NOT WELCOME HERE

NOT WELCOME HERE


In the 5th chapter
Of Saint Mark’s Gospel
Jesus is traveling
Through the Gentile territory
Of the region of Gerasenes

A man
Who was positively possessed
By evil spirits-says to Jesus
Actually shouts at the top of his voice,

“What do you want with me Jesus
Son of the Most High God
Swear to God
That you won’t torture me”

For Jesus previously said to this man,
“Come out of the man
You evil spirit”

NOT WELCOME HERE

Jesus asks him,
“What is your name”

The man says,
“My name is Legion-for we are many”

Many evil spirits
Were living inside
Of this man

There was
A large herd of pigs
Feeding on the nearby hillside

The demons inside of this man
Beg Jesus,

“Send us among  the pigs
Allow us to go into them”

Once of the demons
Were inside of the pigs
-About two thousand in number

They rushed down
The steep bank
And drowned

NOT WELCOME HERE

There were
A number of witnesses
And they went off
And reported it to
Everyone in town

STRANGELY ENOUGH
Jesus was NOT WELCOME
After this miracle
The people began
To plead with him
To LEAVE their town

NOT WELCOME HERE

What about us-in this MODERN day world
What about our HEARTS
IS HE WELCOME
Or is there only room
For our own personal demons

Or do we say:

“COME LORD-come Jesus
You are WELCOME
To LIVE inside of  me

“Anyone who runs ahead
And does not continue
In the teaching of Christ
Does not have God

Whoever continues
In the teaching
Has BOTH the Father
And the Son

If anyone
Comes to me
And does not bring this teaching
Do not take him
Into your house
Or WELCOME HIM”                                                                                   2 John:10 & 11

Dear Lord we say

“NO to our personal addictions
We say no to temper
No to laziness
And NO to an unwholesome lifestyle

And YES to you

COME LIVE
Inside of us

YOU ARE WELCOME HERE”

Robert P. Wallman
3-5-13