There is a profound connection between the two stories you will read today. In the ancient world large bodies of water were seen as the opening to the realm of evil, chaos and death, the underworld. That’s why, in “the new heavens and the new earth” described by John, “There is no longer any sea” (Revelation 21:1). This realm of chaos is also associated with the serpent whose form Satan takes in Genesis 3. Isaiah speaks of God defeating the primeval chaos monster Rahab, infamous to ancient people (Isaiah 51:9-10; see also Psalm 89:9-10). In other words, Jesus is exercising the power of Yahweh when he stills the storm and then drives a legion of demons into the lake. And he does this with a mere rebuke, not with an extended struggle. It can therefore be said of Jesus what Psalm 29:3 says of Yahweh: “The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.” Psalm 46 pictures the earth being swallowed by the sea. But, says the psalmist, “we will not fear” because, though “nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts”. Jesus wields this powerful word here in this story. And he is still lifting up his voice in the world today. Jesus wields that powerful word, and he himself is that powerful word. There is power in the name of Jesus over whatever chaos might be facing you today. When we submit to his word, our circumstances will follow eventually.
Ask Jesus to make a way through whatever obstacle you feel you are facing today.
Read Luke 8:22-39
