Miracle People
Have you even met someone whose life was changed?
Were they eager to talk about it?
As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. But Jesus refused, and said to him, 'Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.' And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed. - Mark 5:18-20
On the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, there is a slope so steep, any animals that ventured onto it would slide uncontrollably to the sea. In the cliffs are ancient caves. This is probably the place where Jesus encountered this man who was possessed by a legion of demons.
It was most likely a Greek town, for no Jew would herd swine, and yet Jesus chose to go there.
It makes me wonder how Mark heard of this story. Did he encounter one of the people to whom the man spoke after he was freed of his misery and pain?
If we look at all the people Jesus healed in his short ministry, we can imagine a lot of talk about the man who traveled from village to village talking about God's love and forgiving the sins of those he encountered.
It would have been easy to pick up stories of this man as one traveled through the region. And I am sure that is how these Gospels came to be written, given we have no way to link them directly with the disciples who walked and ate with him.
So, that begs me to ask. In your experience, have you heard stories of miraculous healing and then shared the story with others?
Chances are only the most amazing tales get retold, and all the others are forgotten. We know that there are many other things Jesus did and told his disciples that are not recorded in the books of the Gospel and that is a shame.
What if someone approached you today and told you a fantastic story of healing. Would you believe it? Would you think God was working through someone alive today?
I think there are miracle people around us everywhere, and that people of faith make these things real, people who believe that God can and does work through us all the time.
Jesus said we have to believe to be healed, and we have to believe to heal. Both need to be working together, perhaps.
Imagine what a wonderful world this could be, if we all chose to believe.
More to come...