IN THE NAME OF JESUS

In true “In the Name of Jesus” fashion, as I try to describe in the book, would you be able to help a very sick friend following Christ’s example in this story? Could you learn to have compassion for people with mental health conditions, even when they’re so very different – even scary at times? We may not be able to heal them in the way Jesus did, but we could learn to have compassion for them.

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

Mark 5:1-5

 

Imagine what it must have been like to suffer in the way this man did. We need to have compassion for one such as him. Jesus did.

This wild, crazed man was believed by all the townspeople to be possessed by demons – a condition often confused with mental illness. But Jesus cared for the man, not judging him by what ailed him but seeing the man for the person he was. He was not afraid of him, but drew close and commanded the demons to leave him. Jesus healed him as he had healed others.

Uneducated people often consider mentally ill individuals spiritually unwell, or “not right with God.” This is a dangerous diagnosis to give to otherwise God-loving people. Those living with mental illness have a bona-fide medical problems beyond their control yet are left feeling shame, thought badly of by their community. The damaging effect on their lives can have enormous proportions, often leading to hopelessness that makes ending their life preferable to the emotional pain they experience.

Who’s to say what is making a person mentally or spiritually unwell? I believe it’s a mistake to judge. I believe only God could judge such things. And would He? Would a God of mercy, love and forgiveness do that?

The behavior displayed in this Bible story is similar in part to symptoms of psychosis, commonly found in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. I recognize somewhat how this man might have felt, having experienced psychosis long ago before I received medication—major agitation, involving mind and body; inability to sit still or to sit for any length of time; a confused and wild mind, not in touch with the world; delusions and paranoia. Psychosis, as well as demon possession, is sheer torture. But who’s to know which it is?

People like this tortured man are often considered evil. But I believe much greater evil is committed when a sane man treats such a person unkindly or in a hurtful way. Are we doing that?

The man was greatly relieved when Jesus freed him from the turmoil that had possessed him. In its place he found the great gift of choosing to be possessed by God, whose possession he already was. He wasn’t left empty that day.

The man begged Jesus to let him follow Him. But Jesus, who so often said “Follow me”, now said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” (vs 19)

So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. (vs 20)

This homeless, crazed, bleeding and frightening man made a valuable contribution to Jesus’ ministry. He became one of the best witnesses possible—one who had suffered greatly but found healing. If this is possible for a person such as him, what’s possible for us?

marja