Life Changer

Mark 5:1-20. 1 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. 6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” 9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” 13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.14 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

Jesus is a life changer if you let him.  Let’s start in verse 15 where it says, “When they (the towns people) came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.” Funny how a person’s response or reaction, to a situation, can vary so much and that reaction or response can affect your life so greatly. This tormented man, who even chains couldn’t control or contain, was sitting there in his right mind! If you have ever lived with an insane person you know the full impact of this statement.

I wish that I could have been there in person to see this! The towns’ people were afraid! Some may have been afraid of Jesus healing a lot more people like this and killing off their economy (by killing their pigs,) or they could have been afraid what Jesus might do in their life or perhaps they were afraid of what this now sane man might say about them that he had observed in the past? I don’t know why they were afraid but all I do know is that they were afraid and they begged Jesus to leave their whole region.

What will your response be when “you run into Jesus?” Will you see change that freaks you out and beg Him to leave your area? Or will you face your fears and see what change He will do in you? Or will you be like the healed man who was sitting there with Jesus, now dressed and in his right mind and go and tell others about Jesus and let them be amazed?

It is just something to think about. Today I do know this…Jesus is a life changer. It is your decision on how you will react or respond. It is your decision on how you will let Him change your life, but He is a life changer for sure!

Me? I want to hang out with Jesus!

Shanin