“Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him.” – Mark 5:17-18

Jesus had just cast a legion of demons out of a man everyone knew to be violently possessed, sending them into a herd of pigs. When the pig herders told the townspeople, they ran to the edge of town and found the possessed man in his right mind, fully clothed and whole again.

In the way humans do when we can’t understand something of ultimate truth that seems too good to be real, the townspeople begged Jesus to leave. Don’t cause us trouble, was the sentiment. Listen sir, we’re not sure what you’re selling, but you’re freaking us out, so move along please.

But the man who had the demons. He didn’t want to go home. He didn’t want to tell his family. He didn’t want to get any of his belongings or hug his wife. All he wanted was to follow his savior.

The new freedom he had from those years of torture came at the command of a power neither Earth or Hell could have called down, and it was made of the love that sacrificed for all mankind. Of course he wanted to follow Christ, to the ends of the Earth I’m sure.

Weird comparison, but you see those videos on Facebook about the little shelter dog that can’t quit licking the face of its new adopted owner. That should be all of us. We all remember a time in a cage, where it seemed as though we’d never know Home, and if you have a personal relationship with Christ, you remember the day that changed.

On the day you accepted the gift of love and salvation from the things that possess and oppress you, did you beg to follow Jesus wherever He leads?

Do you do that now?

Follow Him. The miracles are real, and what He is leading us to is far greater than anything we’ll find ourselves. ❤️