Tuesday 21st July - Risky Encounters

DAILY BYTE

Over these two weeks we’re looking at the story from Mark 5:1-20 of the healing of the demon-possessed man who lived in the tombs.

The next verse of the story reads, “When Jesus got out of the boat, immediately a man with an unclean spirit came from the tombs to meet him.” (Mark 5:2)

Yesterday, we noted that the very first verse of this passage located this story on the other side of the sea, in Gentile territory. This crossing over to the other side symbolized a movement from what was known, familiar and safe to what was uncertain, unfamiliar and risky. In the very next verse this is underscored. For no sooner does Jesus step out of the boat than he is met by a crazy man who lives amongst the tombs.

Talk about having one’s worst fears and suspicions instantly confirmed. It’s precisely these sorts of uncomfortable encounters that make us reluctant to leave our comfort zones in the first place.

But the inescapable fact of this story is that this is exactly where Jesus goes, and this scary man is who he encounters. Which raises some sharp and challenging questions for those of us who claim to be his disciples: Are we really prepared to follow Jesus wherever he may go? Are we truly committed to staying by Jesus’ side no matter how risky and uncomfortable for us that might be? Are we honestly willing to engage with whoever we might encounter as a consequence?

Think about this is the context of your life right now. Who is it that Jesus may be leading you to that you would rather not engage with right now? Maybe there’s someone in your life with whom you’ve fallen out, and the silence between you is like a festering sore. Maybe that’s precisely the person that Jesus is leading you to, so that you can be reconciled and this wound can begin to heal.

Maybe you know deep down that Jesus is wanting you to engage in a more personal and risky way with the poor and vulnerable. Maybe it’s a particular homeless person you see each day, or a street trader near your work, or a fellow worker who is clearly in a bad way and in need of some basic human kindness.

Maybe there’s an elderly friend or relative who is lonely and aching for some human contact, whom you haven’t visited for far too long. Maybe it’s a surly, angry teenager who lives in your house but seems to inhabit a wholly different and utterly impenetrable world.

The examples could go on and on. Engaging with people like these can feel risky, uncomfortable and even scary. We don’t know what might be required of us. We don’t know if we can handle it. It can seem a bit like facing someone with an unclean spirit from the tombs. But it’s precisely to encounters like these that Jesus draws us, for love’s sake, for them and for us.

So let me ask you boldly and directly: To whom might he be leading you today? If we’ve committed ourselves to following Jesus wherever he may lead, the strong hope and comfort we can draw is that whoever we may encounter as a consequence, we do not encounter them on our own, for Jesus is there!

PRAY AS YOU GO

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you are far less concerned for my comfort and convenience than you are about the forging of my character. Thank you that it is in the crucible of risky human encounter that I can grow stronger and more Christ-like, if I choose. Today, send across my path someone who will stretch me and deepen my capacity for generosity, kindness and patience, and help me to treat them as you would. Amen.