His life, torture. His neighbors, tormented. A man possessed.

Demons controlled his body. When strong men tried to subdue him, he fought and won. When officials tried to chain him, demonic power shattered iron. He screamed day and night and cut his flesh with rocks.

This man saw Jesus.

The demons saw Jesus.

The demons realized they were in trouble. Jesus drove the demons out of that tortured man.

This man was overwhelmed joy! He loved his Savior. He wanted to be with Jesus twenty-four hours a day. Jesus was about to leave. The man asked if he could come along.

Jesus says, “No.”

Cruel? Uncaring? Not at all. This man was specially qualified for a special job. Jesus said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

So many knew what that man had been like. What a unique opportunity for this new follower of Jesus to talk to the people who knew him best. His changed life was a living witness to the power of his Savior and the love of his Lord.

Your Lord has done amazing things for you. As the Holy Spirit leads you to be confident that in Jesus your sins are forgiven and eternal life is yours, you too want to follow Jesus.

“Can I come along?” you may ask. Jesus says to you, “You are specially qualified for a special job. Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you.”

Has the Lord placed very close to you opportunities to share the sobering news of sin and the calming reality of forgiveness? Do you have family members or coworkers, neighbors or friends who think that heaven can be theirs because of their good actions? Do you know people who are burdened by guilt and whose lives are a never-ending attempt to escape an accusing conscience?

You have words of divine warning. You have words of eternal comfort.

You know of ears which need to hear.

May the Lord give you patience, wisdom, confidence, and joy as you share the mercy God has shown to you.