The Power of Jesus to Rescue You – No Matter What.  (Luke 8:22-56)

Today, I want to share with you some passages of scripture that talk about the power of God. So, the power that Jesus exercised when he was on the earth is the subject for this session. So, I'm going to begin reading with verse 22. But before I do, let me say this: we're going to look at a long passage of scripture. We're going to look all the way down to verse 56. So, I'm not going to read the whole passage all at once. I'm going to read each section as we come to it. 

Within it there are four stories about the power that Jesus exercised. (previous)

The first one starts with verse 22:"

Jesus Calms the Storm.

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.”

(Luke 8: 22-25)

The story begins on the west side of the Sea of Galilee, and Jesus says to the disciples, 'Let's cross the lake to the east side of the Sea of Galilee.' That trip would have taken about two hours. No sooner did the boat launch, but Jesus fell asleep. 

This is the only time in all of the bible where it says that Jesus slept. Being a human as well as God, he no doubt got physically weary and needed sleep. 

While he's sleeping, a storm stirs up. Now, that was not unusual on the Sea of Galilee. The Sea of Galilee is surrounded by hills, and it's not unusual for the winds to come sweeping off those hills and stirring up a storms on the sea. 

These fishermen were well acquainted with this sort of weather. Remember, these are experienced fishermen, but this must have fierce storm. Because at the storms hight they go to him and say, help, we're perishing.' Now, for professional fishermen to say that indicates this was a pretty severe storm. 

As we know from the text Jesus wakes up and commands the wind and the raging waves to cease, and they stop, and the sea was calm. What a great picture! Just imagine being in that boat, tossed all over the place, thinking you're going to be tossed we are going to capsize , then all of a sudden, it's calm. 

Perhaps we should point out that there's no storm that's too big, there's no wind that's too fierce, there's no wave that's too high, that the Lord can't handle. For us that can mean if we lose your job, there's an illness, maybe even a death of a loved one, a problem with a child, whatever the storm, Jesus has the power to do something about it.

Now, they're experienced fishermen, and they're reasonably experienced disciples by this point. They've seen him work miracle after miracle by now, but here's what he says to them, 'Where is your faith?' After you saw me do so many things, did you think I was going to let you perish”? 

I mean they must have thought we are going to die, our lives are in jeopardy.' But do you think God is going to allow his son to sink and drown in a boat? You think God is going to let us disciples die on the sinking of a boat with his son aboard? Come on, where's your faith, Jesus says?

So, they are booth afraid and amazed at the same time, saying to one another, 'Who can this be that he commands even the waves and the water, and the wind, and the water that they should obey him?' 

Interesting, they looked around and they saw danger, they looked inside themselves and they saw fear. What they didn't do is look up and see God. 

So, I think this little episode is trying to teach us that when there's a storm, we should trust the Lord to deliver us. Very simple, right?"

Second episode, coming up. But remember the first demonstrated that Jesus has power over nature; But in the second is he will demonstrate he has power over the demonic realmss. All right, so they launched out from one side of the Sea of Galilee.

Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man.

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.

(Luke 8: 26-39)

Now, they make it to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, the region of the Gadarenes. Verse 26 says it is Gentile territory, so the are no longer in Jewish territory, and it is there that Jesus meets a demon-possessed man. 

Demons possessed man cries out, and says, 'What do I have to do with you, Jesus, Son of Man, Son of the Most High God?' So, these demons recognize that Jesus was the Son of God and that he was the Messiah. That’s, very interesting.

The demons are wreaking havoc with this man. In fact, this passage says he wore was naked, he didn't live in a house either, he lived in a cemetery among the graves, and he was so wild and out of his mind that the people had tied him up. But, Jesus then speaks to the demons and says 'What is your name?' and they said, 'Legion.' Now, 'legion' is a word that refers to a segment of the army. 

A Roman legion consisted of 6000 men. So, the idea here is not exactly 6000, but it is saying this man is oppressed by many demons. So, it wasn't just one demon; it is many demons. The text then says, they said, 'Don't send us to the abyss.' Now, we know from the book of Revelations that that's where Satan and the demons are going to end up eventually, but in the meantime, they say, 'Don't send us there.'

Verse 32 says, 'A herd of swine was feeding on the mountain.' So, they begged him that he would allow them to enter the pigs, and he gave them permission. Sure enough, they entered the pigs, and the pigs immediately run down the hill and drowned in the Sea of Galilee. In other words, Satan and his demons do nothing but cause destruction and ultimately death. They all but have destroyed this poor man that they possessed, and now they kill the pigs they inhabit. It's just a great picture of the fact that that's what Satan does to people.

At any rate, Jesus has now exercised power in that he has committed an exorcism. He's relieved this man of his demon possession. 

Now, from verse 35, this is about the people in the town. When they saw what happened, they came to Jesus and found the man who had been possessed with demons sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. Doesn't that strike you as strange? I mean, they just saw this great miracle, and their response is fear. 

That's probably because they saw something very strange, something they had never seen before. So, if you saw a man with that kind of power, what would you want to do, maybe follow him.

But look what they did, verse 36: Those who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region begged him to depart.' Are you kidding me? 'For they were seized with great fear.' Imagine seeing this kind of a miracle, and they didn't believe. The demons believed that he was the Son of God; they saw a miracle and they didn't believe. They asked Jesus to leave, of all things. Astonishing. So, that is exactly what Jesus does, he got in the boat and left. 

Jesus knocks at the door, but he will not knock it down; you have to open it. 

Well, in this case they metaphorically slammed it in his face, so he turned around and left. The one person who got it was this guy who say to Jesus, let me go with you.' Drop down to verse 39. Jesus says, 'No, return to your own house and tell people what great things God has done for you. 

Interesting. There's one thing that's happening in this little segment: Jesus is exercising power over demons. The other thing that's happening that most, if not virtually all, didn't. So, in this little segment, there's a combination of Jesus' power and belief. Some didn't, and the one that did is told to go home and tell everybody what happened to you, which is to say that witnessing should begin at home. 

The most difficult place in the world to witness is probably your family. But if you think about it; that's where we should start, right? 

John chapter one, Andrew and the man who later became the apostle John, spent the day with Jesus, and the text says, Andrew first found his own brother Simon and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah.'"

That is the classic illustration of "go home, go and tell your brother." 

So, two episodes so far: the first, he's demonstrated power over nature, and the second, he's demonstrated power over demons. Let's pick up the story in verse 40.

Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman.

40 Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.

As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years,[c] but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”

46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”

47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

(Luke 8: 40-48)

Let's pause again for a moment in the narrative. Jesus is on a crowded road when a synagogue ruler approaches Him, urgently seeking help for his 12-year-old daughter who is critically ill. The ruler, akin to a synagogue president, was deeply religious and responsible for various functions within the synagogue.

A historical insight suggests that the daughter's age of 12 might be significant, possibly indicating her readiness for marriage. In that culture at that time. Regardless, she is gravely ill, turning whatshould have been and exciting start of life into a nightmare. The desperate father implores Jesus to intervene as his daughter is on the brink of death.

As Jesus heads toward the ruler's house, a woman in the crowd, afflicted with a severe 12-year-long issue of continuous bleeding, reaches out to touch the edge of His garment. This woman's condition renders her ceremonially unclean, causing physical, social, and psychological challenges. Every day she  faces societal rejection and isolation.

The contrast between the synagogue ruler and the unnamed woman is stark. The ruler is a wealthy, leading figure in the community, while the woman is impoverished and lonely, having spent all her resources on failed medical treatments.  

What I find intriguing is the woman spent all her money on doctors without finding healing. 

The woman's act of touching Jesus' garment reflects her faith, a powerful element in her healing. Jesus, fully aware of who touched Him, publicly asks about it, possibly to affirm her social acceptance. By acknowledging her, Jesus provides her with an opportunity for public acceptance after years of being an outcast due to her condition.

When she bravely confesses her action, Jesus addresses her as "Daughter" with tenderness, emphasizing her restored well-being. The Greek word for "well" is sometimes translated as "saved," indicating more than physical healing has occurred here. Se is delivered from her ailment, and her sin all at once.

Jesus tells her, "Your faith has saved you." This expression implies a comprehensive salvation, extending beyond the physical realm. He concludes with the comforting words, "Go in peace," indicating a state beyond physical healing, even though her initial encounter might have caused some turmoil.

Now, this was an interruption; he was on his way to the little girl. So, let's go back to that story. 

49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”

50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”

51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”

53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” 55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

(Luke 8: 49-54)

She died; it's too late, Jesus cannot help her? Now, what's wrong with this picture? Jesus was a teacher, but he was so much more than that, as all these miracles should have demonstrated that, right? 

Furthermore, if you understand that, he's just demonstrated his power over nature, over demons, over disease. You'd think he might have some power over death; I mean, that would have been a logical conclusion. But they didn't draw that conclusion. 

So, verse 50 says, "When Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, 'Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.'" And when he came into the house, he didn’t allow anyone in except Peter, James, and John and the father and mother of the girl. Outside everyone wept and mourned for the girl. And he said, 'Do not weep; she is not dead but sleeps.'"

"Oh, I thought she was dead. In fact, she was dead. So why did Jesus say she was asleep." 

Here's what's going on: the mother and father were weeping, for sure; all the people were probably feeling for the parents as well as the girl, and they were weeping. There were also probably professional mourners present, and when somebody died, they actually hired people to come mourn. So, Jesus says, "Don't weep; she's only asleep." 

Now, in the New Testament, sleep is used as a metaphor for death. It's a way of saying death is not permanent; just hang on. "Don't weep" (verse 53), and they ridiculed him, knowing she was dead. 

Now, there's no question about the fact that she was dead. But he told them to all wait outside, took her by the hand, and called, saying,  arise, and her spirit returned.

She was dead, and she arose immediately, and he commanded that she be given something to eat. Her parents were astonished, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened. He didn't want this one to get out yet.

So again, we have belief and unbelief in this story. The point is Jesus had power over death. Some believed, and some just shook their heads; they didn't quite get it. They were astonished, and he told them, "Don't tell anybody. I'm not ready for this to get out yet." 

Now, what I've done so far  is that I've simply told what the passage says, and we've looked at four areas over which Jesus has power: his power over nature, his power over demons, his power over disease, and his power over death. 

Therefore the miracles in this passage point to the fact that Jesus has power over nature, disease, and death, which means he can rescue us from these things that cause us dread, devastation, and death. 

Now woven through this passage are two simple truths: Jesus has power, but we need to have faith.

I think it is interesting; it would have been easy to take each one of these and talk about them. (in Matthew I did) But I think Luke deliberately bunched them together. 

As a matter of fact, the first time I was struck with this is I saw this same thing happen in the Gospel of Matthew. 

In Matthew, he goes on for two chapters just listing one miracle after another. There are more than four in Matthew, and it's very evident that what he's doing is saying, "Jesus is a teacher." He preaches the Sermon on the Mount, and then he comes to us with one miracle right after the other, as if Matthew wants to say, "I want to drive home the fact that Jesus has power.

So this whole section: the series of miracles exhibit the power of Christ over the forces of nature, even the powers of hell, over disease, and over death.

Now, that's the part we don't question, right? On Sunday, we don't doubt it or question it until Tuesday or Thursday afternoon, or Friday, or Saturday morning when we've just been hit with the storm or a disease or some problem over which we have no control. 

That's where the second major emphasis of this passage comes in. I think he is saying throughout this passage, he had power, and we need to have faith. 

In verse 25: he said to them in the boat, "Where is your faith?" In verse 48: "Your faith has made you well." Verse 50: "Do not be afraid, only believe, and you will be made well." 

Those are the statements where Jesus said something about faith, but other indications, as I pointed out as we were going through the passage, also indicate other people believed or did not believe. 

So, clearly, the two threads through these four events are Jesus has power; now, the question is, will you believe in it? The point of this message is, if you believe in it, he just may solve your problem. If you don't, he just may not.

I need to clarify one thing before I start, and that is, does that mean every time you believe the Lord, you get an instant solution? I wish. No, not necessarily. I think we've got to put this in the context of the scripture as a whole. 

So, let me be very clear about this – the Lord uses his power to solve our problems, Amen. He answers prayer, Amen. And all of us have experienced that. I trust you've experienced that, Lord, often enough. But I need to insert here this one little idea, he doesn't always do it..

So, what is the point then? The power to either solve the problem or give you the strength to go through it. That brings us to the apostle Paul's metaphor of the thorn in his flesh. 

He asked the Lord three times to take it away, and the Lord said no, but 'my grace is sufficient, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.' Second Corinthians 12:9. 

So, sometimes it's not in solving the problem; the power of God is manifest, sometimes it is manifest in him giving us the strength to go through it.

So, what's the bottom line? Answer, whatever the problem, go to the Lord and ask him to either to solve the problem or to give you the strength to go through it. Amen.

So here is what I want you to put in your pocket and take home tonight – your pride. And when you have a problem, just come to the Lord; he'll solve it or give you the strength to bear up under it.