LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for Oct. 24: No one is beyond the healing powers of Christ_101804

Posted: 10/15/04

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for Oct. 24

No one is beyond the healing powers of Christ

Luke 8:1-56

By Pakon Chan

Chinese Baptist Church, Arlington

Through several miracles, Jesus demonstrated his power over natural disasters, evil spirits, sickness and death. These miracles also served as proof that Jesus' teaching was the word of God, because only God can have such power.

Jesus' power over natural disaster

There was a lake called the Sea of Galilee. Storms often rose suddenly on it, and fishermen usually would stay closer to Capernaum to avoid getting swept into it. The other side of the Sea of Galilee was the region of Decapolis, where more Gentiles lived than Jews. Jesus knew why he wanted to go there. His message was not only given to Jews but to all people. Anyone who hears God's word and puts it into practice is his brother or sister (8:21).

Jesus probably was very tired and went to sleep in the boat while they were sailing on the lake. This time, they had to sail across the lake, because their Master had asked them to do so. “A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger” (v. 23).

Sometimes we may need to get out of our comfort zone and go beyond secure regions to do something for the Lord. This easily could expose us to danger and challenges. When danger comes and we do not know how to manage it, our immediate reaction is that we want God to intervene and deliver us. But sometimes we perceive no response from above. This was the emotion the disciples experienced when they went to wake Jesus, and said to him, “Master, Master, we are going to drown!” (v. 24).

“Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters” (v. 24). Jesus knows exactly when and what needs to be done to help us in any situation where we cannot help ourselves. He is the Lord who can even subdue the nature. He must be able to save us from the worst situation of our lives.

Jesus' power over evil spirits

Jesus went into a community which was despised by Jews. It was a place where people kept and sold pigs for a living. Certainly, they were pig consumers. Jesus even stepped into the graveyard, considered by Jews an unclean place. Jesus intentionally brought his message to the “unclean” people.

People discriminate between groups of peoples and associate with people according to their prejudice. But God wants to save all people. We can come to God, no matter who we are and what we have done in the past.

The demon-possessed man came to meet Jesus. Luke told us this man had been seized by the evil spirit many times (v. 29). He might have been a failure in the past in resisting the evil spirit, but this time Jesus completely released him from such tortures forever. Jesus has power over evil spirits and is able to destroy any spiritual bondage and set us free.

Jesus' power over sickness & death

After Jesus had driven the evil spirit from the man, he returned to the other side of the lake. He was welcomed by a crowd of people. In the midst of this crowd, there was a woman who had suffered from 12 years of bleeding.

Her sickness might be an irregular menstrual cycle which made her bleed all month long. Women under the Jewish law were considered unclean during the menstrual cycle (Leviticus 15:19-33).

This woman suffered physically and spiritually and was not allowed to appear in public. That was the reason she wanted to hide her identity when she touched Jesus' cloak and did not want to show herself when Jesus first asked who had touched him (v. 45).

The healing event occurred on Jesus' way to Jairus' house. Jairus' daughter–his only child–was dying. We cannot imagine how desperate he was when he asked for help from this itinerant rabbi. While Jesus was sending the woman away, someone from the house of Jairus came and told Jairus his daughter was dead, and Jesus wasn't needed (v. 49). They might believe Jesus was a godly prophet who had the power to heal the sick. They could not imagine Jesus was the Son of God and had powers of resurrecting the dead. Jesus only required his disciples, the woman and Jairus to have faith in him to see the miracles.

People in those four situations were all coming to their “dead ends.” The disciples were caught in the middle of the storm, and their boat was sinking. The demon-possessed man failed so many times in the past that when he met Jesus, he was possessed by a legion of evil spirits. A woman had suffered 12 years of sickness and shame and never had thought she was worthy for public acceptance. Jairus' daughter was his only child, and she was dead.

These four situations can represent all types of life situations. They represent all people, Jews and gentiles, men and women, society's elite and the ordinary people. Anyone in any life situation can come to Jesus. Jesus can save all those who have faith in him.

Discussion questions

Why did Jesus want to meet these four people?

Have you received Jesus as your personal Savior? If you have not received him yet, he is now calling you to put your faith in him.