Passage Summary & Reflection: This passage gives us a string of Jesus’ miracles…and, man, are they intense! From a boat trip to a herd of pigs to the resurrection of a little girl to a bleeding woman, Jesus’ authority is made evident and each incident has something to teach us.
Let’s start with the boat trip: The disciples could cope with normal storms quite well. They had been in storms on this lake many other times. They were experts at handling their boat in rough waters. At first they probably thought, “No problem, we can handle it.” But this storm brought them to the end of themselves and showed them how they were trusting in themselves. Jesus questioned them — “Where is your faith?” He is teaching His disciples how they’re supposed to live the Christian life in really hard, crazy, scary, and life-threatening situations. He didn’t rebuke them for their fear…they were justified in that; but what Jesus is asking them to consider is if they have adequately understood who is it who is with them on the boat and if they have factored that reality into this life-threatening situation and if they have put their faith in Him for the living of the Christian life. “Where is your faith? Is it in Me? If it is, I’m right here. I didn’t go anywhere. I was right there with you. Where is your faith?”
The boat trip ends and the arrive across the lake in the Gerasenes; and, what they encounter there is dramatic and of another spiritual realm. A man greets them…a man possessed by demons. If we define “demons” as those forces which have captured us and prevented us from becoming what God intends us to be, we are as surrounded by/possessed by as many demons as those whom Jesus encountered. Our demons can be of many kinds: mental illnesses, schizophrenia, paranoia, addictions, obsessions, destructive habits, and so on.
In scripture when Jesus confronts “demons” they have 3 things in common: they cause self-destructive behavior in the victim, the victim feels trapped in that condition, and they separate the victim from normal living in the family circle. Isn’t this true for the demons we face?
The point of this story, as well as all the demon-healing stories in the Gospels is that the power of God can cast out demons. Perhaps we need to consider how we are experiencing and proclaiming this transformation that Jesus offers us.
Next, we find Jesus landing back on the other side of the lake and surrounded by a crowd…nothing uncommon for him; but out of the crowd came a man named Jairus begging him to come and heal is daughter. Jesus agrees, but on his way, he gets interrupted. A woman touches him and is immediately healed from a bleeding issue that she’d experienced for 12 years. She touched him and the bleeding stopped. Jesus could have just continued on his way. I mean the woman had been healed and he was on a mission heading to Jairus’ house…so why did he call her out and draw attention to her?
Because, if her cure had taken place without Jesus making it known publicly, she would have had a most impossible time removing from the inhabitants of the town the prejudice and scorn that she had met with for years. Jesus knew this…he understood her circumstances and knew that testifying publicly would change her relationship with these people.
By the time they make it to Jairus’ house, the daughter has died. Can you imagine how Jairus is feeling? Anger that they were delayed by this woman? Fear that he had risked his reputation as a synagogue ruler by bowing before Jesus? Intense grief of the news of his daughter’s death?
Jesus’ power is on display here; and it’s incredible, it’s dramatic, and it’s beautiful…He has the power to raise the dead! In the most dire of circumstances – from a life-threatening disease to demon possession to a prolonged illness to death – Jesus has power and authority!
But what if Jesus does not choose to deliver us from our crisis, from these difficult situations like we are requesting, even when we know that He cares for us; and we know that He has all power and authority? What do we do then? Our testimony, our faith should still move us to say: “I still believe in your faithfulness, in your Word…even when I don’t see, I still believe!”
Personal Reflection: Consider, reflect, journal, talk about the following questions as a way to personally examine and own the scripture:
· Where is your faith when the unexpected comes – shocking diagnosis, family drama, employment issues, scary and dangerous circumstances – where is your faith?
· To what extent are you experiencing the transforming power of Christ? What, in your life, is only explainable by the spiritual power of Jesus? Are you proclaiming the transforming power to others?
· Does your hope in Christ affect your actions – do you trust in his power?
· How do Jesus’ miracles reveal both His power and His deep compassion for people?
Prayer: Almighty, Divine God…help us to recognize your power and authority in our lives, even in the midst of storms and challenges. May we always choose faith and trust in you, not worry and fear. Help us to know deeply that you are capable of working miracles in our lives. Amen.
