Mark wrote how, “he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but said unto him, Go home to your friends, and tell them how great things the Lord has done for you, and has had compassion on you”, and in chapter five and verse twenty of his book, Mark shares how the man, “departed, and began to publish in Decapolis” where we read:
And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis
how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
The verse reads, “And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis ...” Mark began with the words, “and he departed” or “and the man left and went forth”, “and began to publish” which means “and made a beginning, commenced and started to rehearse the things that happened to him” “in Decapolis” or “in a track of land so called from the ten cities that were in it according to Pliny in which these cities were: Damascus, Opoton, Philadelphia, Raphana, Scythopolis, Gadara, Hippondion, Pella, Galasa, and Canatha”. Mark shared how the man began to share his story in this “ten city” area called “Decapolis”.
The verse goes on to say, “... how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.” Mark continued with the words, “how great things” which means “what marvelous, wonderful and many things” “Jesus” which refers to “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation” “had done for him” or “did, made ready, produced and prepared for the man who was formerly possessed by unclean spirits”: “and all men” which means “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the people whether male or female the man encountered” “did marvel” or “wondered in admiration”. Mark shared how the man told people everywhere about his encounter with Jesus to which they responded in “wonder and admiration”.
When we consider Mark's words in this verse, we see what an “evangelist” this man became. He had no formal training, and he certainly had no “degrees” upon which to rely. He only had his testimony of an “encounter” with Jesus Christ, and His words became intrigue and marvel among those whom he told. God desires people who have a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus simply to tell their story, and when others see how their lives were changed by an encounter with Jesus Christ, they too will “wonder and admire” the power of God demonstrated in their lives. God wants to do marvelous things every day, and all who come to Him in humility and repentance will not only be “saved” for all eternity, but also have a story to tell others that will cause “wonder and awe”.
Next time Mark shares what happened, “when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side” again, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
No comments:
Post a Comment