The first of the biblical stories which come to mind might suggest leaving everything behind and beginning to journey with this itinerant preacher. But in Luke 8 we read of a different response. This set of instructions, from Jesus, should also come to mind when we consider what to do after encountering Christ.
This story in Luke 8 is the one about the pigs. Jesus casts a demon out of a man and the demons ask to be sent into the pigs. Jesus does this and the pigs rush down a steep bank, into the water, and drown. The man who was possessed by the demons, upon realizing he has been set free, attempts to follow Jesus. But Jesus send him away, saying, "Return to your home."
Jesus also tells him to "declare how much God has done for you." This last part is also important.
Too often we want to set of in the big wide world. Too often we want to tell the story to those who have never heard or to those with whom we have never spoke. Jesus tells this man to "Go home." Talk there about what has happened to you.
Are you more inclined to talk about the role God has in your life in a bible study group than with your sisters or brothers? Is it at a Wednesday night gathering where you ask your questions of faith, rather than over the dinner table with your parents? I am not faulting you for this. It is probably a pattern you learned - at home.
Jesus tells this man (and us as well) to live among those who are our family, to be "at home." He also tells this man (and us as well) that at home is the place where we declare and share and learn what our encounters with him really mean.
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