Do Not Follow Jesus

18As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”20So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. – Mark 5

So get this.  Jesus heals a guy.  His world is rocked.  He decides to leave everything and follow Jesus.  What could be better? He wanted to spend time with the one who healed him.  Instead of making room for him in the boat, Jesus commands this guy not to follow him.

What?  Isn’t that backwards?  I though we were supposed to spend all our time with Jesus?

Jesus evidently had something else in mind.  He gave this guy clear instructions:  Tell the  people (1) how much the Lord had done for you and (2) how he had mercy on you.

The emphasis is not on the hanging out with Jesus, but spreading the word.  I would do well to do the same.  Is it possible to spend too much time with Jesus?  Can we get so enamored with being with God that we don’t share what we know?

What do you think?  Would God rather have us spend time with him or tell others about him?

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This post has 6 comments

  1. I think it\’s important to do both. We follow Jesus by studying His Word, praying and worshipping. On a daily basis we should spend time near to Jesus. But then……… We take the Love of Him that has filled our hearts and spread the good news to the world, beginning with the world closest to us, our family and friends! JESUS ROCKS!!! 🙂

  2. I think he wants us to do both equally. We must spend enough time with him to be able to tell others about him. We must get to know him well enough to be able to love others the way they need. Only he can show us that; but yes, we must step out and not keep the love he has given us to our self, or we will never understand what he means, and feel what love truly is.

    1. Sorry Lisa I missed your post. You nailed it. Love is the answer. Loving like Jesus does. He didn\’t turn the man away He just gave him a different assignment. WOW just imagine if you were the man. Jesus may be saying \”Dude you got it right. No need to follow me, go get \’er done\” Very cool!

  3. I believe that some people are missing the point here. Although it is extremely important to spend time talking, listening and learning with Jesus, we must remember that he is using us to bring others closer to him. To share our knowledge while he reveals his presence to others through us. When Jesus sent theses people away, he was casting them out to spread the word of God. To make his presence know to others. To bring others closer to him. This is our purpose for our journey in our faith. Not just to learn and grow in our own faith, but to bring people closer to our Father. To build faith in Christ through our own faith. So the point is, How many people are you bringing closer to Christ? Are you living in your faith only to help yourself or are you growing in your faith to help bring as many people to Christ as you can? No matter what the status of others is, we are all Gods children, regardless of Color, Creed or Faith. We are all redeemable by Christ and Christ alone. So get out there and tell the world the things you know, but be humble and know we are all sinners regardless of our beliefs. This is why as Christians we must remember how Jesus walked the earth and implement that into our lives. When we do committ a sin it is important to confess and repent. This is apart of our covenent with God. Have a Blessed Day!

  4. I agree with Marsha too but add the commission to the church is to keep the unity. This may be more difficult as it requires a continuos relationship check up (some may say \”they don\’t have time for this) Not doing this creates division and hinders the other commissions. I am preaching to my own choir. JESUS ROCKS IN US!!!

  5. Although it is extremely important to spend time talking, listening and learning with Jesus, we must remember that he is using us to bring others closer to him. To share our knowledge while he reveals his presence to others through us. When Jesus sent theses people away, he was casting them out to spread the word of God. To make his presence know to others. To bring others closer to him. This is our purpose for our journey in our faith. Not just to learn and grow in our own faith, but to bring people closer to our Father. To build faith in Christ through our own faith. So the point is, How many people are you bringing closer to Christ? Are you living in your faith only to help yourself or are you growing in your faith to help bring as many people to Christ as you can? No matter what the status of others is, we are all Gods children, regardless of Color, Creed or Faith. We are all redeemable by Christ and Christ alone. So get out there and tell the world the things you know, but be humble and know we are all sinners regardless of our beliefs. This is why as Christians we must remember how Jesus walked the earth and implement that into our lives. When we do committ a sin it is important to confess and repent. This is apart of our covenent with God. Have a Blessed Day!

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