Jesus demonstrates authority over the realms of both natural and aberrant phenomena. Reading in Luke 8:22-39, there is one example of Jesus’ authority over a storm and another example of Jesus’ authority over the spiritual world.

In the first incident, Jesus and His disciples were going to the other side of the lake when a storm all of a sudden came upon them. Unexpected storms are common on Galilee but this one was more intense and dangerous. Jesus had fallen asleep so the disciples went over to wake Him up. Jesus got up and immediately rebuked the wind and raging waters causing the storm to subside so all was calm (v. 24).

In the second incident, Jesus and His disciples arrived on the other side of the lake where they met a demon-possessed man. The man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs (v.27).  Many demons had entered into him and they begged Jesus to let them go into some nearby pigs. Jesus gave them permission and the pigs rushed down the steep bank, into the lake, and were drowned (v. 33).

After being cured by Jesus from the demons, the man was seen sitting at Jesus’ feet, cleanly dressed, and in his right mind. Word got out to the people in the region and instead of embracing Jesus, they were overcome with fear and told Jesus to leave their community.

We all face days in life when we need restoration and we should be thankful because we can pray and like rebooting a computer, we can clear out the bad and be restored with a new perspective. Our faith in Jesus eliminates fear of circumstances like in today’s reading about Jesus calming the storm. Our faith in Jesus eliminates our fear from what others can do to us or what Satan can do. The lesson learned in today’s passage is that when crisis situations come up, we should desire to receive a plan through prayer and execute it with faith.

This day with God, I pray that we take in His word and put it into practice so it is implanted into our hearts. That we trust instead of worry. That we go out and fill our day with obedience, gratitude, and humility. That we are energized by knowing Christ has authority over all realms; He is before us and within us.

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