Freedom in Jesus

This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. Mark 5:3–6

Cemeteries are not natural habitats for living people. This man lived among the tombs. He was deranged, possessed of evil spirits. He had no control over his life.

Unfortunately, he isn’t the only one. Our society is full of people out of control with eating disorders, dependencies on and addictions to alcohol, drugs, sexual deviancy, pornography, or a host of other things—including demon possession. Try as hard as they might, they cannot seem to break the hold of what has hold of them. But Jesus goes to people living in “tombs” of their own making.

I’m sure on that night the disciples would rather have avoided this meeting. I know I would. Take me to people I’m comfortable with, please!

The demoniac’s bondage had been of substantial duration, since he had “often” been bound. Given his wild behavior, it had taken several persons to clasp the chains on his feet. These attempts at restraint proved unsuccessful; thus we meet him wandering among the tombs, isolated from the living.

You hear his torment in the gut cries from the depths of his being. And he’s a “cutter”—a not-too-infrequent practice today among young people with emotional pain so great they cut themselves.

This man was past human hope. He represents all who live in deathful places of body and spirit. Everyone had given up on helping him. The best they could do was to tie him down or chain him up. Deliverance was out of the question because he was undeliverable.

He was strong enough to break the chains but not strong enough to free himself. Perhaps you know someone like that.

Or could that also be you? Despite your best efforts to break a bondage, you are still not free. You try and fail. You ask for forgiveness but then repeat the conduct that devastates you on the inside. You wish someone could help you, but no one can.

Then notice what this possessed man did. He saw Jesus from a distance.

The Pharisees saw Jesus close up but didn’t really see Him. Here was a man written off by society, controlled by powers he could not tame. However, there was one thing he could control—the direction he would move when Jesus came into view.

You have freedom either to run to Jesus or away from Him. At a far distance, there may not be much of Jesus you can see. He had no firsthand knowledge of what Jesus had already done for others.

But he saw in Jesus the prospect of hope, the prospect of a better day.

Inherently, he recognized the magnitude of Jesus and fell on his knees—a proper posture for one meeting the Lord of All.

If you are tormented, start heading toward Jesus. You will encounter Him because He is already headed toward you.

A Prayer: Lord Jesus, I bring to you any out-of-control aspect in my life. I desperately need Your help. I throw myself, Lord, at your feet for I know You will deliver me.

Excerpted from Dr. Wood’s forthcoming book, Fearless: How Jesus Changes Everything, available in September from Vital Resources.