Commanding Storms and Demons
TRANSLATION
(22) One day Jesus got into a boat with his disciples and said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, (23) and, as they sailed, he fell asleep. And a windstorm broke on the lake, the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger (of swamping). (24) And they came (to Jesus) and woke him crying, “Master, Master, we are about to perish!” And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves. They subsided, and there was a calm. (25) He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were both afraid and amazed and said to one another, “Who is this that commands the wind and waves, and they obey him?”
(26) And they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes which is across the lake from Galilee. (27) And when Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon possessed man from the town. For a long time he had worn no clothes nor stayed in any house but lived among the tombs. (28) When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet. With a loud voice, he demanded, “What have I to do with you, Jesus, Son of the most high God? I beg you not to torment me.” (29) For Jesus had commanded the demon to leave the man, for it had often seized him, and, though he had been kept under guard and chained, he had broken the restraints and had been driven into solitary places. (30) Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, “Legion,” for many demons possessed him. (31) And they begged Jesus not to banish them to the abyss.
(32) Now a large herd of pigs was there feeding on a nearby hillside, and (the demons) begged Jesus to allow them to enter the pigs. When he gave them permission, (33) the demons left the man, entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. (34) And when the herdsmen saw what had happened, they rushed off and reported it in the town and the countryside. (35) When the people came out to see what had happened, they found Jesus and the man from whom the demons had departed sitting at his feet, clothed, and in his right mind. And they were terrified. (36) And those who had seen it reported to everyone how the demon possessed man had been delivered. (37) Then all those who lived in the country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, for they were overcome with fear. So Jesus got into the boat to return (to Galilee). (38) The man from whom the demons had departed begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, (39) “Return to your home and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went his way, telling everyone in the town what great things Jesus had done for him.
OBSERVATIONS
Jesus’ divine power over nature and the demonic world was on display in this segment. Repetitions of “lake” (vss. 22 & 23), “windstorm/wind/winds” (vss. 23, 24, & 25), “waves” (vss. 24 & 25), and “woke/awoke” (vs. 24) are found in the first paragraph of this segment describing the miracle of Jesus calming the storm.
The following paragraphs which describe Jesus healing the demon possessed man contain the following repetitions: “country of the Gerasenes” (vss. 26 & 37), “demons/demon-possessed” (vss. 27, 30, 35, 36, & 38) as well as “Legion” (vs. 30), and “has/had done for you/him” (vs. 39). In both cases Jesus overcame superhuman powers, one in the realm of nature protecting his disciples from great peril and the other in the realm of the spirit world, freeing a man enslaved by demons from the power of the evil one.
OUTLINE
I. Jesus displayed his power over the natural realm by calming the storm. (22-25)
II. Jesus displayed his power over the supernatural realm by delivering the demoniac. (26-39)
IDEA STATEMENT
Because Jesus reigns supreme over both the natural and supernatural realms, we need not fear anything we may face.
APPLICATION
Psychologists sometimes take surveys to find out what people fear the most. In today’s world that list can include terrorist attacks, nuclear warfare, criminal behavior, or just enduring solitude. In Jesus’ world, two major sources of fear were on display in this segment: the threat of sudden death from unexpected physical forces in the realm of nature and the threat of demonic oppression in the realm of the supernatural. Jesus’ control of the storm on the Sea of Galilee and his dealing with the demon possessed man convincingly demonstrated his sovereignty over all that his disciples (and we) might ever have to face. In each case, his spoken command brought about a calm resolution. Whatever we fear, either natural or supernatural, we can rest assured that Jesus is greater and far more powerful. His will and purpose reign supreme, and we can confidently trust our lives to his loving care.