Luke 8:38-39

Posted by DJL on May 21, 2013 in Daily Bread | 0 comments

The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, ‘Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.’ So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.

So they guy who had the demons driven out of him now wants to follow Jesus. Should we be surprised? I mean, if someone just set you free from a curse that had been literally ruining your life, you might want to follow him as well. Even more, if you saw your townsfolk drive this guy away in fear, you might wonder how folks will respond to you? Or maybe after all those years of being known as “the guy possessed by demons” you’d just want a fresh start?

However we imagine it, it’s not that hard to understand why he might want to leave town and follow Jesus.

But Jesus says “no.”

And that does surprise me, at least at first. Because at first I’d think Jesus would continue to welcome anyone who wanted to follow. We’ve seen before that the disciples following Jesus include the twelve (whom Luke sometimes calls the apostles) but also many, many more. So why not this guy?

Jesus’ answer is telling. “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.”

Ministry doesn’t have to take you far from home. Ministry, in the fullest sense of the word, can simply be sharing what God has done for you where you live…and work…and volunteer… and hang out… and socialize. Ministry happens whenever the people of God tell where God has been active in our lives.

Can we do that? More to the point, can you do that? What if that is the ordinary and simultaneously extraordinary call to each of us? Just to point to where God has been active in our own lives?

Many of us have little experience doing that, however. So if that feels hard or daunting or over your head, I have a suggestion: start by naming it to yourself. Each day, see if you can find one place where God is at work, one thing for which to thank God. My guess is that over time, thanksgiving will naturally spill over into your conversations with others and you, like this man, will be following Jesus’ command.

Prayer: Dear God, make us aware of your activity in our lives and eager to tell others what you have done for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.