The Power Of One

I'm sure most of us are very familiar with the account in Mark 5 of Jesus healing the demon-possessed man. This happened in an area of Galilee known as the country of the Gadarenes. This man was out of control and was terrorizing the people and harming himself. After Jesus cast the demons out, the people of the area pleaded with Him to leave. The healed man, now in his right mind, greatly desired to go with Jesus. Jesus' reply to him was, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you" (v.19).

We often wonder why the Lord did not take this enthusiastic convert with Him. After all, couldn't he have been more help to Jesus in His travels rather than left in this area of the fearful, resentful, and unbelieving? Jesus must have left him there for a reason.

Jesus does leave the area in v.21, and that seems to be the end of the account. But a deeper reading reveals a lot more. The former demon-possessed man did indeed proclaim all that Jesus had done for him, and all marveled at this (v.20).

Then, when Jesus returned to the area in Mark 7:31 ff, He was greeted in a much different manner than when He left. Matthew's account states, "Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus' feet, and He healed them. So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel" (Matt.15:30-31).

What an amazing difference! Jesus went from being asked to leave to being welcomed with throngs of people praising His works. What made the difference? One man. One man in the right spot at the right time testifying of what the Savior had done for him. And when their hearts were right, the people listened.

Let this wonderful account remind us of the power of one. Too many times we say, "I am only one person, I can't possibly make a difference." This man made a difference, and so can we. Jesus Christ has healed us from the disease of sin. He has left you here for a reason. Now, "go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you" and see what happens!