Why do we tend to think of the Bible as a historical book with very little to add to our everyday lives and struggles? It can be so easy to mistake the Bible as something outdated, something to only read on Sundays. God's Word is living and active. It meets us right where we live and drills down to the deep issues going on around us. If we will only have eyes to see it, we would understand that the Bible is one of God's major tools to heal, guide and shape us. This truth became clear to me while talking with one of the youths after 180 tonight. We talked about life, our struggles to know God and the message delivered by Pastor Carter tonight.
The message covered the story of the demon possessed man whom Jesus healed. Jesus cast thousands of demons out of the man and into a heard of swine. Found in Mark 5, the story at first may seem like just another nice Bible story about Jesus' power. But it has a real connection for those who would see.
The demon possessed man had become a menace to those around him. In the effort to control him, the town people had tried to bind him and chain him. But he had supernatural strength and could break free from even heavy chains. Tormented by demons raging inside of him, the man lived among the tombs. He walked around naked and cried out constantly. The man even cut himself with stones. This reminded me of the modern practice of "cutting" where people carve their own flesh. Unfortunately, cutting is common with many teens today. Some of them do it hoping to feel something because they have become numb to life. Others do it out of curiousity. Others do it because they listen to the wrong voices going off in their heads. I used to think that the practice of cutting sounded like something outrageous. I couldn't see why people would mutilate themselves. But as I have gotten to know many teens, I have seen that their pain goes deep. Many of them have expereinced sorrow in their lives that far outpace anything that I have experienced. They are mutilating themselves out of desperation.
The madman at Gadara was much the same way. He cried out night and day for something to free him. Then one day, he met Jesus, and his life was never the same. Jesus had been preaching among the crowds in Galilee. And he suddenly suggested that he and his disciples go to the other side of the lake. I wonder if Jesus heard this man scream from the other side of the lake? Did the Spirit reveal the misery of the madman to Jesus? Was this just a coincidence or did Jesus come all the way to Gadara just to meet this man? Since we don't see him staying long to minister to the town, it looks like Jesus came primarily to drive demons out of the men at the tomb. There were in fact two crazy men posessed by demons in the area according to the account in Matthew 8:28-34.
I find this story encouraging because Jesus heard the cry of these men. He took authority over the situation. The demons cowered when confronted by Jesus. We see that our Lord is indeed stronger than the forces of darkness. Jesus can turn our scars into a great testimony of God's power. After these men came to their right mind, we know that at least one asked to go with Jesus. But the Lord refused this man's request. Instead, He sent him to go live as a witness of God's power among his friends and those who used to be scared of him. Through this man's scars many people saw the salvation of God. We each have a story to tell. And our scars can be the balm needed to bring healing and deliverance to the life of another.
