Mark 5 - Will we go where He wants us to go?

However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you." (Mark 5:19)

It is a little strange at first thought why Jesus did not allow the man who had been demon-possessed to follow Him.

This stands in direct constrast with how He had called Simon, Andrew, James, and John, the four fishermen by the sea.

Jesus had said, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." (Mark 1:17)

Was Jesus biased in His selection of followers? Why did Jesus not permit him when he had actually begged to be with Him (Mark 5:18)?

I guess God has a purpose for everyone. Sometimes it might not be something that we had at the very first wanted to do for God.

This man simply wanted to be with Jesus, but he was rejected.

There must be times when we wanted to do a certain something for God, and we think that it is a good thing, and surely God will bless. However, it just didn't work out and we eventually realised it was not to be. Why is that so?

Because our purpose lies somewhere else.

Just like this man's purpose lies in being a living testimony to his friends and family so that they may come to believe and glorify God. And we know how he obeyed Jesus to return home and proclaim the deeds of Jesus, causing people to marvel (Mark 5:20).

Think about it. When we had been so sure about something that we want to do for God, and we even begged Him about it, yet when the reply is a straight no, are we able to immediately change the course of our lives, simply at the word of Jesus? Are we able to fulfill the purpose of our lives, or simply do it half-heartedly because it wasn't what I wanted to do anyway?

Something to ponder over as we learn from him who had been demon-possessed :)