Open Arms

Scripture – Mark 5:1-6: ¹They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. ²When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. ³This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. ⁴For 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. ⁵Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. ⁶When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.

Reflection: This brings back the image of the strong man in Mark 3:27. No one was strong enough to subdue this man that came to Jesus. But I suspect that’s about to change.

I imagine him as the kind of man no one wanted to be around. I know I bump into people like that – people I want to keep at a distance. Left on my own, I would keep myself safely isolated from them. There is, however, one woman who continually comes by our church office. While she has an apartment, she looks and acts like a person who lives on the street. She has some challenges mentally. And the Lord keeps sending her to talk with me and give me a hug. Sometimes she even brings me a present. (Yesterday it was an old flashlight she found.)

The Lord has taught me to love her and care for her. And through her I am still learning to open my arms to anyone – even one who may come running out of the tombs.

Lord Jesus, thank you for loving and accepting me. Please continue opening my mind and heart and arms to all the people you love. Give me patience, sensitivity and wisdom today with everyone I meet.