Tuesday: Telling the Story of Jesus
Who were the first missionaries that Jesus ever sent out? They were not among the disciples. They were not among His long-time followers. The first missionaries that Jesus sent out had been mad men, demoniacs who a few hours before had terrorized the countryside and struck fear into the hearts of the neighboring villagers.
Image © Phil McKay at Goodsalt.com
With supernatural demonic power, one of these demoniacs broke the chains that bound him, shrieked in horrific tones, and mutilated his own body with sharp stones. The agony in their voices only reflected a deeper agony in their souls (Matthew 8.28-29; Mark 5:1-5).
But then they met Jesus, and their lives were changed. They would never be the same. Jesus drove the tormenting demons out of their bodies into a herd of pigs and over a cliff into the sea (Matthew 8:32-34; Mark 5.13-14).
Read Matthew 8:28-34. What happened to these men, and what did the townspeople find when they came out to see what had happened?
The demoniacs were now new men transformed by the power of Christ. The town’s people found them sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to every word from the Master’s mouth. We should note that Matthew’s gospel says that there were two demoniacs delivered, while Mark’s gospel focuses the story on only one of the two. But the point is, Jesus restored them physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Read Mark 5:18-20. Obviously the changed demoniac, this new convert, wanted to stay with Jesus, but what did Christ send him to do?
“For a few moments only these men had been privileged to hear the teachings of Christ. 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 bore in their own persons the evidence that Jesus was the Messiah. They could tell what they knew; what they themselves had seen, and heard, and felt of the power of Christ. This is what everyone can do whose heart has been touched by the grace of God”. — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 340. Their testimonies prepared Decapolis, ten cities on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, to receive the teachings of Jesus. This is the power of personal testimony.
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One of the things about trying to teach folk that a plant-based diet is good for them is the perception that such a diet is deadly boring. They think of boiled cabbage and raw bean sprouts. When I get involved with health programs I like to give the participants a good serve of my totally plant-based mango or raspberry ice cream with the invitation, "Let this slide past your tastebuds!" They always want more. It's that good, seriously!
And for many people nowadays, the perception of Christianity is that it is deadly boring. Christians sit in church believing the impossible, listening to what an incredibly bad sinner they are. Further, there is a whole wall of hypocrisy - Christians saying one thing but looking after themselves rather than others. There is a real need to put the "taste" back into Christianity.
If we have the sort of relationship with Jesus that shows a love for life and others, then others will want some too. You can talk all you like about Christianity, but unless it shows that you are enjoying your relationship with Jesus, you sound like a parent trying to convince a child that they better take their medicine because it is good for them.
Don't get me wrong. There is a time for soul-searching and taking bitter medicine in our Christian experience, but the joy of our relationship with God has to shine though to our relationship with others.
Is the story of our relationship with Jesus the kind that will attract the hard-bitten skeptical unchurched modernist?
Following on from today's lesson and Maurice's input, imagine the following situation.
You strike up a conversation with someone and in the course of that conversation, the opportunity naturally arises and you ask the other person, "So, what do you reckon of what is going on in this country/world at the moment and how do reckon things will turn out?
After the person tells you their thoughts, they ask you, "So, what do you reckon?"
You respond something along the lines that "Well, if my Bible is correct, I believe that this world is in fact in the process of 'passing-away' (1 John 2:17) and a that renewed one will take its place (Revelation 21:1)..."
The other person then asks "So, you are a Christian?" to which you reply, "Yes, I have a relationship with God".
"A relationship with God?" responds the other person. "What on earth is that?"
What would you say next...? (How would you describe what it means to have a relationship with God and what your relationship is like?)
Looking at the the picture from Goodsalt, made me realize that the best witness is someone who has been through similar experiences and through the power of the LORD has been changed. I could imagine that the people of Decapolis had been involved in spiritualism and that this man was an extreme example of allowing the spirits to enter his life, thus his restoration was amazing to them. However I doubt that it would have appealed to a strict Pharisee like Saul before his Damascus experience.
The LORD needs all types to reach others, I am a concrete thinker but my brothers are abstract thinkers, so we hardly speak the same language. I think of the difference between Peter and Paul, Peter was the action man while Paul was the studious thinking man.
We should always treat others with kindness but not be surprised when my story does not always impress. But the Good News is that the Holy Spirit often brings people across your path that need to hear your particular story.
So who will attract the hard-bitten skeptical unchurched modernist? Probably one who was like them and has been transformed!
The first missionaries that Jesus commissioned were the two healed demoniacs in the story told in Matthew, chapter eight. The profound transformation of these unfortunate men was enough to make them powerful witnesses for the Savior in the ten cities around the Sea of Galilee.
The fifth chapter of Mark also tells of this event, even though Mark seems to remember only one demoniac who was healed on the shores of Galilee that day. Perhaps it was only one who tried to join the disciples, when they were about to leave.
When we read this story now, we are made to feel the same love for God and the power He has to transform us as those who originally heard it.
Most of us can recall experiences from our past that testify of God’s love and power to save us. These are the kinds of stories we can share with others. Even though our story may be less dramatic, people will pay attention because they happened to us personally.
Jesus was mindful of the impact of personal stories. As a matter of fact, Mark records how the demoniac begged to go with Jesus and His disciples, when they were about to leave in their boat. But Jesus told him, “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.” (Mark 5:19)
Usually, I only engage in a specific, scripture-based conversation if I find that the other party is receptive. Issues related to Scripture can only be talked about satisfactorily if both are interested to discovering Truth and believe in God.
I do my witnessing usually in the setting of every day's life - mostly through a good 'attitude'. A scowling, inward looking disposition does not see the opportunities presenting themselves everywhere one looks. The positive outlook on life regardless the circumstances will always be the right 'attitude' when 'reaching out'.
So, I make every effort to present myself as the child of God who is confidently resting in being loved by her Father and feels secure in His care.
Simple, kind comments made about something observed, addressing the person one stands nearby to say a word or two, bringing sunshine into a dreary atmosphere through presenting an uplifting 'attitude', these are the 'dam-of-separation' breakers that help start a conversation.
Every kind, encouraging word spoken, every little bit of God's positive energy spread into the gray of every day's life is a special gift from God to whoever it touches.
All things that are good come from God! Don't think only of the big things, think as well of all the many little things one does and thinks or plans as coming from God. They are all based on one's loving disposition, compassion for one's fellow man dispersed throughout the day.
There are many, many more little occasions to express the love of God than there are the big ones.
There is a beautiful hymn that says, tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word...
Telling the Story of Jesus
Is the story of Jesus my story? Are people loss for words when they hear about the saving grace of God in our lives?
What are our stories? What has Jesus done for his church? What is Jesus continually doing for his church and his people? The greatest story is for one to tell about the saving and transforming power of the Holy Spirit in our everyday life. This is not only our spiritual life, but our life in totality. Our physical, spiritual, mental and social life. No one wants to listen or emulate anyone who calls themselves Christian who is so engrossed in heaven they forgot about people on earth. Neither no one wants to hear from a Christian who is so engrossed with the things and worries of this world that it is difficult to speak about heaven and point others to Jesus.
Sometimes I avoid some Christians because every time you are in a conversation they always speak about the worries and troubles of this world, how things are bad, all the negatives of life. I sometimes worry if Jesus had not done anything for them. Some Christians look at the glass half full while others half empty. Some will praise God for at lease having something in the glass, or even having a glass. Many times when we pray, what is our desire? Do we tell Jesus what we want, or do we accept what he gives us according to his will? Blessing upon blessing escape Christians because we are spiritually blind to the leading of the spirit.
We need to let out light shine so men will see us and glorify our father which is in heaven.