Insanity on the Shore — Small Stories of a Big God

“Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” Mark 5:19 ESV

He was a mess. Completely insane, living on the street and sleeping in the rain. He had broken every fine law of society and every shackle placed on his arms and legs. Blood scabbed on his skin from his own marks of self-hatred and he cried out with pain and rage. There was no containing him.

When Jesus showed up, on the wrong side of town, the opposite shore of the sea, this was his greeting party – dangerous and certifiably crazy. He shouted at Jesus: “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most-High God?”

I think in our heart-of-hearts we all cry this out into our dark nights. Why in the world would the Son of the Most-High God come across the sea for us? Can't He see we are bleeding and broken? The chains meant to keep us in line are broken and dangling uselessly. The good fine folks of the town make sure they don't come too close.

“What have you to do with me?”

There is conversation while Jesus ignores this objection and goes to the heart of the matter. He looks for what is rotten and cleans house – sending the demons into the bottom of the sea.

He isn’t afraid to deal with your demons. He doesn’t flee from your upraised fist and anger.

If you think you are too much of a mess for God, read the story of the man from Gerasenes. You can find it in the book of Mark 5:1-20. It is sandwiched between Jesus calming the stormy sea and raising the dead daughter of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. And what you will find is that you cannot scare Jesus off with your out-of-control life.

Jesus made a trip through the waves of a storm to land on this man’s rocky shore. He found him bleeding and naked. And didn’t sail away until he was clothed and ‘in his right mind’.

He is able to do the same thing for you.

Question: Do you have a bit of crazy rambling around in your own backyard? It may be a brother, or a daughter, or a parent – or maybe even yourself? Why would God even tell us this story of insanity unless there was a glimmer of hope out there? Will we beg Jesus to leave? Or will we beg him to stay with us? I think that will make all the difference.

Casting Crowns - Just Be Held

“You’re not alone, stop holding on and just be held

Your life's not falling apart it's falling into place

I’m on the Throne, stop holding on and just be held.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIZitK6_IMQ

Photo by Mathias P.R. Reding from Pexels

English Standard Version (ESV)