Don't keep it to yourselves!

Scripture: Mark 5: 19: “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

Observations:  In Numbers 19 the Israelites were given the instructions for purifying the temple.  One of the requirements was for a red heifer without defects.  I don’t really know how rare these are today, but I know a few years ago there was quite the excitement about a red heifer being born in Israel because it would be there when they rebuild the temple.  In Numbers 20 the people grumble again (shock, shock…)  Moses is told to speak to a rock and it will pour fourth water, but instead, in his anger, he struck it with his staff.  Because of that one error of disobedience, Moses was not allowed to go into the promised land.  Also in 20, Aaron passes away and the position of high priest is passed on to his son Eleazar. Psalm 28 is a cry for help, but it ends on a high note.  “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him.” (Verse 7)  In Mark, Jesus healed a man with many demons and the demons run a herd of pigs into the sea to drown.  I bet if the townspeople knew who it was they ran out of town, they would have been shamed.  Jesus brought a little girl back to life. That was a miracle I doubt anyone ever expected to observe.

Application:  For those of us who have been down about as low as you can go, Jesus’ love and healing bring great excitement.  We want to just cling to him.  That wasn’t what Jesus wanted the man from the Gerasenes to do.  When we are given much, much is expected of us.  What was expected of him, was to go out and evangelize!

Prayer:  Lord, many of us have family and friends who do not know you, or do not accept you.  Give us holy boldness to do as Jesus instructed the man from the Gerasenes to do.  Show us how to reach them for you Lord.  Guide us in giving our testimonies.  Amen

​Tomorrow’s Reading:  Numbers 21-23; Mark 6,7