Last Friday we saw Jesus and His power over the wind and the waves. Tomorrow we will see His power over sickness and death. Today, Jesus shows his sovereignty over the demonic realm. Jesus is teaching His disciples in many tangible ways that His words have authority; authenticating them with Divine Power. Yesterday, the unwielding wind and waves obeyed Jesus’s command and today the legion of demons rightfully bow. His disciples, again, are wowed!

Put yourself in the boat. Watch the waves miraculously still. See the awe on the faces of the disciples as they marvel at Jesus. Put yourself in the desperate condition of the man below. Here is a man who cannot overcome the demons within and other men cannot overcome the demon-possessed man. But Jesus can. Pause to wonder how you would respond if you were the man or if you were a watching witness.

[Luke 8.26-39]

26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” 29 For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.) 30 Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. 32 Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.

34 When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 36 And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. 37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. 38 The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be 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 away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ Imagine the rest of the trip across the lake into Gentile territory. List some things the disciples might be thinking before they get to the other side.

+ Who does Jesus encounter when he “stepped out on land?” [v. 27] What does Jesus do immediately? [v. 29]

+ How does v. 27 and v. 29 describe this man? Where did he come from? Where did he live? What happened as demons seized him?

+ How does the “man” address Jesus and do when he sees Jesus? [v. 28]

+ What do we (and the disciples, crowd and the “new man”) learn from Jesus’s question in v. 30?

+ Notice the same strong verb in both v. 31 and v. 32. Who is in control? Who gives permission?

+ What happens to the demon-possessed pigs? [v. 33]

+ What do the herdsmen do? [v. 34] How do their actions/words propel the rest of the narrative? [v. 35]

+ What did the crowd see as they arrived on the spectacular scene? [v. 35]

+ Paint the picture of the panting crowd and…

+ Compare this picture to the man they had known.

+ Compare and contrast the radically changed man and the radically changed sea.

+ How did the people respond to the one who had authority over the demons? [v. 37]

+ What did the radically changed man “beg” of Jesus? [v. 39]

+ Jesus had a better plan for the man and shared it. What was it?

+ How did the man respond to Jesus’s direction? How do we respond when Jesus has a “better plan” for us?

+ How is this a “safe” training ground for His disciples?

+ Remember the Jewish crowds that were on the opposite shore? [Luke 8:19 + 8:40]

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ As Jesus steps onto the land of your life, what does He see? What might need casting out?

+ Where have you and I seen Jesus calm a storm or heal in an unhealable situation? How has this encounter radically changed you or another?

+ How did you personally respond to Jesus’s display of power in your life? In fear and send Him away, or in earnest and proclaim His name?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ How has Jesus been discipling you and I in this passage...in a safe place?

+ As you soak in God’s power, love, and mercy in His Word, how will it affect how you lead and disciple others as you return to the crowds of life and lists and pressing voices?

+ Who do you see as you step onto dry land...in your home, neighborhood, office, church? How might you and I point them to the power, love, and mercy of Jesus? What tangible expression of Jesus’ love and power can we share with another this week?