“When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.”  Mark 5:6

There’s nothing out of the ordinary about that verse.  If you’ve been in church long, you’ve heard countless testimonies of people coming to a relationship with Christ, or returning to a relationship.  But, what makes this verse so powerful is the back story.  This guy was no ordinary guy.  He lived in a cave.  He was possessed by an impure spirit.  He could not be bound, not even with chains.  The Bible says that “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.”

This guy was far gone.  I’ve had some pretty bad days.  I’ve strayed from God over the years in my own ways.  I’ve done things my way instead of God’s way.  But, I can honestly say, I’ve never lived on the outskirts of the city with chains wrapped around me.  And, needless to say, I don’t think I’m so strong that no human being could ever subdue me.

“When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.”  I hear hope in this verse.  This guy, despite being possessed by a whole Legion of demons, still had enough ability to recognize and call out to the only one who could help.  No matter how far removed you or I feel from God, it’s not too far.  We still have the ability to “run and fall in front of him”.

Another important note I see here, and I believe this is really important, is action.  The man did the running to Jesus.  Jesus did not approach the man.  Jesus may come near, but he’s going to leave a step for us.  We have to approach him.  We have to fall on our knees in front of him.

What are your chains?  What is binding you?  Maybe you feel too far removed.  You’re not!  You’re never too far away from God.  Run to him.