Scripture:
Mark 5:19
However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”
Mark 5:33-34
But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
Observation:
The first, a demon pssessed man.
The second, a woman with a mentral flow problem.
Both were healed, both were isolated and disconected with their community.
The man living alone and alienated was well known but an outcast.
The woman, also well known, and outcast is healed, but healed in secret. There was no public spectacle util.... Jesu turns, acknowledges her and brings into light the Glory of God and all that was done and achieved in the healing and restoration of her body.
Go and tell your friends, your family, your community! Jesus doesn't want them to leave all and walk with Him, He wants them to proclaim the story of transformation, be the story! Jesus restores the isolated to community!
Application:
The stories of transformation in lives are not only for the person but for the whole community to behold the glory and majesty of our God who saves, heals, delivers, restores.
God is into restoration of lives, but also is about spreading hte word and building faith in people (plural). It's about being in community and transforming peoples lives. It's about being salt and light, adding value to people and being a part of the restorative and transformation process of God. This can only happen as a community in community. It is about being the God person, the person with a story, the Good News, ... in our streets, in our work place, everywhere... and also as we meet in the church. But not oonly with the people who have the same faith.
Prayer:
Lord help me to really get this, and put it into practice in my own life! Amen
