SHEW HOW GREAT THINGS GOD HATH DONE

What a marvelous transformation in the life of this man! From a mind tormented by demons to being ‘in his right mind’. From a man running wild through the tombs untamed and untamable to ‘sitting at the feet of Jesus’. From being unclothed to ‘clothed’. Every aspect of his life had been touched and healed by the command of the Lord Jesus. This one who was no good to himself or anyone else is now capable of being a respectable member of society. One would think this would bring a collective sigh of relief and a hearty thanks to the One who had brought sanity and quietness to this one so tormented. But instead they were afraid of such power. They feared such a Person that could and would transform lives and occupations and maybe even society. That would not do and thus they rejected the Lord and asked Him to leave.

The Lord desired to reach these people. They had rejected Him so how was He to reach them? He would use this very man that had been transformed by Him. The man, quite naturally, wanted to be with the One who had healed him and given him freedom from these many demons. But the Lord had a work for him to do that only he could accomplish. So he went back to the place that had rejected the Lord to show them what the Lord had done.

The Lord is being openly rejected by the world in which we live. He desires to reach that world and has done all that He can do. His great sacrifice prepares the way for all to come to Him. He is no longer here. But we are. Paul could say to the Philippians, ‘For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you’, Phil. 1. 23-24. It is our privilege and responsibility to be witnesses in this world for the Lord and His great work of transforming lives.

The Lord said that he should ‘return ... and shew’, v. 39, not ‘tell’. It was the witness of the man’s life that would be so powerful. The greatest witness we have and need to cultivate is the witness of our lives. The power of lives transformed by Him is a witness no one can deny. What is your life showing?