When Jesus Asks Us Not to Remain at His Feet

Posted on by Chris G Thelen

As much as we desire to stay at the feet of Jesus and worship him, sometimes he asks us to not remain there. As much as we enjoy the fellowship of other Christians, God calls us to go beyond the walls of the church. As much as we relish sharing with other believers the great things God has done in our life, he calls to share this good news with others outside of the church.

Such was the case in Luke 8:26-38. In this passage Jesus demonstrated God’s power over demons in a dramatic way. They had just arrived in the region of the Gerasenes across the lake from Galilee, when “he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town (verse 27, NIV).” The man immediately fell at Jesus’ feet and acknowledged him as the son of God.

Jesus commanded the demons to come out of this man, but they begged Jesus to not torture them. Instead they asked Jesus to let them go into pigs grazing on a nearby hillside. Jesus gave them permission and the demons entered the pigs. Immediately the pigs ran down the hill into a lake and drowned.

News of this event spread quickly and soon people from town and the countryside came and saw the once demon-possessed man seated calmly at Jesus’ feet, “dressed and in his right mind (verse 35).” When the people heard what had happened, they were filled with fear. They asked Jesus to leave because they were afraid of him. They had just seen the power of God to overcome demons. Jesus left, but he also left behind a powerful example of God’s truth.

The formerly demon-possessed man begged to go with Jesus, but Jesus told him, “‘Return home and tell how much God has done for you.’ So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him (verse 39).”

Imagine this man sharing his story in his home town. People who knew the man when he was demon-possessed could not deny he had changed; could not deny Jesus had changed his life. God calls us to do the same.

We are so grateful for what Jesus has done in our life that we want to remain at this feet and worship him — to remain with the community of believers and worship him. But Jesus calls us to share what he has done for us, to spread the good news to others we know outside the church; to those who knew us before Jesus entered our life and can now see the change in our life.

© 2019 CGThelen

15 thoughts on “When Jesus Asks Us Not to Remain at His Feet”

  1. Pingback: When Jesus Asks Us Not to Remain at His Feet — 140 Character Christian – quietmomentswithgod

  4. This is a good point, and well made. Just as Jesus came to serve, He dwells within us and desires to continue to serve – through us.

  6. Love the post, correct we should tell others what our Lord has done, for me I was in a wheelchair years ago and our Lord heal me, and I have shared that. As a mom with a daughter who is chronically ill, I tell others what gets me through are the words from Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. I may not know what how God will use my daughter however God’s plans will be awesome for her and is love is unconditional.

    1. Thanks for this encouraging comment. I too have a child who is chronically ill. I love that Jeremiah verse. It tells me to trust God’s plan. Thanks for sharing. May you be encouraged today.

      1. What does your child have if you don’t mind me asking, my daughter Victoria has many Lupus, POTS, and more I will keep your child in my prayers 👃

        1. My daughter has a brain injury which has caused a host of chronic issues. Thanks for your prayers. I pray the Lord will strengthen you as you care for your daughter. May the peace of Christ envelope you.

          1. And you as well, it is never easy Victoria has been dealing with seizures since last September and we are waiting for test results.

  7. Great post! I have said this to myself as well. There are times when God wants me to exercise my faith and live out my faith not just sit at His feet. Thank you for taking the time to share this!

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