Calming a human storm #1
| 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. (Mark5:1-5) |
It is significant that Jesus went there. It speaks of His commitment to all of humankind. Everyone needs to hear.
The Gerasene Grave Guy (the GGG) was in trouble:
- He was possessed by an evil spirit - He was a slave of Satan
- He lived among the graves: Although physically alive, he was spiritually dead.
- He couldn't be bound: He was out of control
- He couldn't be controlled: And it seems he could not control himself
- He was in pain and inflicted pain to himself: Self-defeating and self-destructive behaviour.
Maybe he saw the storm over the lake being stilled. Maybe he experienced the relief in the air that one feels when a storm has finally broken. Maybe he sensed the presence of the Storm-Stiller as He climbed out of the boat, but, whatever the reason, this poor man comes running to Jesus.
Although his condition is extreme, it is indicative of the fate of humanity.
- We are under the power of Satan - "prince of this world" (See John 12:31) and the "ruler of the kingdom of the air" (Eph.2:2)
- We are spiritually dead even though physically alive
- We are out of control - just watch the news and look at how we stick to our diets and resolutions
- We are in pain and a lot of it is self-inflicted.
The Good News is that the Storm-Stiller comes to the "other side" - He comes to you and me.
