Commissioned with Compassion

 

 

    

Mark 5:18-19

 

18 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 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."

    

Gratitude and devotion...these are not common character attributes seen today.  But they are important.  Especially in our relationship with  the Lord.   God has done so much for each one of us.   Particularly to those who have received Him as Savior.  Like the formerly demon-possessed man in today's account, we should have an equal desire to remain in the presence of the Lord.  It should take effort to tear ourselves away from time with Him.

 

But just as it was essential that the former demoniac use His time to testify to others about the great acts Jesus performed on His behalf, we must do likewise.  We must testify to the miracles God works in our lives.  We must bear witness to the goodness and compassion we have generously received at the hands of Jesus.

 

If we do not tell, people will die without knowing. This man was told to go home and tell his friends.  Sometimes our closest friends and family are the hardest to witness to.   Sometimes our relationship baggage makes it hard to give a "Bible-in-hand" explanation of the truth about Jesus.  We can, instead, tell about the little things that He does for us from day to day. Get a discount at the store?  Give Jesus the credit!  Have a tough work situation turn around?  Share it with those closest to you- acknowledging the hand of God. 

 

God has had compassion on us.  We must pay it forward in our relationships and in the situations the Lord brings our way.  Witnessing does not just have to be door-to-door.  It can certainly be heart-to-heart over a cup of latte.

 

Dear Jesus, thank you for all the compassion and goodness You have shown me.  Anoint me to share it with others.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.