Crossing the Lake With Jesus
"They saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of
demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind" Mark 5:15.

Why did the chicken cross the road? Most people know the lame answer to this old joke. But in the familiar story of Jesus stilling the storm, why did Jesus and His disciples cross the lake? Many people don't know.

Jesus was leading a mission expedition to a Gentile region called the Decapolis, which means "Ten Towns." Even though the people there were heirs of Greek culture, philosophy and religion, they lacked a saving relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Three times Jesus and the disciples are attacked, but the Lord overcomes every obstacle.

Attack #1. What caused the sudden, violent storm on the Lake of Galilee? Perhaps it was purely meteorological, but Job 1:18-19 records that Satan can produce fatal storms. The storm may have been Satan's attempt to send the boatload of missionaries down to Davy Jones's locker. But Christ proves stronger.

Attack #2. After almost drowning, the disciples long for terra firma. However, upon landing, they find themselves:

• in a graveyard,
• in the middle of the night,
• with a naked, raving maniac on the loose

  This isn't terra firma. It's raw terror! We aren't told what the disciples said, but we wouldn't hold it against them if they had screamed, "Jesus, let's get out of here!"

  However, neither the disciples nor we understand Jesus' plan. To meet the demoniac is why Jesus crossed the lake. In this divine appointment, the Lord liberates him from the legion of demons that rule him. He is saved and restored.

  Attack #3. Things are finally looking up. The maniac is clothed, in his right mind, and listening to Jesus. Maybe mission work isn't so bad after all. But then the neighbors show up. Fearing Jesus' power they order Him to leave, and Jesus agrees to go.

  "What?" we protest. "All this risk and effort for only one convert?!"

  But we are wrong. Jesus orders the man to go tell his family how the Lord has had mercy on him. He obeys, and when Jesus returns months later, the crowds welcome Him (Mark 6:53-56). What initially seems to be a feeble attack on Satan's territory becomes a mighty victory.

1. What individuals or people groups whom you know are like the inhabitants of the Decapolis, well-cultured but still lacking a relationship with God?
2. What "storms" have risen to hinder your witnessing? What difference does it make to know that you can call on Christ to still them?
3. Have you ever been in a witnessing situation that seemed as dangerous as Christ's mission to the demon-possessed man? If so, did you run or did you stick around? Who are your difficult cases, seemingly too untamed to ever approach? Does Jesus consider them hopeless? Should you?
4. Read Mark 4:20 and 6:53-56. Have you ever made small beginnings in witnessing to someone and then given up? Dream a moment. On the basis of this story, how might your initial efforts bear fruit?