Can I Go With You?

“Can I go with you?” It was the most reasonable of requests. In fact, anyone with his experience would feel exactly the same way. Even though he shattered the physical chains used to restrain him, his situation created chains which would torment and destroy his hope. Jesus freed him from the demons and healed him. Only Jesus gave him hope.

In Mark 5, we see a real life portrait of how powerfully Jesus changes a life. This man who was possessed by a legion of demons learned that “if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation.” That is why he wanted to go with Jesus.

As a new believer, he had to learn the same lesson that everyone must learn. We are not only saved FROM the shackles of sin. We are saved TO something more profound. We are saved to a personal role in God’s plan of redemption. Jesus told him to share his testimony of God’s compassion and “what great things the Lord” did for him. Jesus turns the circumstances of our sinful life into a tool for evangelism. It is called a testimony.

We all must learn the same lesson. While most are glad to avoid hell, too many are not obedient to the greater truth of salvation. When you were saved, you were given a testimony. Jesus expects you- before your circle of influence- to share how God made you a new creation. Every testimony is precious because it was purchased by Jesus’ blood. It is too valuable to be wasted. It is too powerful to be ignored. “Go home to your friends and tell then what great things the Lord has done for you.”