31/3/18 – Numbers 29:12-40, Numbers 30, Numbers 31:1-24 Luke 8:19-39 Psalm 39:1-13

Luke 8:37-39

Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.

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.

Why did he beg to go with Jesus, I wonder?

One answer could be that the reaction of the locals was that of fear. Staying would mean that he’d have to deal with that. The other is that he wanted to follow this amazing person who changed his life. I can understand both those reasons.

But Jesus had another job for him. For many people Jesus healed, He said don’t tell anyone. But in this case, the change was so great – it’s not something people wouldn’t have noticed. But notice, Jesus doesn’t say tell everyone what I’ve done for you, but what God has done. It’s not about publicity but about sharing the goodness of God.

Sometimes we just want to be with Jesus, just to spend time with the amazing one who changed our lives. But that’s easy… and actually He has a job for us to do too.

To share the goodness of God. It’s amazing that Jesus is with us every step of the way, but our calling is not just to enjoy Him – but to make Him known.

Ps 39:4-7

“Show me, Lord, my life’s end

and the number of my days;

let me know how fleeting my life is.

You have made my days a mere handbreadth;

the span of my years is as nothing before you.

Everyone is but a breath,

even those who seem secure.b

“Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;

in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth

without knowing whose it will finally be.

“But now, Lord, what do I look for?

My hope is in you.

Wow. What a prayer. Perspective is an amazing thing and something we could all do if more of.

Imagine if you could see your last days – if you knew how long you had left. Now imagine you can see that in the light of eternity.

How small it is.

Like a grain of sand in the dessert. Everyone is but a breath.

How small life is. Yet whilst we are in it, how long it seems. We live day by day today, but when we look at eternity we get real perspective.

Everyone rushing about, heaping up wealth. With the eternal perspective what sense does that make?

In the light of eternity, what really matters is our Hope in The Lord. During the day to day, that’s easy to forget.

It’s a good prayer for the Lord to remind us about the big picture.