Example of a Servant – The Work of God was above Him

“Those who saw it told them how it befell him who had been possessed with the demons and also concerning the swine. Then they began to plead with Him to depart out of their region. When He entered the boat, he who had been possessed with the demons prayed Him that he might be with Him. Jesus did not let him, but said to 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.” So he departed and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.” Mark 5:16-20 (if you’d like to read it all, you can read in your bible from verse 1)

The Lord Jesus was visiting a city, and as soon as He arrived He met a man who had been possessed with demons. He was known by everyone for his deplorable condition. He lived in the cemetery, he hurt himself with stones and was often caught with chains, yet no one could calm him down.

The Lord Jesus set him free and when he was seen in perfect judgment by the people of the city, they were terribly frightened and did not want Jesus to remain there. He was prevented from continuing in the city, people were afraid of Him, for having set free the gadarene man from the demons. On the other hand the man was so grateful that he wanted to follow Jesus. But Jesus asked him to stay in the city, so that through his transformation of life other people could be reached and believe. And so it happened.

You see that the Lord Jesus did not think about himself, not even to satisfy the desire of that man, but he thought of the people of that place who could be saved through the testimony of the man who was set free.

In the work of God our will cannot prevail. The priority must always be the work of God and not our desires. The question is:

- Would you let go of people you like to have by your side, for the good of the work of God?

- How many times have you renounced something for something greater?

- Do you see the work of God with spiritual eyes or the eyes of the flesh?

- Can you understand the purposes of God for your life and for His work?

- Do you do the work of God thinking about yourself or the Kingdom of God?

From your answers depends your future on the work of God. All those who do the work of God thinking about themselves, one day will no longer be with us. The work of God is not about our own life; and in practice it demands total renounce of our will. And giving up hurts, but not everyone is willing to feel this pain. Meditate on your intentions regarding the work of God. Just like the name says, the work is His and not ours. Think about it!