Jesus knows what is best and helps His plans for our lives unfold. As people, we think we know what is best. The Lord must be amused at our thoughts because He is all-knowing, and we are not. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” [1]
Seeking the Lord is seeking His will for our life, not our own. As we grow in faith and the Holy Spirit leads, the Lord shows us repeatedly that He knows what is best. Sometimes in life, we travel down the dead ends of life before we realize the Lord does know best. Perhaps you have been down one of those roads and found out the hard way. I have gone my own way before and had to ask the Lord to get me out of the muck and mire I had gotten myself into.
Jesus Knew the Right Plans for the Man Delivered from Demons
Jesus delivered a man in the Garasenes from many unclean spirits. This man’s life before Jesus intervened was one of despair and hopelessness. He was naked and lived in the tombs. He howled and cut himself with sharp stones. In contrast, he is described as fully clothed and perfectly sane after his deliverance. What a difference it makes when one goes from living in the Kingdom of Darkness to living in the Kingdom of Light.
Understandably, this man wanted to stay with Jesus and asked to go with Him. Jesus had saved him. This man was grateful and wanted to follow Jesus, but the Lord had a different and better plan.
Jesus’ Plan: You are to be an Evangelist
Mark 5:18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. 19 But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” 20 So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them. [2]
Jesus’ Plan for Him Changed the Lives of Many
A former demon-possessed man was no longer living in the tombs but free because of Jesus. He would now spend his time telling others about Jesus so they could be set free. No matter what bondage they were in, Jesus could free them. No matter what bondage you are in right now, Jesus can set you free. Think of the hope this healed man brought to this Gentile community.
God had a plan for this man who satan tried to destroy. God has a fantastic call on your life, and the enemy will do everything possible to derail what God has for you. You may think the Lord can’t use you. That is a lie! The Lord wants to use you in a mighty way, just like this man. He wants you to build the Kingdom of God and lead many people into the Kingdom. The question for any of us is, “Are you available?”
Jesus knows what is best. To hear more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/mark-demons-tolerated-jesus-rejected
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Mt 6:33). Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Mk 5:18–20). Tyndale House Publishers.