Words of Grace – August 7, 2014

A demon-possessed man who had been healed by Jesus expressed his desire “that he might be with him” (Mark 5:18). He was so thankful and felt indebted to the Lord for his new life.

Jesus did not allow him to go along with them. Instead, he told him to go home to his friends to tell them about how the Lord had compassion on him and healed him.

“And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all did marvel” (v.20).

To publish means to share the good news with the public. It means to be a witness to the public concerning what has happened.

When Saul of Tarsus, who later was known as Paul the Apostle, was converted on the road to Damascus, he was told then: “For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of that thou hast seen and heard” (Acts 22:15).

As a soldier lay wounded and bleeding on the battlefield, he saw a field surgeon making his rounds. “Oh, doctor,” he cried faintly, “please help me.”

The doctor kneeled down beside him to dress his wounds. When he had given him all possible relief, he ordered him to be conveyed to a hospital.

“What’s your name, doctor,” the soldier asked.

“Oh,” the surgeon replied, “that doesn’t matter.”

“But, doctor,” she said, “I want to tell my wife and children who saved my life.”