Jesus' Wonderful Grace

"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

We see here such a wonderful example of the grace of our Lord.  Jesus had sailed across the Sea of Galilee to the country of the Gadarenes.  When He arrived a demon possessed man came out to Him and Jesus cast the many demons out of him, and allowed them to enter a herd of swine.  The man who had been uncontrollable was now free and at peace.  The people of the region responded by begging Jesus to leave their region.

Whenever I study this passage I'm amazed at the people who beg Jesus to leave.  How can anyone who had seen the miraculous power and mercy of Jesus plead with Him to leave!  I suppose I shouldn't be amazed, for even today there are many who want nothing to do with Jesus.  But here is where His wonderful grace is extended even to those who want nothing to do with Him.  The man who had been possessed begged to go with Jesus but Jesus would not let him.  Instead He told the man to remain in the region as a testimony to Jesus.  The people rejected Jesus but in His grace He leaves a witness behind to speak of His mercy and compassion.  What wonderful grace!

By the way, in the book of Acts we see the Gospel spread to this region and the Lord moved powerfully as the people received the Gospel readily.  We must wonder had their hearts been prepared for the Gospel seed by the plowing of the testimony of this man whom Jesus left as a witness?