Begging Jesus

I was preparing the Bible study for this Saturday for my teens, and I was just too excited about the message, that I thought I'd share it with you.

It's from Mark 5:1-20; the story about the demon possessed man. Many know him as Legion, as he had a legion (approximately 6K) demons inside of him.

Obviously, as every story about Christ, there is so much to say, but I will focus on the three groups of people who begged Jesus for something.

1.) First, comes the demons themselves, who beg Jesus to be thrown into the pigs. "If you're going to do anything to us, please send us there," they seem to say. And Jesus says okay. In the Spanish, it says he gives them permission, which is an interesting, and underlying theme of the relationship between God and the evil forces in this world--they have to ask permission to do anything (See first chapter of Job).

2.) The people who have known the demon-possessed man all their life no longer have the town weirdo. Frightened by the sudden normality of the man, they beg Jesus to leave. He gives no verbal response, or at least none is indicated, but is found to be getting on the boat to leave right away.

3.) The man himself begs Jesus for the opportunity to accompany him. Jesus says no.

Isn't that odd? The one guy in the story that actually has good intentions with his request is told no. The demons definitely weren't ready to change their hearts and follow Christ; the people of the area were afraid, and maybe even a little angry at losing a tourist revenue ("Beware of the crazy dude we can't keep chained!" very circus freak-like). This guy is excited to begin his new life side by side with God in the flesh.

But... no.

Jesus instead asks him to share with his family and friends what has happened in his life. Stay and tell your story. "And the people were amazed."

I've been hit recently by another Biblical realization. Amidst the discussions on when someone should get baptized and what-not, there are several examples of conversion baptism in which the person does so right away. No waiting. No verifying to make sure they understood it to begin with. They feel it, they get dunked. It's a testimony to how much has changed in their life. They can't help but share. Let's be better at telling our stories to those we know, where we are.

For while many of us will beg Jesus to get us out of the "hell hole," we don't realize that it's exactly where we're supposed to be so that they may marvel at the work He has done in you.

Like the coach and his team. You know the coach cares when he's calling you out. He wants what's best for you. It's hard to hear "no," but may we remember it's because He's got a bigger, better plan (sounds familiar.. "His good, pleasing and perfect will"... "God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose"). And that's all she wrote.

Chau.