Get Out Of The Boat - Healing for the Places That Still Ache

“A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid.” (Mark 5:15, NLT)

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” (Luke 19:10, NLT)

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.” (Isaiah 61:1, NLT)

In our time together, we’ve been allowing Jesus to run into our mess, pain, and brokenness. We’ve been brave enough to admit we aren’t “fine,” to set down the cups we usually drink from for comfort, and to risk moving in new ways to get unstuck. Hopefully, you’ve begun to experience Jesus’ help and healing. The beautiful thing is, the more we collide with Jesus, the more we become like Him.

And here’s the next step: When we experience God’s healing, we are invited to move beyond our own pain and run toward the pain of others. Mark 5:1-19 shows us the intentional way Jesus runs toward pain. After a long day of teaching and ministry, Jesus and His disciples crossed the lake, experienced an intense storm, and as soon as they got to shore, Jesus stepped out of the boat to purposely collide with a man in a cemetery. This guy was possessed, isolated, living among the tombs, crying out day and night, and cutting himself with stones.

We have to note: Jesus didn’t avoid his pain. Instead, He stepped into the mess, the dark, and the scary, in order to bring healing. But where were His followers? His disciples were still in the boat, staying cozy and safe.

Ephesians 5:1 challenges us to “be imitators of God” (ESV). This means that just as Jesus entered the pain of the outcast, we are invited to follow Him into the spaces where others are hurting— those who are addicted, grieving, broken, or lost. Following Jesus means we don’t shy away from discomfort, pain, and brokenness, but instead run toward it.

Jesus meets people where they are, and He calls us to do the same. When we collide with Him, we are forever changed. Then we can take that transformation and run toward others’ pain, to help them experience healing too.

Collide with Jesus. Let Him transform you, and then join Him in bringing healing to the world.

Reflection:

• What is interesting to you about the idea that the disciples didn’t follow Jesus into the tomb to collide with this guy?
• Where do you feel most challenged to become more of an imitator of Jesus?
• Who in your life is hurting and isolated that you could consider checking in on, and what would entering their uncomfortable space require of you?

Prayer:

Thank You that You are the most beautiful One I could ever follow or initiate. Help me to be more like You. Help me to get out of my safe, comfortable boat and life and bring healing to those who hurt. Use my life for Your glory. Amen.