Verse of the Day 12/21

 

Mark 5:19   He told him, "Go back home to your own people, and report to them how much the Lord has done for you and how He has had mercy on you."  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

Today's verse may not come from one of the Christmas accounts in the gospels, but the message is one that we can carry with us as we "go home" for Christmas to meet with family, friends and any of our loved ones.  In this passage in Mark, the man who had been demon posed had been restored, he wanted to continue on with Jesus, but he was told to go back, to tell "his people" what Jesus had done for him.

 

Most of us are familiar with the nativity scenes as depicted in front of churches and in our living rooms.  The scene takes some liberty with what is written, bringing together people that were not necessarily there at the same time.  The wise men arrived some time later and the shepherds may have drifted in one or two at a time to see the Christ child.  But for me, it doesn't take away from the manger scene.  The point is that they all came to see baby Jesus, to honor him, bring him gifts and to offer praise to God for the miracle of his birth, whether it was hours, days or possibly even a couple of years apart.

 

For many of us, our families may be spread out, they may head home but not all arrive at the same time or leave at the same time.  But years from now we may look back and only think of how we were together, how we shared what was going on, what God was doing in our lives.  We may look back on it with memories that are not totally accurate, but the point is the love that is experienced and shared.

 

It must have been fascinating for Mary and Joseph to have people stopping in to see them, telling what God had done in their lives to bring them to the lowly manger where Christ was born.  It all added to the mystery and to the wonder of it all.  May it be with us this Christmas, may we share the story of what God has done in our lives while realizing that it was Jesus, His birth that brought us together from near or far, whether in person or in spirit, or perhaps facetime.

 

Be thinking of what you will "report" to your family about how much the Lord has done for you, perhaps while sitting around the manger, the nativity scene in your home.  May Jesus be the "talk of the town"  (v.20 The Message) in your home this season.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Mark 5:18-20

The Message (MSG)

^18-20 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the demon-delivered man begged to go along, but he wouldn't let him. Jesus said, "Go home to your own people. Tell them your story—what the Master did, how he had mercy on you." The man went back and began to preach in the Ten Towns area about what Jesus had done for him. He was the talk of the town.