Spiritual Director · July 20, 2017

Devote #65

The 8th chapter of Luke is packed with some of the most powerful adventures with Jesus.

First, Jesus tells the disciples, He wants to go to the other side of the lake. After departing for the other side, Jesus decides to take a nap. While sailing (evidently there were no motors allowed on this lake), a powerful storm pops up and the boat starts sinking. The disciples panic, wake Jesus up, to which He stands up and orders the wind and the waves to settle down. The Bible says…
“They obeyed and everything was calm.” Luke 8:24 CEV

The next day, on the other side of the lake, Jesus and His disciples are met by a demon possessed man. He’s a menace to society. As a matter of fact, he was bound with chains and leg irons, but even those weren’t strong enough to contain him. These demons had the run-of-the-mill in this area for quite some time and didn’t actually want to be expelled from it, so asked Jesus permission to enter into some pigs. It’s granted and a whole slew of pigs die. Word spreads quickly in the town and everybody comes out to see Jesus and this lunatic, but…
“He had clothes on and was in his right mind.” Luke 8:35 CEV

Then the next day, Jesus and the disciples cross the lake again and are met by a man whose daughter is dying. The man asked Jesus to come to his house – Jesus consented. While on the way, a lady with a bleeding disorder sneaks up on Jesus and touches the fringe of His clothing and she is immediately healed.

On the way to the man’s house,  they’re informed the daughter died, but Jesus continues on anyway. Upon arrival, everyone in the house is weeping and crying because the girl died. Jesus tells them she isn’t dead, but only asleep. The weeping and crying turn into sarcastic laughter. The Bible says…
“The people laughed at Him because they knew she was dead.” Luke 8:53 CEV

Really? Because Jesus went into her room, took her by the hand and brought her back to life!

What’s my point in all of this? Pretty simple! If Jesus can still the winds and the wave… If Jesus can rescue a man full of demons… If Jesus can make the flow of blood stop… If Jesus can bring a young girl back to life… What can He do for you?

I mean, nature couldn’t stop Him. Demons couldn’t stop Him. Health issues couldn’t stop Him and not even death itself could stop Him.

Here’s my word of encouragement for you today: I don’t know what’s attacking you… what you’re battling… what issues you’re facing… or how far gone you think you are, but this I know – nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, can stop Jesus. All creation must submit to its Creator! He is Lord of all!

Father,
Come mightily in my life. Still my storms, make me whole, cleanse me and bring me back to life. In Jesus name I ask this, Amen.

Rev.Dr. MM Marxhausen

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Mark was Spiritual Director for VdC from 2016 to 2019. He's written many of the devotions, especially the Devote and Affirm series, found on this website.