‘“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him’ (Luke 8:39 ESV).
When Jesus freed the man living in the tombs of the Gerasenes of demon possession, he begged to go with Jesus. The man had been living in terrible misery, possessed by so many demons that they answered, “Legion” when Jesus asked their name.
Yet Jesus instructed him to go home and bear witness to his family of what great things God had done for him. Luke’s gospel shared that the man obeyed Jesus and “proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.” Mark’s gospel further noted that the man “began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed” (Mark 5:20). The “Decapolis” referred to the “Ten Cities” largely inhabited by Gentiles on the East side of the Sea of Galilee. So the former demoniac became a great evangelist for Jesus among his people.
The instruction to “return to your home” is similar to what Christ told His disciples on the day of His ascension. As He departed from them, He told them to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the whole world (Acts 1:8). In other words, Jesus told them to begin their gospel witness at home and then work outward to the whole world.
Jesus still commands His followers to be witnesses for Him. Yet, many are quiet, saying they’re afraid or that they don’t know what to say. However there is one topic in which you are an expert and that is what God has done for you! No one knows more about what God has done for you, than you!
So let us go forth, in the power of the Holy Spirit, beginning at home, telling everyone what God has done for us!
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for saving us and setting us free from sin’s wages. Fill us afresh with Your Spirit and help us to boldly bear witness to what great things You have done for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.