The Saving Power of Jesus’ Words – June 24, 2022

Read: Luke 8:26-39

People went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet. He was clothed and in his right mind, and the people were afraid.
Luke 8:35

The Saving Power of Jesus’s Words

 

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The man we just read about… wow, what a story. He was strong enough to break chains. A large number of demons had come to live in him. (Side note: You might remember that demons were created as angels sometime during the six days of creation but sinned against God and were thrown out of heaven.) And this man was sad, angry, tormented—life was pretty miserable! He lived outside of town, and people were afraid of him.

Until Jesus showed up. Jesus wasn’t afraid to come and visit the man.

When you read this section of Luke 8, did you hear what the man first said? Or rather—did you catch what the demons said when Jesus appeared? “What do I have to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?” The demons were terrified when Jesus came!

That’s the thing. Jesus came to rescue the man. He rescues the man by commanding the demons to go out of the man. And just like that—they did! The man was trapped, and Jesus rescued him. Jesus is a hero! These demons gave the man strength. He was so strong that he could break chains—yet a simple word from Jesus, and the demons had to obey! God’s Word is powerful!

God’s powerful word changed this man’s life. The demons were gone, and the man wasn’t afraid or in pain anymore. Jesus had rescued him. Jesus changed his life—from a life of pain and frustration, of fear and sadness, into a life where he knew the love of God and was able to live as a normal person.

At first, the demons were afraid when Jesus showed up. But when the rest of the townspeople show up—they were afraid because they saw how strong Jesus is! They were afraid of Jesus because his words are stronger than demons and stronger than chains.

This same Jesus rescued you and me. He even used the exact same tool to rescue us! Jesus used his Word, which drives out the devil and creates faith in a person’s heart. All the power of Jesus that we hear about in Luke 8 is power that Jesus still uses to bless you and encourage you today.

And even though Jesus rescued that demon-possessed man, he left the man where he was: “Go, tell how much God has done for you.” Jesus promised his words, even as he sent that man as his witness.

Rescued by the powerful words of Jesus: Jesus has left you here too, even though he has rescued you and prepared you for heaven. Please join me in telling how much God has done for us.

Closing Prayer:

Thank you, Jesus, for rescuing me from the power of the devil. Give me confidence that you want to rescue others through your Word, which still has power over Satan. Lead me to speak of all that you have done for me. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• What is the most important thing God has done for you?
• How did Jesus rescue the man?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• If you met the man in today’s reading (after Jesus rescued him), what do you think he would say to you?
• Why were the townspeople afraid of Jesus?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Some people try to change Luke 8 by saying the man simply had a mental health crisis. What in the reading shows that this isn’t a simple mental health problem? Why might someone want to downplay the concept of demonic possession?
• The man wanted to come with Jesus. Try to name two or three reasons why he would want to come with Jesus. Did he hold a grudge when Jesus said no? How do you know this from the text?