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"When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid" (Mark 5:15 NIV).
"They came up to Jesus and saw the madman sitting there wearing decent clothes and making sense, no longer a walking madhouse of a man" (Mark 5:15 The Message).
Life with Jesus calms our chaotic souls.
Mark 4 ends with a terrifying storm and an equally terrified group of disciples who, after Jesus calmed the storm, asked, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"
This story in Mark 5 ends with the people who had been terrified of the demonized man now terrified of Jesus. Everything Jesus touched was calm. Everyone who began to realize he was no ordinary man was at least a little on edge. Everyone, that is, except a formerly tortured soul who now sat at ease, clothed and in his right mind.
We have been in some chaotic storms, haven't we?
We have spent time with chaotic people, have we not?
Jesus would later say in those final hours before he was nailed to the cross, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid," (John 14:27).
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!" (John 16:33).
Jesus really is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6, 7). "Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end."
If your life lacks peace, you need more Jesus.
This is in one way a gross oversimplification, the kind of thought you might hear preached or taught altogether too simplistically.
In another way, it is the absolute truth. Jesus alone ultimately calms the storms of our lives and the chaos in our souls.
In Mark 4:38 and 39, the disciples asked, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" Jesus "got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm."
Jesus cared.
Jesus did not care like a politician. He cared like the Prince of Peace and Mighty God. The winds and waves know his name and obey his commands.
Jesus cared about the wild and insane man living in the tombs who could not be restrained. He cared like the Prince of Peace and Mighty God. The demons obeyed his commands. The man was released and commissioned to "Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you," (verse 19).
Who will you tell today about what Jesus has done for you?
What chaos exists within you and around you today? Take Jesus with you. Invite him to address your anxiety. Allow him to do what only he can do. When he does what only he can do, there will be peace and there will be awe.
Life with Jesus calms the chaos in our hearts. Jesus brings peace to tumultuous circumstances. Jesus brings peace to troubled souls.
More Jesus, please.
Our Father, we need your peace. We need your presence. We need your resolution to the chaos around us and within us. Thank you for providing the peace of your presence no matter what we face, no matter what we endure. Amen.
 | David Bowman, (DMin, PCC) is the Executive Director of Tarrant Baptist Association in Fort Worth, Texas. He also serves as a Multiplying Trainer for Future Church Co. Learn More » |
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