Bye to the past

The man had been dwelling among the tombs. (Mark 5:3)

Do you remember where the man called Legion was living before he encountered Jesus? Interestingly, Mark states it three times—perhaps to make sure we’ve got it. He was living among the tombs (Mark 5:3). That’s an unnerving image, isn’t it? 

What comes to mind when you read among the tombs in this story? Perhaps you think of death and decay, an altogether unclean place. Mark actually describes the demon tormenting this man as an unclean spirit (Mark 5:2).

Maybe you think of a haunted graveyard. In this sense, the tombs were like memorials, reminding the man of a past that just wouldn’t go away. What a fitting site for this deliverance account!

But we know the rest of the story. The man found a new place, at the feet of Jesus, in the presence of the One who cared enough to ask him, “What is your name?”

Of course, we’d never dream of living in a literal graveyard. But many of us do struggle with dwelling too much on the sins and mistakes of the past. In a sense, it’s like spending time in an internal mausoleum. In this place, our thoughts are full of our own shortcomings and blunders. Condemning thoughts often masquerade as conviction; however, they never come from the Lord because all they do is drain our hope and leave us burdened with guilt.

But Jesus has come into these tombs to set us free! As you pray today, see yourself at his feet. There, every twinge of condemnation and every accusing thought yields to the truth of his love. He reminds you that you are clothed with mercy and forgiveness. He even asks you, “What’s your name?” He already knows the answer, but he is inviting you to embrace the forgiveness, freedom, and dignity that he has declared over your life. You are a child of God!

Did you notice that, later in the story, the man could still be found sitting, clothed, at Jesus’ feet? Out of love and a desire to grow in his new identity, he didn’t want to leave! May we, too, find our new home at the feet of Jesus, our Deliverer.

“You, O Lord, are my shield; my glory, you lift up my head!” (Psalm 3:3)

from wau.org