Binding Broken Hearts

Introducing Jesus to Those Who Need Him Most

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The Value of One - Part 7

It started one evening in a boat that was caught in a terrible storm. The disciples had been fighting the storm for a while trying to keep the boat afloat, and although they were seasoned fisherman, they were losing the battle. Finally, remembering that Jesus was asleep in the back of the boat, the disciples awakened Him.

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39

They finished their journey that night in peace, arriving on the other side of the Sea of Galilee the next morning. Where they landed, however, was not an accident. There was a plan.

I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. John 5:30

Jesus had an appointment in Gennesaret (also known as the land of the Gadarenes).

And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. Mark 5:2-5

Imagine the sight of the man running toward Jesus – a man possessed by a demon, broken chains around his wrists and ankles, open sores and scars from where he had cut himself, torn clothing, and matted hair. That’s a sight to send anyone running in the opposite direction.

Except Jesus. This is why He had come.

The demon in the man start screaming at Jesus. Jesus silences the demon. Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” Mark 5:9

Jesus commands the demons to leave the man. They don’t want to go. They bargain with Jesus.

Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.” And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea. Mark 5:11-13

While all this was going on, those who had been herding the pigs dashed back to town to relate what was happening by the sea shore. When the townspeople came rushing toward Jesus, they had a surprise they did not expect.

Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. Mark 5:15

Did you catch that? The townspeople weren’t happy that the demon-possessed man was finally free, sane, and clothed. Instead they were afraid, and, frankly, angry that their income source – the pigs – was gone. So they demanded that Jesus leave. And Jesus complied.

Imagine, however, how the former demon-possessed man felt. His liberator was leaving.

And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. Mark 5:18

All this man wanted to was to devote his life to following Jesus wherever He went. And Jesus said, “No.”

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.” And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled. Mark 5:19, 20

Jesus had another plan for him. The man was to go as a missionary and tell everyone what Jesus had done for him. And that’s exactly what he did. We're told in a later chapter in Mark that as a result of this man sharing his story, many people in that region came to believe in Jesus and wanted to follow Jesus when He came the second time.

What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!” I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:4-7

What if Jesus had not gone to that part of the Sea of Galilee at that particular time? What if Jesus had turned away from such a horrible creature who ran screaming at Him? What if Jesus had deemed this man not worth saving?

Remember, God values the “one.” God may ask us to go to a certain place at a certain time and we don’t want to go. We need to do it anyway. God may ask us to minister to someone who resembles a creature more than a human. We need to do it anyway.  God may ask us to give of ourselves to someone whom we deem as not worth saving. We need to do it anyway. God knows the hearts of the people He sends us to. He knows the hearts that are reaching out to Him regardless of what the outside looks like. And God needs us to reach those reaching hearts.

Do you want to join in heaven's mission to reach one inmate with the gospel that could change his/her life for eternity? If so, please consider becoming a financial partner with us. Click here to see how you can help. You may be the one God is looking for.

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