Episode #180: Why Are We Here?
They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of Gerasenes. When He got out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him, and he had his dwelling among the tombs. And no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain; because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him and the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. (Mark 5: 1-4)
The first thing I want to focus on is the realization of a kept promise. Near the end of chapter 4, Jesus told the disciples, “Let’s cross over to the other side.” There was an adventure of a stormy sea right after that verse and a demonstration of the authority Jesus had over the wind and the seas. But, Jesus and the disciples landed safely on the other side, just as He had promised. Promise made. Promise kept.
But why were they going to that spot to begin with? It could be imagined that Jesus was trying to take a break from the crowds that had followed them to the edge of the sea. We have seen Him withdraw to solitude before. Maybe the disciples thought they were heading out to get some more in-depth teaching from Jesus without the distraction of people trying to get to Him for healing, sort of like a church staff retreat. When they landed, they quickly learned that this was no vacation destination. Mark says they were immediately greeted by a man with an unclean spirit. We will discuss in another post just how bad off this guy was. For now let’s just say he had it rough.
This man was the reason for the trip. This man’s troubles were why Jesus crossed the sea and faced the storm. Jesus stepped into the boat to go to this man in the same way he stepped out of Heaven to come to us. There was a purpose in the journey, an assignment waiting at the next landing. Jesus didn’t go anywhere on accident. He didn’t just happen to be somewhere for no reason. Every place He stepped was intentional and deliberate. In the same way, when we surrender our lives to follow Jesus and let Him guide our steps, every journey we take is purposeful, every destination comes with an assignment.
Let us be a people who look for the purpose in the journey. Let us arrive at each destination with this question in mind, “Why are we here?” While we take in the scenery, let us also be intentional and deliberate for the Kingdom of God in every port we land.
Love Y’all! Be Blessed!
Let Us Be A People 