Today, I want to focus our attention on a man who by all natural appearance is a totally hopeless case. So hopeless in fact, we would probably classify him as insane and needing to be locked up forever. We do not know his complete story or the events that took place that led him down this dark and troubled road, but we will meet him where he currently resides – in a cemetery.
Yes, he is living in a cemetery. Now I don’t know about you, but a cemetery is not my first choice of residency – maybe my last, but certainly not my first or second, or third, or forth, or fifth – I think you get my point. Anyway, he is a man who is controlled by many evil spirits and is living among the dead. All day and night he walks around the tombs screaming and cutting himself with stones. No one is able to restrain him. Whenever chains are wrapped around his wrist and shackles strapped around his feet he would snap them in his rage.
This man is what many of us would deem a hopeless case, mentally ill, an outcast or a menace to society. As I sit here pondering his story, I can’t help but wonder what in the world brought this man to this rock-bottom place. Was it rejection, abandonment, fear, insecurity, failure, the loss of a loved one, witchcraft, an addiction, guilt, shame? I don’t know and God doesn’t give us any indication as to what caused this man to wind up in such a terrible state. But bless his heart, he is in need of a life-changing miracle and our Father is about to show up bigtime!
According to 1 Samuel 16:7 God does not look on man’s outward appearance, He looks at a man’s heart. Knowing that, I just wonder if somehow, somewhere, he had the courage to cry out for help from the depths of his heart wanting a fresh start in life. Or maybe someone that knew him began to pray for his deliverance and God heard their prayers. Either way, Jesus - who only did what His Father instructed Him to do - makes a special trip across the Sea of Galilee to the region of Gerasenes to set him free. And set him free He does!
After this man’s encounter with Jesus he was totally delivered from demonic oppression and clothed and in his right mind! He was so touched by Jesus’ love and power that he wanted to follow Jesus wherever He went, he never wanted to leave Him. Obviously Jesus had a much more significant plan for his life because He sent him back to his hometown to tell everyone what great things the Lord had done for him and how He had had compassion him. Hummm, sounds like He made an evangelist out of him! (You can find this story in Mark 5)
Once again, our Father has given us a beautiful story of His love, redemption, forgiveness, compassion, healing and deliverance. That is what our Father is all about. Jesus not only came to make this man whole again, but He also gave him a new purpose in life! Our God is full of compassion on those we consider too far gone and He can do astounding things with those who have been deemed hopeless. All things are possible with God! Pray and only believe…