Too Far Gone

Reflections on Mark 5:1-20

Scrapes and screams, complete chaos, and utter isolation ruled a man’s life until Jesus came on the scene.

Is he too far gone?

Forgotten and alone, cut off from civilization, left to a legion of demons, this one seemed too far gone. No one could subdue him. No one could help him. He was better left to exist, surrounded by death, than disrupt the land of the living.

Scripture doesn’t refer to his mama, but I can only imagine, if she was alive, how broken her heart might be. I always consider the mama’s heart.

To the world this man was a lost cause, but Jesus found him worthy of a miracle.

The dramatic scene unfolds with demons speaking, pigs squealing, and a town of people more concerned about livestock than a living soul set free.

In his right mind, for the first time, the man begs Jesus to allow him to come along.

Jesus did not let him, but told him, “Go 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.”

So, he did. He proclaimed the goodness of God. He told his story, and people were amazed.

Who is too far gone? The answer is no one.

A Prayer for Today—

Father, forgive me for the times I have given up on those made in Your image. Forgive me for forgetting Your care and concern for the least of these.

Give me eyes to see and words to pray for those desperate for deliverance. Give me a fervor and a passion for the one who seems too far gone to ever be transformed by Your love.

Give me opportunity to proclaim today, along with all the saints who have gone before me, the good news of who you are and what you do in a life surrendered.

No one is too far gone for You.