Simplicity and Contentment: Daily Devotions for a Fulfilling Life

THURSDAY, 9 NOVEMBER 2023

TEXT: 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.

(New International Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: EVERY KNEE BOWS AT JESUS’ AUTHORITY

If only man could recognize the authority inherent in the presence of Jesus Christ, he would worry less.

It is expedient for man to know the person of Jesus on a daily basis and acknowledge His Lordship. This is exactly what the Bible means when it says, "Behold, he that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep" (Ps.121:4).

Our text shows that by sleeping in the ship, Jesus was not disconnected from what was happening to His people and all of creation.

Truly, as God in human form, He slept off but the authority He carried wasn't suspended. So, He could relax when others were afraid, see verses 24-25.

The storms in our lives will certainly cease if we go to Jesus in faith. Even the knee of nature's storm bowed at His rebuke.

Life's storms may include sickness, poverty and spiritual storms like the demon that possessed the man in verses 27-30. Their knees bowed at Jesus' authority, verses 30-33.

Jesus' actions in both encounters showed how much value He places on human souls. If you recognize His authority by believing in Him, you can take your life's storms to Him and He will declare, "peace be still," and calmness shall reign.

QUESTION: Do you have Jesus in the boat of your life?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, grant me a deeper knowledge of Your person and the authority embodied therein so that I may not fear the storms of life any more, in Jesus name. Amen.