He lived on the edge between reason and insanity. Who knew when all the powers that competed for his life would once again attempt to crush his will, his mind, even his very life? He lived on that edge between love and hate as his neighbors first tried to help, then in fear and frustration left him to rant and rave beyond the community.
He lived on the edge of civilization, in that town across the sea, where pigs were raised. He lived in a land that knew not YHWH and therefore, beyond the blessings of the Divine Creator. He lived on the edge between life and death, out there among the tombs, hidden among the dead.
Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee to step into the world of a man who was living on the edge, just as Jesus crossed the eternal divide to step into the world of humankind who was perpetually living on the edge.
Take a moment and focus in. Zoom in on that moment when Jesus stepped out of the boat on the other side of the sea, on the other side of the acceptable, on the other side of the land of blessing. Focus in on that first step when Jesus, the very presence of God in our world, took that first step.. He came as the Divine Creator, the Divine Lover, the Divine Healer, the eternal bridge between our reality and God's desire.
Jesus came to see the anonymous man who was out of his right mind, raving at the furies, naked in every aspect of his tormented life, and 'living' (if you could call it that) among the dead. Jesus came to him and he was re-born. The oppression of the Legion of demons - like the legion of Roman soldiers who ruled with an iron fist - was expelled. His mind was released. His tongue was released. His body became his own once again. Jesus stepped on that distant shore to give this man back his life.
That is all. One man across the vast sea, living in a foreign land, experienced the total healing of every part of his life. Then he is left behind to lead others towards this person who heals, this Son of God who gives life, this Savior who recognizes neither race or social status, but only wounded need.
In the end, the anonymous man was given two gifts: the gift of life and the gift of community. Jesus? Everyone asked him to leave. They were frightened - by what? Too much good? Too much unknown? Too much that was going to change? Not sure, I just know that in the end, it was Jesus who was pushed to the edge, without community, without protection, without status.
The one who traveled to the edge to bring life was pushed to the edge yet promised life. Whatever edge you are living on.....look for Jesus.
No comments:
Post a Comment