How Fast Do You Want To Go?

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“How fast do you want to go?” That was the question asked of me while traveling on the Autobahn in Germany. My friend, Scott, was driving a Mustang Bullitt with a 4.6-liter engine. My reply was, “Let’s see how fast this car can go.” Before I knew it, my head was thrown back into the headrest and 120 mph was surpassed. It was exhilarating as the speed filled my body with adrenaline. On the Autobahn, there are no limits.

As I think about the good news offered by Jesus to our broken world, I imagine Jesus wants His followers to understand that there are no limits to what can be accomplished. My experience in discussing the offering of good news by believers to the world is that most actually see limits. Some of the limits most Christians envision are: that they are not competent to share the good news, they need more knowledge, abilities, passion or training. But what if Jesus sees things differently? Can His vision be trusted or should believers rely on their own perspective? How fast do you want to go in seeing the gospel expanded through you?

Jesus’ perspective on this topic can be explored in Mark 5. In this chapter, there is the story of a man who had been demonized for some time and Jesus’ encounter with him (Mark 5:1–20). This man was isolated to a graveyard due to his demonization. He was violent, tormented and emotionally, relationally, physically and spiritually broken. This passage says that others had tried to restrain him with chains and ropes, but he broke them all. Mark 5:5 tells us about this man’s pain “Constantly, night and day, he was screaming among the tombs and in the mountains, and gashing himself with stones.” Jesus and His disciples landed their boat on the shore near where this unnamed man spent his days.

As Jesus and His followers got out of their boat on the shore of the Gerasene region, the man immediately ran towards them. The demonized man ran up to Jesus and bowed down before Him (Mark 5:6). In Jesus’ interaction with this man, He casts the demons out of Him. Jesus gave the many demons who were tormenting this man permission to enter a herd of two thousand swine. The herd ran headlong over a cliff and perished in the sea. This caused great commotion in the region as the herdsmen ran back to their villages, reporting what just happened. The death of the swine would certainly bring economic devastation to the region and the people of the villages were angry. Many of the people came to Jesus and demanded He and His followers leave. Jesus and His disciples headed back to their boat.

As the boat was shoving off the shore, the man formally demonized ran to Jesus and begged to go with Jesus. He was so grateful to be relieved from his burden, that he believed his best option was to become a follower of Jesus. But Jesus’ response is stunning.

This man was a non-Jew who likely had no understanding of Jewish teaching nor of their Messiah. All he knew was that he had been so broken and now he was so whole…he wanted to be part of whatever Jesus was up to.

Jesus’ response to his request to become a follower of His was, no! Jesus said to this man, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” This man only knew what had happened to him and that a man named Jesus had given him his life back. He was so thirsty for more.

In the last verse of this story, we read, “And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him, and everyone was amazed.” A man who had been demonized for a long time was now made whole by Jesus and he told ten-cities (Decapolis) what Jesus had done for him and how He had mercy on him. The whole area was amazed. The next time Jesus came to this area (Mark 6:53–56), the people recognized Him and brought them many to be healed. This is a result of one new believer’s obedience to tell the simple message of how Jesus had healed him and had mercy on him. The truth of Jesus spread fast because of one man who had been made whole.

When believers are obedient to share the good news of Christ, things can change rapidly. So, how fast do you want to go? Be obedient and share what Jesus has done for you and how He has had mercy on you!

Feel free to leave your thoughts and comments below!

For more information on your natural ability to share the gospel go to www.wildfiregospel.com