Luke 8:26-56
Luke 8:26-56
Today’s passage covers three crazy stories. As we’ve been reading through Luke, we’ve seen Jesus’ power and authority displayed several times. Here again, it’s on full display. As we consider these three stories, something else stood out to be while reading—that uncleanness doesn’t make Jesus impure. Instead, Jesus’ purity heals the unclean.
In verse 29, we see the demons possessing the man described as “unclean” spirits. Demonic forces are described this way several times in scripture. The man was trapped with no hope of freedom. However, when the unclean Spirits saw Jesus, they recognized his power for what it was. Jesus sent the unclean spirits into unclean animals who slaughtered themselves.
One commentator described the restoration of this man this way:
“Instead of being driven by the demon (8:29), he was “sitting” (8:35); instead of being without clothes (8:27), he was “dressed” (8:35); instead of being among the tombs (8:27), he was “at Jesus’ feet” (8:35; cf. 10:39 and Acts 22:3); and instead of being “chained hand and foot and kept under guard” (Luke 8:29), he was “in his right mind” (8:35).”
Demonic power destroyed this man’s life. Jesus’ power and purity restored it completely.
The second and third stories run together. Jesus was on his way to heal the dying 12 year old girl when he was touched by the bleeding woman. For 12 years, she had been ceremonially unclean. She had not been able to worship at the Temple. She had not been able to offer sacrifices. Anyone she touched would be unclean as well—except Jesus. Instead of her touch making Jesus unclean, it made her well.
Finally, although Jesus should have been considered unclean, the fact that he could still raise the child from the dead by the power of his word again proves his power and purity.
I talk to people who feel unlovable. They feel the shame of their past and can’t understand how such a pure and powerful God would love them. We must remember that our salvation isn’t based on our merit—Christ doesn’t love us because we were good people. He reached down into the mire of sin and pulled us up. Our sin doesn’t contaminate him, his power and purity restores us by grace through faith. Our sin shouldn’t cause us to hide from Jesus, it should cause us to run to him.
Reflection:
As you think about the restoration of the possessed man, what are some of the ways God has changed and restored you?
By: Tyler Short
Today’s passage covers three crazy stories. As we’ve been reading through Luke, we’ve seen Jesus’ power and authority displayed several times. Here again, it’s on full display. As we consider these three stories, something else stood out to be while reading—that uncleanness doesn’t make Jesus impure. Instead, Jesus’ purity heals the unclean.
In verse 29, we see the demons possessing the man described as “unclean” spirits. Demonic forces are described this way several times in scripture. The man was trapped with no hope of freedom. However, when the unclean Spirits saw Jesus, they recognized his power for what it was. Jesus sent the unclean spirits into unclean animals who slaughtered themselves.
One commentator described the restoration of this man this way:
“Instead of being driven by the demon (8:29), he was “sitting” (8:35); instead of being without clothes (8:27), he was “dressed” (8:35); instead of being among the tombs (8:27), he was “at Jesus’ feet” (8:35; cf. 10:39 and Acts 22:3); and instead of being “chained hand and foot and kept under guard” (Luke 8:29), he was “in his right mind” (8:35).”
Demonic power destroyed this man’s life. Jesus’ power and purity restored it completely.
The second and third stories run together. Jesus was on his way to heal the dying 12 year old girl when he was touched by the bleeding woman. For 12 years, she had been ceremonially unclean. She had not been able to worship at the Temple. She had not been able to offer sacrifices. Anyone she touched would be unclean as well—except Jesus. Instead of her touch making Jesus unclean, it made her well.
Finally, although Jesus should have been considered unclean, the fact that he could still raise the child from the dead by the power of his word again proves his power and purity.
I talk to people who feel unlovable. They feel the shame of their past and can’t understand how such a pure and powerful God would love them. We must remember that our salvation isn’t based on our merit—Christ doesn’t love us because we were good people. He reached down into the mire of sin and pulled us up. Our sin doesn’t contaminate him, his power and purity restores us by grace through faith. Our sin shouldn’t cause us to hide from Jesus, it should cause us to run to him.
Reflection:
As you think about the restoration of the possessed man, what are some of the ways God has changed and restored you?
By: Tyler Short
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