The First Missionary (Mk 5:1-20)
Ok, so I can't take credit for all of the following thoughts in this post, but I had to write something on here to share but also so I can put my thoughts onto pap... well, internet.
Who was the first recorded missionary sent out by Christ?
Max Lucado, in his book "He Still Moves Stones" provides an answer. Someone well trained? A long, devoted follower? A close disciple? Nope, this disciple was found in a graveyard. Not only that, but the first missionary was a raving lunatic. "He's the man your mom told you to avoid. He's the fellow Police lock up. He's the derenged man who stalks neighborhoods and murders families." THIS, is the first missionary of the church!
"Jesus' mere appearance humbles the demons. They had dominated this man, they cower before God. They had laced the region with fear, they beg for mercy from Jesus." They would feel safer in a herd of pigs rather than be in the presence of the Father. But the story is not over. After Jesus had put the demons into the swine, the herders went and told the people, who in turn came to see Jesus for themselves. What do they do? They ask Jesus to leave! The man who saved the region from the demons was asked to leave! Why? "Good question. What would cause a church to prefer slumber over revival? What would cause a nation to prefer slavery over freedom? What would cause people to prefer yesterday's traditions over today's living God? The answer, fear of change."
Wow... kudos to Lucado. I love random, yet important facts about my God and Lord. Years ago, I heard God described as ironic. The ironic God. The God who chose the youngest brother to become top dog, the God who chose by heart rather than looks, the God whose son was born in a manger rather than a throne, the God who choses grace over punishment. A God who displays power through mercy, rather than domineering.
In honor of the High Priest,
Potter
Who was the first recorded missionary sent out by Christ?
Max Lucado, in his book "He Still Moves Stones" provides an answer. Someone well trained? A long, devoted follower? A close disciple? Nope, this disciple was found in a graveyard. Not only that, but the first missionary was a raving lunatic. "He's the man your mom told you to avoid. He's the fellow Police lock up. He's the derenged man who stalks neighborhoods and murders families." THIS, is the first missionary of the church!
"Jesus' mere appearance humbles the demons. They had dominated this man, they cower before God. They had laced the region with fear, they beg for mercy from Jesus." They would feel safer in a herd of pigs rather than be in the presence of the Father. But the story is not over. After Jesus had put the demons into the swine, the herders went and told the people, who in turn came to see Jesus for themselves. What do they do? They ask Jesus to leave! The man who saved the region from the demons was asked to leave! Why? "Good question. What would cause a church to prefer slumber over revival? What would cause a nation to prefer slavery over freedom? What would cause people to prefer yesterday's traditions over today's living God? The answer, fear of change."
Wow... kudos to Lucado. I love random, yet important facts about my God and Lord. Years ago, I heard God described as ironic. The ironic God. The God who chose the youngest brother to become top dog, the God who chose by heart rather than looks, the God whose son was born in a manger rather than a throne, the God who choses grace over punishment. A God who displays power through mercy, rather than domineering.
In honor of the High Priest,
Potter
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