Mark 5:18-20 18And as he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. 19And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go to your house to those who are close to you and proclaim to them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20And he went away and began to preach in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.
The man who was healed gives the opposite response to the Gerasene people and wanted to become a disciple, but Jesus had different plans for him. His begging was to be with Jesus, whereas the others wanted Jesus to get away. The man had family and friends who needed him back at home in the Decapolis, a term describing ten towns in the area. A lot unstated in the story is unstated, but Jesus knew the situation and need. When someone is in the state that this man ways, there are always victims involved. By going back home, this man would be a witness to the power and mercy of Jesus and also restore the brokenness that he may have created. His testimony went far in the Gentile area. He preached (kēryssein) the good news through his personal testimony. The man did not know much about Jesus but simply that he was the Lord. Preaching or proclaiming can be as simple as sharing what the Lord has done for us through his healing and mercy.
Discipleship does not always mean leaving home and going out on a mission. This man’s discipleship would be lived out as a witness in his community. Just think of the type of friends who awaited this man. Some of them may have been part of those who wanted to get rid of Jesus. The man was returning to a hostile setting. Discipleship may mean different things for different people. Some are called to go and leave everything, while others are called to return to their families and communities. The result for this man was marvel, wonder, and awe.
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