An Ideal Evangelist
The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him. -Luke 8:38-39, NIV
“Conversion brings the responsibility to evangelize.” – Marshall
“Unlike the disciples who are overcome with fear in the boat in the previous episode, this man, this Gentile- whose existence only moments before was determined by numerous demons and subhuman by almost any measure- recognizes Jesus as the one through whom God’s salvific purpose is being enacted.
In other words, (1) the former demoniac is to have a share in the ministry of Jesus, and (2) telling the story of God’s mighty acts on his behalf is to be the content of his proclamation.” – Joel B. Green
If you or I drew up the ideal resume of an evangelist, it probably would include things like; training at a well-respected seminary and years of faithful service in a church and slow steady growth. Interestingly, that is nothing like the resume of the first ‘evangelist’ in Luke’s Gospel. He had no training. He certainly didn’t have a good reputation in his community. He didn’t have years of walking with Jesus on which to draw. So, what qualified him? Jesus saved him. There’s nothing to be added to that statement. It is the crazy reality of how Jesus intends for His message to be shared with the world. People, who have had their lives radically altered by an encounter with Jesus, tell other people about Jesus. In light of this reality, Acts 1:8 makes sense. You will be my witnesses. Now, I am not discounting higher education or learning how to answer common objections or questions to help someone become more effective in sharing their faith with others. I have taken and benefited from evangelism courses. But, I think we often overcomplicate the matter thinking that someone ‘professional’ should handle the work of evangelism. Jesus’ idea is the polar opposite. He will use anyone, from any circumstance, with any life experience, to be a witness of His saving power and grace. Their job? To simply tell the wonders of what God had done for them. Has He saved you from sin? Has He set you free from shame? Are you now full of hope? Do you have joy that cannot be snatched by the circumstances of life? Do you have calm in the chaos? Then, tell the whole world. Tell anyone who will listen. If a man who was so demonized that he lived naked among the tombs, unrestrainable, can be a witness for Jesus, you can too. In fact, his life was so radically changed, that he was an ideal witness. He went back to his village and his town. They very people that the chaos within had driven him from. His being who Jesus made him would be its own story from which the question would naturally arise, how? No one was applauding Jesus’ savvy marketing move. But He wasn’t looking for anyone’s approval. Jesus was simply eager to rescue the man living among the dead so that he could become the living among the spiritually dead. So that, he would be able to point them to the One who could bring them life. Have you been rescued by Jesus? Have you surrendered to Him? Has He changed your life? Then you are ready. Go tell everyone you can about how much Jesus has done for you. Be a witness to the life-giving, eternity altering power of Jesus. Tell the wonders of what Jesus has done for you, it will be like seed sown by a farmer.
Questions for further discussion/life application:
· What is the biggest hurdle to you in witnessing for Jesus? (Fear of others? A messy life? Ongoing struggles?) How does this man’s story undercut those hurdles?
· Is there ‘chaos’ in your life (internal or external) that you need to take to Jesus?
· Reflecting on your story, what is one time in which God used you as a witness to someone who did not yet know Jesus as Savior?
· Is there a moment of past chaos that Jesus calmed that would be helpful to hold on to in the present? How could you share it with others?
Blog Bonus: The Eye of the Storm (acoustic version)