Why do we hesitate to share Jesus with the world? As I read in Mark today the story of the possessed man stood out to me. The main thing that stood out was at the end when Jesus was leaving and the man asked him if he could go with him. This is how Jesus responded: Mark 5:19-20 But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them." The man not only went home he went to ten towns in the region and shared. We should have the same excitement because Jesus has done everything for us by dying for our sins and resurrecting to bridge the gap to the Father.
We need to always be growing so we learn and our heart is glad for what He has done. I am so excited because Jesus said it was finished, I don't have to hope He will do something, He already has. Look what Jesus said about the soil in Mark chapter 4:8, "Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” That’s the kind if soil I see the possessed man being. This is where we all need to be in our faith, believing in the hope of things to come and excited because we know our Lord and Savior.
We have started our powerful living classes at The Rock Church this past Wednesday and during our study on love pastor Kevin said "we need to carry His mission into a (commission) or co- mission. That us what the possessed man did, he went into all the region and shared telling them about what Jesus had done. Matthew 28:19-20 says, "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” That will take us learning how to love like Jesus and live like Him as well. Without a strong relationship with Him we will not be able co-mission with Him and we will not feel the joy that comes with truly following Him.
Look at the parable of the scattered seed and see how the world hindered the growth of people who believed and squashed their joy. Mark 4:15-20 "The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” We keep the fire burning and the excitement alive by living out what we see Jesus showing us and be a light that will reflect for people to see. Amen