. Maybe he is scared of going back to old habits or maybe he is ashamed of what the townsfolk must think of him. He has every reason to leave and follow Jesus.

But what does Jesus tell him to do? Go home and tell what Jesus has done for him to the people there! He has a testimony to share and the people who knew him before and see him now will know that something has happened. They need to see the gracious power of God at work in this man’s life. Also, they have encouraged Jesus to leave because they are afraid and so Jesus commissions this man to go and be a real and present reminder of the power that he has to transform lives.

We may not have a long and storied history of horrific demon possession, like this man did, but for those who have had an encounter with Jesus, we do have a testimony to share. There are people who won’t gather in or press into an organized religious event, but they’ll listen to a friend or family member share about what God has done in their life. We are all called to “Go” somewhere. Some go to the ends of the earth, others simply go home and share what God has done. So where are you going and who are you telling about what Jesus has done for you?

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you for your amazing grace to save sinners like me. Thank you for the transforming work your word has on our hearts. I pray that we would be a witness for you today. Wherever we are, where ever we go, let us be telling people about what you have done in our lives. Give us courage and boldness today. Please guide us in your will and direction for us. In Jesus Name, Amen.