Recently I was in a room that felt oppressively hot. Looking around at the others who were with me, our lethargy was evident. Conversation was minimal, and ambition seemed to be even less. Without any prospect for air conditioning we were content to sit. Within a short time it began to rain, and a cool breeze greeted our sweaty faces. It was truly refreshing.
As a Christian it can often seem like we are in a sweltering room. Feeling lethargic by the humidity of life in a fallen world we are a bit stale. Forgetting the times of personal refreshment or stories of the same, we tend to forget the gospel’s power to transform people. We look at people as outside of God’s reach or unsavable. (What an embarrassing personal assessment of the gospel!) This is where the Bible acts as something of a cool breeze to refresh and recharge us. The Scriptures show us how powerful the gospel is.
One of my favorite stories of such a refreshing breeze is found in Mark 5. Jesus comes to a town, and as soon as he steps out of the boat he is met with a surprising visitor. When we read the description of this guy we have to understand that Mark is aiming to show us how untamable he is. He may not be the strangest person in the history of the world, but he has to be in the top ten or so. He is possessed by an unclean spirit (Mark 5:2), was naked (Luke 8:27), lived at the cemetery (Mark 5:2), was violent (Matt. 8:29), and uncontrollable (Mark 5:3-4). In fact, attempts to control him resulted in broken shackles and chains. As a result, this guy terrorized the residents of the town with his demonic howling and physical intimidation. He was a persistent reminder to them of their own vulnerability. What a mess.
Then, Jesus comes to town.
This “freak” comes running to Jesus and bows down before him (Mark 5:6). Let it sink in: the naked, violent, untamable, frightening man ran up to Jesus and laid down before him. Soon after the townspeople came out to see who turned down the volume at the tombs. What did they find? Their worst nightmare was now clothed and in his right mind. And by the way, he was sitting right next to Jesus in a calm submissive state (Mark 5:15).
How powerful is this gospel?
The first missionary Jesus sends was formerly a streaking, demon-possessed, howling, tomb-dwelling, outlaw. Jesus arrested him by grace and sent him to tell others about what God has done for him (Mark 5:20).
Do you see how opening the Word of God and reading about the advancement of the gospel is like a refreshing breeze amid our lethargy? We forget about the gospel and its power. This is why we are timid to speak to others about Christ. It is why we don’t think to pray big, bold, demon-toppling prayers. We are just sitting in the suffocating staleness of our evangelistic apathy. Open the Bible! And open the window, feel the gospel breeze—Aslan is on the move!
