Purpose and Opposition

When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. [Mark 5.6]

Wow, this seems like such an appropriate response to Jesus, doesn't it?

But alas, context is everything when understanding the Bible, so we are compelled to understand the setting in which this event took place. And what a setting it was!

Here is what led up to this:

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]

It turns out, this man was a demon-possessed raving mad lunatic with extraordinary strength that everyone feared and consequently could not subdue or control.

There are two things that stand out to me about this story.

First, Jesus went to this man. Their meeting was not circumstantial or random. Jesus traveled by boat to get to this man in the face of a raging storm and then, after encountering the man, got right back on the boat and returned to where He came from. Jesus went to this dangerous lunatic for the express purpose of delivering him.

Next, upon seeing Jesus arrive, the man came out of the tombs and ran to Jesus. Why did he run? We can enter all kinds of speculation here, but it would seem, based upon his known condition and history, that this powerful demon-possessed individual ran to Jesus to do Him and His companions bodily harm.

With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.” [Mark 5.7-8]

From the narrative, we are told that while this man was running Jesus called the evil spirit out of him - prior to any introductions! Then, what followed was a confirmation that the man was not running to Jesus 'for a hug.' “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!”

And here, at this point, after it was apparent that the man was powerless to harm or invoke fear in Jesus, the introductions began! Jesus asked the man his name. And, even though it was too late for the demon's response that would have otherwise invoked fear and trembling, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man...” the evil spirits had already been put on notice by the authoritative words spoken by Jesus to release the man. When the intimidating name, "Legion" did not phase Jesus or cause Him to recant His command, the spirits acknowledged submission and asked to take possession of a herd of pigs. They left the man. He was restored to sanity and was grateful to Jesus for it.

What is there to be learned from this story? Purpose and opposition. Any time we operate with purpose in the Kingdom of God, we can expect opposition.

Jesus got in the boat for no other reason than the purpose to free the demoniac from his possessors. And then there was the initial opposition of a storm. This was not just rough seas, but a storm to end life. If Jesus experienced this, we can expect the same.

The demoniac ran to Jesus for no other reason than to hurt Him. Once again there was an opportunity to survey the circumstances (like in the storm) in fear, but Jesus fearlessly and authoritatively advanced toward His opposition in the powerful purpose of the Spirit of God.

In all the opposition Jesus faced in reaching the demoniac, He faced death itself. In both circumstances mentioned here, Jesus simply spoke with authority. In the storm He said "Peace, be still!" and to the demoniac He said "Come out of him!"

Should this story not inspire us to do God's work with purpose? I mean, what are we gonna do? Die? If only we would be so blessed! Our lives are not ours to preserve (as if we could, anyway). Ours is to do God's will with all the authority of the Spirit. Why do we need that authority? Because there will be opposition!

Now before we get the idea that all opposition will be overcome just because we say so, let us first qualify that opposition by our purpose! If we are not convinced of our 'direction' (purpose) enough to die for it because we know it is the work of God, then our encounters with opposition might just be devices of our own disobedience. But this was not the case with Jesus - ever... So that is why we should strive to remain "in Christ" so that our purpose is nothing less than the purpose and will of God.

Father, help us to qualify our purpose by our opposition and consequently qualify our opposition by our purpose.