This phrase might bring to recollection the one that could have been called a demoniac. This poor one abode in the tombs among the dead. He wore no clothes and had no house in the world. This one had devils a long time. He was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness. What a pitiful condition we behold in this demoniac; but what a wonderful end he enjoyed.

In one place the scriptures say there met Jesus out of the city a certain man. This was the demoniac. In another passage it is recorded that when Jesus was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. Do any believe that it was the unclean spirits, Legion, that drew this demoniac to Jesus? Was it not God's lovingkindness through His everlasting love toward His elect which drew this demoniac to His Saviour? Brethren, this poor demoniac was in a far better condition than many. This demoniac abode among the dead in the tombs. Saul of Tarsus searched out the living and threatened and sought to slaughter and persecute the Lord. Saul was not too far-gone for our Lord to call Saul by His grace and reveal Himself in Saul. If the portal of Immortal Glory is not too far for Jesus to leave and descend to save His people from their sins, then the condition that His elect are found here in this world is no obstacle to His omnipotence.

Because of our Lord's tender mercies and grace, the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.  We often quote this passage but seldom go to the next verse that says "And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me." It is hard to imagine that there are some that were chosen in Him before the foundation of the world, whom have received these blessings but are ashamed to be called His disciples, or the lambs or sheep of His little flock. When our Lord healed that demoniac the scriptures portray him as sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind. What a glorious truth is contained therein. The only people that are truly in their right minds in this world are those that are found sitting at their Lord's feet clothed in His righteousness and exhibiting the same desire as this poor one that was once possessed of the demons. He wanted to get into the ship to continue on with His Lord Jesus. Jesus said unto him, "Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee."

Brethren, first I see that our Lord considered what was done to be "great things". These great things proceed from the compassion of God. Those that refuse to ask for a home in our Lord's Church by telling their friends how great the things that their Lord has done for them, having compassion on them, must not esteem what He has done as "great things" at all. They must be ashamed in Him. I am happy to say that I am not ashamed to have a hope in Him. I am not ashamed to be a member of His body here in this world. I am not ashamed to be an Old Baptist, a true worshipper and follower of the Lamb by grace. 4/16/2004 Elder Marty Hoogasian