So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones. [Mark 5.1-5]
All I could think of today when reading the accounts of this event involving Jesus and this guy was a scripture found in day before yesterday's One Year Chronological Bible reading:
Let me illustrate this further. Who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house. [Mark 3.27]
The man Jesus encountered in today's reading was notoriously strong. Jesus did not encounter the man with physical strength but with spiritual strength.
What's the point? There is indeed a physical realm in which we live and move about. At times, the physical realm can be be overwhelming whether it is a strong man, a threatening storm, a physical infirmity, or a material obstacle. All these things, formidable as they may seem, are subject to the authority of God. And, guess who has (or is supposed to have) the authority of God?
Consider this:
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. [Matthew 28.18-19]
And this:
Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” [John 20.21]
And this:
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]
I HAVE THE AUTHORITY OF GOD! YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY OF GOD!
FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST HAVE THE AUTHORITY OF GOD!
At least, they are supposed to...
So, why don't we see God's authority on display today like we did with Jesus?
Don't expect a proud religious answer here! The reason we do not see the authority of Christ today like we did in Jesus is because we are NOT IN CHRIST and HE IS NOT IN US! Yes, I said it. The ONLY reason we don't see the power of God is because we are not operating IN CHRIST. Oh, be sure that we are operating in religion and theology and doctrines... but just not CHRIST! If we were, all authority would be seen through our lives because JESUS SAID IT WOULD! So, if it's not, it's not Jesus' fault but ours.
What do we do? We REPENT! We turn from our religion, our pride, our idolatry, our self-infatuation, and we repent in genuine broken humility. We become followers of Christ in deed instead of just in word. We take up our cross and follow Jesus. We forsake all to be found in Him. We strive to be one of the few with fruit will prove it.
“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. [Matthew 7.13-20]
Compared with what Jesus said here, do we really think mainstream Christianity is heaven bound? I don't think so.
Father, this has been difficult to write today because it indicts me. Forgive me for playing religion and thinking all is well. Forgive me that my life does not bear fruit identifying me as Christ's. Forgive me for judging my spiritual condition contrary to Your Word. Just the scriptures referenced today speak truth that my failure to overcome the "strong men" I have encountered is clear evidence that I am not a "stronger man." Please forgive me as I understand my forgiveness is bound up in my forgiving.
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