What Everyone Can Do...

This morning, Karie shared a paragraph with me that she'd read in Ministry of Healing. We both really liked this story because it takes the gospel commission and makes it something that anyone who knows Jesus can do. Many times, I think I don't know very much. What can I do? But Jesus has done something for me, this is enough! This in itself is the qualification. All I'm called to do is to share what He's already done.

(The context for the story is in Matthew 8 & Mark 5.)
Two helpless men, so controlled by Satan that no one could stand to be around them, the disciples fled them in terror, and when their Savior appeared they charged at Him to kill him.

This situation didn't alarm Jesus. He'd just stilled a storm on the sea, and He knew the longing deep within the stormy hearts of those demoniacs, and He knew that He was able to still this storm too. (Oh, for that kind of peace in the face of such a storm... I know it's only possible if I stand next to this Jesus, and let Him brave the storm for me.)

Soon there were two healed men, two transformed me, two men who were lost but now found. They sat there at Jesus' feet. They wanted to never be separated from Him who had showed them such mercy, love and blessing. But in His wisdom, Jesus had another plan. Go, go back home.

"The two restored demoniacs were the first missionaries whom Christ sent to teach the gospel in the region of Decapolis. For a short time only, these men had listened to His words. Not one sermon from His lips had ever fallen upon their ears. They could not instruct the people as the disciples who had been daily with Christ were able to do. But they could tell what they knew; what they themselves had seen, and heard, and felt of the Savior's power. This is what everyone can do whose heart has been touched by the grace of God. This is the witness for which our Lord calls, and for want of which the world is perishing." ~Ministry of Healing, page 99

This story is like a mini picture of the Great Controversy.

Jesus came to their town. The people there begged Him to leave, so He did. (Love won't force itself where it isn't waned. It can't stay when asked to leave.) But Jesus didn't give up on the town. He sent the healed men back to their hometown area. Maybe they'd get who He was if some of their own people went and told them. (Sometimes God in all His power is too much for we humans to take.)

Jesus came to our world. We rejected and crucified our Savior. He died and later went back to heaven. But this doesn't mean He's not intensely interested in what's going on here or about people's misconceptions of His love. He doesn't give up! When Jesus went back to heaven, He sent His disciples out as His representatives.

Later in Jesus' ministry, He returned to the Decapolis area, and this time the people received him gladly. What does this say to me regarding my role and position in the Great Controversy today? He's coming back!