Authority

The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!” Luke 8:25

IT MIGHT SEEM that the four scenes Luke records in chapter 8 of his Gospel are merely a chronicle of happenings in the ministry of Jesus. But Luke has put his record together with divinely inspired intention. In this series of scenarios, we’re meant to see something significant about Jesus, namely about his power and authority. First, a storm came up on the Sea of Galilee. The disciples were terrified, certain that their boat was about to sink. But with a word, Jesus rebuked the wind, and there was instant calm. Next we read about a naked man who had been driven mad by the inhabitation of demons. Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to come out, and after all the commotion, the townspeople came out to see the former madman clothed and in his right mind. Later, a woman who had been hemorrhaging for twelve years dared to press in to Jesus. With just a touch, the flow of blood ceased. Finally, a synagogue leader’s daughter had died, but Jesus told her to arise, and she got up and ate.

Luke wanted the readers of his Gospel to grasp the pervasive nature of the power and authority of Jesus. And because the Word of God is living and active, when we read this chapter, we can be sure that God wants us to grasp the pervasive nature of the power and authority of Jesus too. Sometimes as parents we feel completely out of control, like we are about to sink in a storm of raging forces beyond our control. But these circumstances are not out of Christ’s control. Sometimes we fear that the enemy has taken over and threatens to rob us and our children of sanity and dignity. But his power is firmly subservient to Christ’s power. We are tempted to give up hope that long-term issues will be resolved or that new life can invade the dead places in our lives. That’s why we need the hope found in Luke 8, or more specifically the Hope Giver of Luke 8.

Jesus, you know the storm that rages in our family and the fear we feel that this will take us down for good. Speak your peace into our chaos. Jesus, you know the evil that threatens the sanity and purity in our home. Protect us from the evil one. Jesus, you know the long-term issues that never seem to find resolution. Touch us with your healing power. Jesus, you know the dead places in our hearts and in our relationships. Infuse us with your life.