Day 15: Luke 8:22-39

Prepare your heart for God’s word.

22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

It is clear that God cares to hear our fear, doubt, and our anxiety. Yet this story shares that there is a wonderful by-product of a life with him. Though the storm was strong, there was comfort available to the disciples knowing that Jesus was near.

What is the storm in your life today? 

Express your faith now by simply resting with Jesus. Turn your focus from the storm for this moment to the Prince of Peace who displays rest and calm in the midst of the troubles of this world. 

Luke’s Gospel continues…

26 They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes,[a] which is across the lake from Galilee.27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29 For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.

30 Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”

“Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31 And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.

There are many insights we could draw from this experience. How the demons acknowledged and knew Jesus’ true identity, the discomfort we might feel towards passages of the demonic, or the fact this man was afflicted by a legion of demons. But today, consider this. The enemy’s attack and influence sent this man into isolation- into a solitary place.

Many of us have our own battles- in our minds, emotions and souls. How do you respond to those battles? Are you moved into isolation, or can you courageously share these struggles with a brother and sister in Christ.

As you think of the storms in your life, the battles you are facing, ask for strength from Christ to courageously bring those struggles to a friend; and not to solitary places. 

Scripture continues:

32 A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. 33 When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

34 When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, 35 and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 36 Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. 37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.

38 The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.

Earlier in Luke, Jesus warned how many people will see but not perceive. Here, the community saw the power of Jesus on display, yet they were too focused on the loss of livestock, the unpredictability of Jesus, and the fear of Jesus’ power. They didn’t perceive a member of their community who was sitting at Jesus’ feet and in his right mind.
Pray and ask for Jesus to give you eyes that see the more important things.

This man’s story begins with torture, chaos and isolation. And it ends with restoration, healing and wholeness. Instead of allowing this man to join Jesus’ entourage, Jesus sent him home- to be restored back into his community and perhaps to tell his story to his loved ones.

As you leave this moment, ask that Jesus would send you back to your life- whether your work, your family, your roommates, your friends. Ask Jesus to give you insight in how you can speak your story of restoration and goodness to others.