LUKE 8:19-39 THE POWER OF HIS WORDS The emphasis on the word of the Lord in the parable of the sower is illustrated in the events that are recorded in the rest of this chapter. The ministry of the Lord was to reveal who He was in view of the need of "seeking and saving the lost." When the plans and purpose of God is not fully understood, it is easy to find reason to question what the Lord said and did. His mother and brothers were probably trying to keep Him from the stress and consequences of the constant contact and demands made on Him by the multitudes of people wanting healing or who were criticizing. There was even a time when they thought he "was mad." It is a natural response of family members to rally to the need one of them has. It is well for us to learn and then remember the spiritual ties we have to the Lord Jesus Christ are stronger than any other bond we might have. The unity of body, soul and spirit with another person is a wonderful thing because we are joined for life. Our union with Christ is one we experience in life and will also extend through all eternity. By the words He spoke to those who informed Him of the concern of His earthly kin, we learn the importance of the lasting kinship we have with Him when we hear His word and do what He says. That is the value of our intimate family relationship with Him. It is permanent - that relationship lasts forever.
Wind and water stirred at the passing of the Lord Jesus even though He was asleep in the ship. He had plainly identified Himself with all those in the ship when He said, "Let us go over to the other side of the lake." Even though we are sure of the outcome of our life's journey, the events that happen may cause us fear. In our efforts to control a situation in which we are found, we may fret and worry unnecessarily when we do not act in faith. It is not presumption to call upon the Lord to meet our need in the daily events of life. Some of them pose great danger to us if we do not "cast our care upon Him." When a ship is filling with water, even though we know "Christ is in the vessel" and we can "smile at the storm," it usually doesn't come to us to react in that way. Whether they made a mistake in waking Him or not isn't the main emphasis of this story. The point is that with His word He rebuked the wind (the devil), the raging opposition that causes fear; He rebuked the waves (the world), the elements of the world that threaten those who were on the journey of life that led them to pass that way.
With the power of His word the Lord Jesus Christ pronounced peace that came immediately. Two lessons can be learned from this. One is that when He says a thing, "Let us go over to the other side of the lake," it will be done. We can trust Him to make that happen when our faith in Him is based on His word. No matter what might happen between here and the goal, the outcome is sure. The other lesson is that even in our times of fear and unbelief, He is near and when we call upon His name, He saves us. Satanic opposition, the pressures and temptations of the world, and the fearful trepidation of the flesh can be quickly dealt with when we turn unto the Lord in faith.
The disciples in the boat with the Savior may have wondered if all that had been done in the three years they had been with Him was going to come to nothing if the boat sank. They may have thought the blessings of the kingdom would go down with the ship. We need to remember also that no matter how troublesome our times are, and no matter how far removed the word of God is being forgotten in churches, God is not finished with what He is doing in the world. It seems hopeless to us when we see the rejection of the Gospel, the dying of faithful saints and so few being saved to fill the empty ranks. The great crowds of people who come to hear the smooth words of a false Gospel make us wonder if the ship is sinking. But God is not finished His work in this day of grace yet.
There was a man living in a despised part of that country, living near the despised herd of pigs whose only purpose was to make money for people who did not pay any attention to what the word of God said. Even worse, he was controlled by demons under the power of the devil. We would say, "He is the worst of the worst." And yet in spite of all these negative things, the Lord wanted to reach him. By the power of His word, the demons (under the devil's control) that were in the possessed man, were cast out and went into the herd of pigs. The man who was completely out of self-control (the world) and even chains couldn't hold him, was delivered from that bondage. By the word of the Lord the demons came out of the man, he was in his right mind and he was commissioned to tell others what the Lord had done for him.
We may never know the outcome of the word of God when we present it to those we will never see again. But we know the most effective way we can deal with the needs of people around us is to give them the word of the Lord. Satan cannot defeat the power of God's truth. The world attempts to undermine, and do away with, the word of God. It will fail in that attempt. There is authority in the word of God that overrides every challenge made against it in God's time and way. Over the power of darkness and of the world's system, is the power of the word of the Lord. Our commitment is to that word and that divine authority no matter what others might say or do, or whatever befalls us. His word assures us of our eternal safety and certain hope that we can enjoy now.
Friends, foes and danger around me may crowd. Some pressures are silent and some very loud. Each one seeks to claim authority over me - Manipulating circumstances only by what they can see. But they don't understand that overriding it all - Is the word of the Lord that answers when faith calls. And from the place of authority when the Lord Jesus speaks - Every opposing voice grows quiet and weak.
There is no claim over me the powers of darkness have. Even though with loud voices they continue to rant and rave - Their power was overcome when Christ I received - And grace bestowed divine favor when on Him I believed. His word of authority can take care of my fear. When He speaks peace to my soul, I know He is here. In the middle of tempest and turmoil each wanting to upset - There is assurance to calm the inner man His word does beget.
Attacks by the flesh, the world and the devil - Remind me I live in the presence of evil. But that has no claim on me, for dwelling within Is the Person of the Spirit who gives victory over sin. Whether it is the loss of goods or of health, that doesn't change The commitment of God's grace when to Jesus I came And found in Him and His word all I need to be sure That the promises of His word will forever endure.
"Father of all grace, the blessing of security in the stormy times we live in gives peace to my soul. Evil men and seducers are certainly increasing in number. I thank Thee for allowing us to still continue to proclaim Thy Word and I know its power and authority will never diminish. Give Thy servant the ability to faithfully proclaim Thy truth each time I speak. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."