Luke 8:38-39 38The man from whom the demons had gone was begging to be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.
Athough the Gerasene people were seized with fear and rejected Jesus, the man freed from demons had a very different response. He becomes a model of discipleship. First, Jesus freed him from his spiritual bondage and gave him a new life of freedom. Second, he sat at the feet of Jesus in a position of humility and worship, gleaming what he could from the few moments he had with Jesus. It took some time for the events of this passage to take place. During those moments, Jesus as the giver of life spoke wonderful words of new life to this man. Third, the man wanted to follow Jesus. Jesus was the source of life, wisdom, power, and authority. Discipleship means to follow and learn from a master, and that is exactly what this man wanted to do.
Fourth, Jesus, however, had a different plan for this man’s discipleship. Jesus wanted him to return home and bear witness to his family and community about God’s healing touch upon his life. He has been rejected by his community and cut off from family and friends. People had basically given up on him by trying to restrain him with bonds. There are many ways to follow Jesus. Sometimes, Jesus will invite people to follow him into ministry that will take them far away from home. The twelve apostles had this call. Some of them would go great distances in the future as they followed the call of Jesus. For other people, the call will be to go back home and share with those who know us. Both of these can be difficult. Both require the presence of the Holy and Powerful God with us.
This man followed through and went home to tell people of his new life. The same people who rejected Jesus still heard about his power over demons through the testimony of this man. They missed out on having Jesus with them in person, but Jesus still came to them through this man. The man’s testimony spoke the same words Jesus would have spoken. Although Jesus is not physically present, his followers can bring the message of hope and new life to our communities. The healed man went throughout the whole city, not just with a few people. He got the word out to anyone and everyone around him. When someone experiences the touch of Jesus, like this man, the greatest sermon one can preach is a personal testimony of a changed life.
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