Jesus is not far away.

He was living across the lake in no man’s land. He was trapped, possessed by many demons, and alone among the tombs. No one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. He was dirty and smelly. He was an unlovable man, an unclean man, a desperate man. And Jesus went to see him.

When the man saw Jesus from far away, he ran, fell down before him, and cried out loud. Jesus said, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” and gave them permission to enter the nearby herd of pigs. So they did, and 2,000 pigs rushed down the steep bank and drowned in the sea. When herdsmen and townsfolk came to see what all the commotion was about, they saw the demon-possessed man sitting there, clothed and in his right mind. They were afraid and begged Jesus to leave, but the man who had been possessed with demons begged Him that he might go with Him. Jesus entered the boat to leave but did not permit the man to come with Him. He said, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” The man went away and began to proclaim in the cities how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.

Friend, are you as desperate and broken, poor in spirit, and needing release from bondage today? What issues torment you and hold you captive? A demon may not torture you, but are you held in slavery by something else, in its grip? Maybe you’re miserable. Run to Jesus. He is not far away. He approaches you to save you from your sorrow. Jesus goes to the unclean and sick who need a savior. He will remove the chains and set you free. You need not fear any condemnation at all in Jesus. He is ready to do much for you and have great mercy upon you. The kingdom of heaven belongs to you if the Son has set you free. You are adopted into His family as His son or daughter. All the riches of Christ become yours. The grace and mercy of God can work great change in your life today. How much can Jesus do for you?