Luke 8:22-39 — Stormy? Crazy? Jesus-y?

READ THIS: Luke 8:22-39

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.” 

26 They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, 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. 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.

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

There are two parallel stories happening here: Jesus calming the storm and Jesus curing the man possessed by a demon. In both, Jesus has control over something that everyone thinks is a lost cause. The disciples think they are for sure going to drown, and there is no solution. The villagers think the demon-possessed man is crazy, and that there is no healing him (think about verse 27 and 29...does that sound like a situation that will ever change?)

Jesus proves everyone wrong. There is no such thing as a lost cause with Jesus. When all we see is the storm or the craziness, Jesus sees a solution. But, that solution can look miraculous and awesome (the seas settling), or it can look more chaotic and painful (the pigs jumping off cliffs). Are we prepared to go to Jesus with each storm and each craziness, even if the solution/result isn't exactly what we pictured?

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. Jesus doesn't let the formerly demon-possessed man go with Jesus (v38-39). Why not? Where do you think Jesus wants you to go vs where He does NOT want you to go?

2. What is a storm in your life? What is a craziness in your life? Have you brought it to Jesus?

TRY THIS:

1) Try talking to Jesus about BOTH questions today!

2) Curious whether demon possession is just a Biblical term for mental health in Scripture?! Learn more here!