How can Mark 5:16 inspire us to share testimonies of Jesus' work? Setting the Scene “Those who had seen it described what had happened to the demon-possessed man and also to the pigs.” — Mark 5:16 Eyewitnesses Speak Out • In the aftermath of a dramatic deliverance, ordinary townspeople become instant storytellers. • They simply report what their own eyes witnessed: the man’s transformation and the pigs’ plunge. • No sermon notes, no theological treatise—just plain, factual testimony of Jesus’ power. Why Their Example Matters Today • Testimony is immediate: the onlookers speak “what had happened” without delay, reminding us that fresh encounters with Christ are meant to be shared promptly. • Testimony is tangible: they recount observable change, showing that telling concrete details makes God’s work relatable. • Testimony is balanced: they mention both the man and the pigs, teaching us to include the whole story—salvation’s beauty and its cost. • Testimony is contagious: their report stirs curiosity that leads others to seek Jesus (vv. 17-20). Practical Ways to Tell Our Story • Remember the moment: jot down specifics of how Christ met you, just as the witnesses remembered the pigs and the man. • Speak naturally: use everyday language, the way villagers did, trusting the Holy Spirit to give clarity (Luke 12:12). • Share both rescue and release: describe what Jesus saved you from and what He saved you for (2 Corinthians 5:17). • Link your story to Scripture: weave in verses that mirror your experience, like Psalm 40:2 or Ephesians 2:4-5. • Be available, not pushy: the crowd listened because the witnesses were simply present and honest (1 Peter 3:15). Promises That Encourage Us • Psalm 66:16 — “Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul.” • Acts 4:20 — “For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” • 1 Peter 2:9 — We are “called out of darkness” so that we “may proclaim the excellencies” of Christ. • Revelation 12:11 — Believers “overcame … by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Jesus used unnamed villagers in Mark 5:16 to broadcast His glory; He delights to do the same with us today. |
    |