“And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them. So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake. The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:37-39 NLT
Is your calling to go or stay? After a terrorizing night on the beach, where Jesus (a Jewish Rabbi and his 12 Jewish disciples) landed on the shores of Gerasenes. Gersa was a part of the larger Roman Decapolis or ten cities. Jesus purposely crossed the Galilee for an appointment with divine destiny.
No self respecting Jew would have anything to do with this area of the eastern shore. It is believed that the Decapolis was the “Las Vegas” of its day, where there was entertainment, exploration and excitement galore. Gerasenes was known to the locals as “pig island” because of the vast herds providing pork meat products supplying the massive festivals in the arenas. Where there were personal vomitoriums, like public toilets, surrounded the outdoor stadiums, whether it is true or not, decadence was absolutely a big part of the Roman celebrations.
We don’t know where the “tomb man” came from, nor his history. But we do know where he ended up! Out of his mind, and the under control of thousands of demons – his body was like an influencer’s party at an Airbnb. After Jesus exercised the demons out of the man and allowed them to take temporary residence in a large herd of pigs, the response was immediate. The locals wanted Jesus to GO, but the exercised man wanted to go with him! The villagers and the previously demon possessed man were apparently afraid. The difference is, the villagers were afraid of Jesus bringing this kind of power over demons but they also saw that Jesus had power over their entire economy! The pig herders didn’t want Jesus to wipe out any more of their financial income.
The now safe-n-sane man was also afraid. He was afraid to go back to his own community, realizing that his previous life had likely burned all of his relational bridges. He was afraid of the power of his past. The now freed man begged Jesus to take him with them, but Jesus told him “No.” Jesus wanted him to go back to his family, back home where everyone knew his story. Interesting that his “discipleship” path led him back, not forward to follow the savior. Jesus gave him one simple but profoundly difficult command, “Tell them everything that God has done for you.” Some folks journey doesn’t lead them off to extraordinary adventures where life is hard, where the mission field requires language and cultural training. Some are called, chosen to go back to where they came from. Back to the familiar place, where people know them and know their story well.
Jesus was telling him to go back and live a whole different story, starting with the one where he was roommates with 2,800 devils. He had crazy fits of rage, and was a constant danger to anyone that tried to come near to help. But the new story, where he had been set free, now had the power of the love of God radiating from every pore of his soul! This amazing story shows us that Jesus clearly wanted the previously known mad-naked-man to follow him, but to do so by going back to his people, immediately illustrating that God wants us to both BE a disciple but also MAKE disciples. This story also illustrates how God relentlessly pursues the human heart, stopping at nothing to free us and give us a whole new story to tell.
This is how God pursues – endlessly, constantly. Mad naked man only knew how to cut himself, to fend off suicidal whispers. He only knew how to scream from the intense pain of torture and imprisonment. He ran towards Jesus in hope that he could help him, save him! You don’t think God pursues you? Look again. In your torment, fighting to stay alive while whispers of death haunt your mind – scream out to Jesus! He will meet you on the beaches of your own pig island and set you free.
Prayer
Dad,
My life had nowhere near the trauma of the mad naked man, but who knows where it might have gone. All I know is that you saw me, spoke to me and offered me the relationship I needed most – to be my Father. You saved me and are constantly setting me free from my past. I live because you re-wrote my story and now I am yours forever.