Jump Start # 3792

Mark 5:19 “And He did not let him, but He said to him, ‘Go home to your people and report to them what great things te Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.’”

Our verse today concludes the conversation Jesus had with the demon possessed man. The man had so many demons, legions, that he was out of control. He lived among the tombs. He screamed day and night. He cut himself with rocks. When chained, he broke the chains.

As Jesus approached, the demon possessed man rushed towards Jesus. A conversation takes place between Jesus and the demons. The demons are extended a moment of mercy by the Lord. Rather than going to torment, where they belonged, Jesus granted their wish and put them in a herd of pigs. The pigs went wild and rushed to the sea and two thousand of them drowned. The owner of the pigs show up and they want Jesus to leave.

As the Lord leaves, the man once filled with demons begs Jesus to let him follow. This is where our verse is found. Instead of following Jesus, the Lord wants him to go home and tell his people about what has happened.

And, tucked in here very neatly, easily to miss, is a wonderful lesson about evangelism. Sometimes things don’t go well in talking to our family members about the Lord. We often bridge the topic by telling them why they need Jesus. They don’t think that they need Jesus or, in many cases, they believe that they already have Jesus.

You need Jesus to change your life, we tell our family, never realizing that in their minds they are quite happy with the way that they are living right now. In desperation, we say if you don’t have Jesus, you’ll be lost. And, most times, that ends the conversation and things become tense and uncomfortable.

Notice what Jesus told this man in Mark five:

First, he was to go to the people who knew him the best, “your people.” We all have a “your people.” My people are not your people and your people are not my people. Your people know you the best. Your people have a history with you. There is no fooling your people.

Second, when this man reached “his people,” he was not to tell them about how empty their lives were or how terrible they were living. Instead, he was to talk about himself. Tell them what great things the Lord has done for you. His proof was his changed life. They knew him. They knew that demons had destroyed his life. But, look at him now. Clothed. Sensible. Reasonable. Trustworthy. That changed life would make family ask, “What happened to you?” And, that becomes an opened door to talk about Jesus.

It is that changed life and that joyous outlook and that confident faith that makes your people wonder what happened. Using yourself as the focus leads to questions which lead to talking about Jesus.

Third, it is when there is very little difference between our family and us that never causes anyone to ask a question. The man who was once possessed had several major changes in his life. We try to get our family to come to church when they don’t see any reason to do that. But when we show what a difference it has made in our lives and when we talk about how wonderful and supportive our church family is, then questions might be asked.

Jesus didn’t say, “Go tell them they need Jesus.” Nor, did the Lord say, “Go tell them that they are lost.” Instead, use yourself as the example. One fat guy telling another fat guy about diets usually doesn’t go well. But a guy who has lost a lot of weight and people notice it and begin asking, “What did you do?” that opens doors. The same is true financially. One broke guy giving financial advice to another broke guy usually is a waste of time. But, a guy who is debt free, investing and saving will catch the attention of those around who remained broke.

And, for us, it’s the same in evangelism. Telling others that they need Jesus will not open as many doors as telling our people, which they already know, I once was a drunk. Now, I’m not. I once was addicted to gambling. But now I’m not. Your people will remember the trouble you caused. They will remember the pain that came from your poor choices. But, now, seeing a different you, they’ll ask, “What happened?”

When we leave the impression that we are nearly perfect people who had to do very little changing in our lives, the doors will close shut. Some may be slammed shut. Your people know. They know your past. Being honest and taking off the masks is what will grab most people’s attention.

Go tell your people what great things the Lord has done for you. Simple words to think about.

Roger