Life is full of deadlines, appointments, traffic jams and keeping up with the neighbours. A never ending cycle of bills and expenses seem to always appear and consume our time, energy and thoughts. Throughout all this we must somehow stay afloat while keeping our sanity and looking like we’ve got it all together.
Life is a rat race and the irony is is that even if you win your still a rat - Anonymous
The world offers prescription drugs, medicines, counselling, therapy; all of which can never fix our greatest need - the human soul. People die, money runs out, you lose your job, a drunk driver runs into you, friends move on and tragedies happen. The truth is life is hard and not everyone makes it.
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They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones (Mark 5:1-20)
Many people experience a living hell at some point in their life - but did this guy have issues! There was a man on the other side of the lake that had been loved by Him from before the world began. He had been predestined to become one of Jesus' redeemed followers.This man had a name but scripture does not say. No one knew, no one cared, no one wanted him and no one loved him. Humanly speaking, there was absolutely no hope for him. All that could be done was to abandon him to his demonic torment and hope that he stayed away until his pitiful madness destroyed him. And then one day fate took a turn, and the maniac met the Messiah.
When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!" For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!" Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many."
A legion was the largest unit of the Roman army, consisting of up to 6,000 soldiers. Everyone has their own personal demon they fight on a daily basis, but did this guy have lots of them!
It is evident that Jesus loved this man greatly to travel such a great distance. He cares about every single area of our lives, even down to the details of our inner demons. Jesus can fix, rebuild and repair any soul in need of healing. He came to heal, redeem, restore and bring freedom to all who are in bondage from themselves and this world.
A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind
Jesus healed him in EVERY single area of his life - physically, spiritually, emotionally and psychologically. He restored him to his normal mental state and empowered him with a mission and purpose in life - to tell everyone all the wonderful things God has done. No matter what you are facing the touch of God can heal every single area of your life and give you a fresh start. There are no issues Jesus can't fix and heal you of completely.
Ephesians 2:4-7
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
When the local people came out to see what was happening, they saw a they found a formerly dangerous and demonic man sitting at Jesus feet - no longer shrieking but calm and peaceful; no longer naked and out of control, but clothed and in his right mind.
The greatest evidence of a good God is a changed and transformed human life from darkness to light – Anonymous
One of the wonderful things about our Saviour is that He goes out of His way to save those He loves. He travelled a great distance to save this unloved and unwanted man. Jesus also travelled the greatest possible distance to save us too. He left His glorious throne in heaven in order to meet us face to face. He even went so far as to die on the cross for us; that’s how much He loves us. He loved this poor man on the other side of the lake, too; and so He travelled a great distance to go and save him.
1 Timothy 1:17This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief
If Jesus hadn’t come to rescue me, I’d be just as lost and helpless too.
