Reasons to Believe in Christ

Jesus' Authority Over Demons

Jesus steps out of the boat and is immediately confronted by a demon-possessed man from the city. This man is naked, living not in a house but among the tombs. When he sees Jesus, he cries out and falls down before him, saying,

What have you to do with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.

For Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. This demon had seized him many times; 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.

Jesus asks him, "What is your name?" He replies, "Legion," for many demons had entered him. They begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. A large herd of pigs was feeding on the hillside, and they begged to enter them. Jesus gave them permission. The demons came out of the man, entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.

The herdsmen fled and told what had happened in the city and country. People 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. They were afraid. Those who had seen it told how the demon-possessed man had been healed. All the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart, seized with great fear. Jesus got into the boat and returned.

The man begged to be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying,

Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.

He went away proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

Demons recognize Jesus immediately and are terrified at his sight. They fall before him, calling him Son of the Most High God, begging not to be tormented. Jesus merely appears, and they freak out. He asks the name to reveal to us it's a multiplicity—Legion, many demons. They beg not to be sent to the abyss, their prison. They even beg to enter pigs, which then drown. Why beg? Demons need God's permission to enter or leave a person, as seen in Job and with Peter. Jesus demonstrates total authority: demons obey him completely.

The Assurance of Salvation in Luke

Luke gives assurance of what we have believed. Jesus shows power to forgive sins. People rejoice at the sight of him, excited about forgiveness, proving he is the Savior. Real Christians hear and obey God's Word—not just listen, but do it. They obey parents, authorities (unless sin), avoid drunkenness and fornication, value God supremely. They endure trials, maintaining faith.

Jesus commands the weather: wind and waves obey his word, just as in creation. From calming the storm—where disciples feared death, yet he slept—he now commands demons. This progression shows his authority over creation and spiritual forces, assuring us he can forgive sins.

This healed man illustrates salvation: freed from demons, leaving the graveyard of spiritual death, returning home transformed. Christ says proclaim what God has done—like us, forgiven of sins, more significant than exorcism. If you don't proclaim, where is your faith?

Faith in the Face of Hopelessness

Next, Jairus, a synagogue ruler—wealthy, connected—implores Jesus for his dying 12-year-old daughter. A woman with a 12-year discharge of blood, having spent everything on physicians, unable to be healed, touches Jesus' garment fringe. Immediately, her flow ceases.

Jesus says, "Who touched me?" Peter notes the pressing crowd, but Jesus perceives power gone out. Trembling, she declares publicly how she touched him and was healed. He says,

Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.

Her faith was the instrument for healing power from Jesus—just as faith receives forgiveness of sins.

While speaking, word comes: Jairus' daughter is dead; don't trouble Jesus. But Jesus says,

Do not fear, only believe, and she will be well.

At the house, amid weeping, he says,

Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.

They laugh, knowing she's dead. Jesus takes her hand: "Child, arise." Her spirit returns; she gets up. He directs food for her. Parents are amazed; he charges silence.

These stories highlight hopelessness: unhealable illness, death. Human efforts fail. Sin is worse—total ruin, impossible to fix alone. Yet touching Jesus heals instantly, permanently. She defiles him by law, but he cleanses her. Faith publicly proclaimed brings peace.

Even death? Do not fear, only believe. Death is like sleep to Jesus—he raises her. We are dead in sins; he makes alive spiritually, will do physically. Abraham believed resurrection for Isaac's promise (Hebrews 11). Faith marries reason: trust God despite appearances.