Faith that Frees from Fear

Fear is universal. Whether you are 2 or 102 you have fears. Sometimes people face their fears with a degree of courage. They may be scared, but they go ahead with the right thing anyway. Sometimes people face the same fear or less, yet they totally to go pieces and panic. I submit that the difference is not the intensity of the situation. People have demonstrated courage under extreme stress, while others buckle under comparatively small things. I submit that the difference is not a lack of fear - if you have nothing to be afraid of, you don’t need courage. That is why sometimes young people seem like they are not afraid of anything - they don’t know there is danger, so they aren’t afraid. But ignorance of danger is not courage. Instead, I believe that faith in God can free you from the kind of crippling fear that paralyzes you. Today we will be in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 8. There we will find two stories that reveal how faith in Jesus overcomes fear.

Luke 8:22–25 NKJV

Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out. But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”

Now the “Sea of Galilee” is not an ocean, but a lake. At the time it was about 8 miles by 13 miles. Today it is slightly smaller because of the dam and water usage. It is some 700 feet below sea level, yet surrounded by mountains. This means that it is possible to see the other side from any point on the lake. Therefore the region around it is quite warm, yet cold air can come down from the Golan Heights to the Northeast. The temperature and pressure difference can cause sudden windstorms to rise up with little warning. Even today small fishing boats do not go out when severe winds are forecasted. In March, 1992 Gale-force winds of up to 60 mph whipped up 6 ft waves that swept into lakeside restaurants and cafes and flooded the scenic road along the shore. Mulla Amsalem, a restaurant owner in Tiberias stated that the crashing waves carried fish right to his front door - no shopping required!

We sometimes think of the

Not only was the storm intense, but the boat they used would have been heavily loaded. In 1986 Fishermen and amatur archaeologists Moshe and Yuval Lufan discovered the remains of a Galilean Fishing boat. Jesus probably didn't use this particular boat, but it has been dated by various means to about the first century BC to first century AD. It is of the construction typical from 100 BC to 200 AD. Drought that year had reduced the water-level of the lake, exposing the remains of a half-buried boat. The brothers reported their discovery to the authorities, who sent a team to investigate. The team realized the tremendous significance of the find, so they included the Israel Antiquities Authority, as well as a local Kibbutz and other volunteers. The dig had to be guarded night and day from potential looters. It took 12 days to excavate the boat and transport it to where it now resides at the Yigal Allon Galilee Boat Museum. They submerged the boat in a wax bath for 12 years before it was stable enough to be shown.

The boat was approximately 26.5 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and it has a preserved height of 4.3 feet. This made it about the same length as a UPS truck. It would have held about 15 people maximum. It has a flat bottom which allowed it to get close to shore, but it is made of ten different types of wood. It was rowable, with four rowers, as well as a mast to allow them to sail the boat. When it was beyond repair, the owners removed all useful parts and let it sink to the bottom of the lake, where it was covered with mud that preserved it. At least 13 people would have been in the boat Jesus used, so it was fairly close to the maximum capacity, which of course made surviving an intense storm more difficult.

Now many of the disciples were professional fishermen. Not only that, but they had spent their entire lives on this lake. If they were afraid, it was because they had something to be afraid of. Because of the wind and the heavily laden boat, it had begun to fill with water, and they couldn’t keep up bailing. Where was Jesus through the fierce winds and crashing waves? He was so exhausted from his ministry that he was fast asleep. Let us not forget that Jesus was completely human. He wasn’t a superhero who cruised above the difficulties of ordinary existence. Jesus had probably spent the day teaching - if you have taught you know that it is exhausting, even if you enjoy it. But because he was asleep he couldn’t take control of the situation, so that left the disciples to figure out for themselves. Perhaps they thought they could handle it - after all, they were professionals.

Let’s give the disciples some credit - when they had a problem they couldn’t handle, they did ask Jesus for help. I’m not sure what they thought they he was going to do about it - more on that later. Jesus rose and commanded the wind and the waves. He spoke with a commanding voice, but with the simple directness of someone who is supremely confident in his authority. The miracle itself is just that short.

I imagine the disciples must have wondered what he thought this would accomplish. After all, Jesus is a man, as they are. In the Old Testament only God can calm the Sea

Psalm 89:9 NKJV

You rule the raging of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them.

Nothing like this had ever been done before. Moses stopped the plague of Hail on God’s command, but he had also sent it (). Samuel called down a storm during the dry season to prove that asking for a King was the wrong move (). Elijah caused a drought then called down rain, but he had to pray fervently seven times to do it. Jonah did actually calm a storm, and like Jesus he had fallen asleep on the boat. But the similarity ends there. Jonah didn’t know there was a fish waiting for him - he would rather die than do what God said. So he calmed the storm by having the men throw him overboard - I’m not sure that’s the best way to calm a storm. But no one had ever stood up during a storm they didn’t cause and just order it to stop. Nor did they expect the Messiah to be able to calm storms. Any hint in the Old Testament about the Messiah’s power over nature is so subtle they probably missed it. For example

Psalm 89:25 NKJV

Also I will set his hand over the sea, And his right hand over the rivers.

They probably understood this passage to mean that the Messiah would rule from the Mediterranean sea to the Red Sea, and from the Euphrates to the River of Egypt. So although they believed Jesus was the Messiah, his confident authority over the mighty storm completely blew their minds. They said

Luke 8:25 NKJV

But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”

In other words

They had just witness a man - someone just as human as they were - stand up and simply order the raging storm to stop, and it did. They were now afraid, but not the kind of fear that makes you want to hide in the closet. The kind that leaves you awestruck. Yet they had seen Jesus work nature miracles before.

Turn to Luke 5:8

Back in chapter 5 Jesus provides a miraculous catch of fish. Peter knew what was normal - he was a professional, after all - and he knew that wasn’t normal. That is why he was so overcome with emotion that he

Luke 5:8 NKJV

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”

See, they were still figuring out who Jesus was. They truly followed him, but they didn’t understand fully that he was God in the flesh. They assumed that his authority had definite limits, as had been true for the Old Testament Prophets. Just because Elijah could stop the rain then start it again does not mean that he could command the rain any time he wanted. Jonah’s stunt would only have worked that one time. They hadn’t figured out that Jesus was God, so his authority had no limits. He alone could command the weather at any time. He alone could speak with the same unilateral authority that God spoke the universe into existence. So we are already partway to understanding Jesus’ mild rebuke

See, they were still figuring out who Jesus was. They truly followed him, but they didn’t understand fully that he was God in the flesh. They assumed that his authority had definite limits, as had been true for the Old Testament Prophets.

Now, its not like the disciples had no faith at all. After all, they did remember to ask Jesus for help. And perhaps they were asking for more help than just another hand to bail water. They addressed Jesus with the word “Master,” a word that occurs some seven times, all of them in the gospel of Luke and spoken by some follower of Jesus. It is a synonym of “teacher.” Asking God for help is part of the very definition of faith

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Hebrews 1:6 ESV

And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

No one asks God for help unless they believe that he exists and that he can help them. Yet Jesus is clearly disappointed at their lack of faith. While they do believe that Jesus can do something, they do not believe that he can calm the storm. That is why they are so desperate. They have forgotten that he had been the one to send them into the storm (v.22). They know he is a prophet, and that God has given him a critical mission to accomplish. If he dies here, God’s mission would end right here - a thing that is impossible. Even more than this, they have no concept of a dying Messiah. When Jesus tries to tell them about his upcoming death and resurrection, it is so alien to their thinking that they don’t even understand what he is talking about. So if they don’t think the Messiah can die, why do they think God plans to kill him here in the middle of Lake Galilee? Simply put, they aren’t thinking logically - they are reacting to life. They are operating on a purely human level, seeing the threat and assuming that their survival depends on their own resources. The biggest test of faith is often not reason, but life. Intense and difficult situations show us how much we operate on a human level instead of trusting that God is in control.

The basic realization that God is in control would have given them a measure of peace. Jonah and the pagan sailors knew this much - the captain is quite specific about what he thinks Jonah can do - he wants Jonah to pray to his god because he hopes that some god or other will hear them and rescue them from this storm. Jonah knows the storm is his fault, and realizes that removing himself from the situation would end the storm. The sailors too know that God is in control, for when they are unable to row back to shore, they frantically beg God not to punish them for causing Jonah’s death. But the disciples show none of this, despite having far more knowledge of God than the pagan sailors, and being much more faithful than the disobedient prophet. Sometimes life shows us how much we still need to trust God. We truly know God, and we strive to follow him. But when trials come we seem to forget what we know very well. God is in control. We usually do not know why God has sent the trial, but we can know that God is in control.

He had been the one to send them into the storm (v.22). Had Jesus only wanted to save their lives, he could have simply had them wait to leave until the storm passed. He sent them into the storm to teach them something about himself.

Perhaps that is why Jesus sent them into the storm - to teach them something about God.

Sometimes God sends us storms - trials - into our lives. Why does he send us into the storm? because he intends to teach us something.

James 1:13 ESV

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

James 1:2–4 NKJV

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Yet patience can be produced when strong faith endures trials. The faith that Jesus expected them to have was lacking - they do expect Jesus to be able to do something, but they operate on a purely human level as if God would let a freak storm kill off the Messiah for no reason. More than that, they fail to fully recognize Jesus’ own power.

Jesus demands his followers place unlimited confidence in his own person. Back in chapter 7, Jesus commends a Centurion for his remarkable faith in Jesus’ authority. Unlike the disciples, the Centurion did not have the benefit of seeing many of Jesus’ miracles, and hearing Jesus’ teaching. What was remarkable about the Centurion’s faith was not so much that he asked Jesus to heal his servant. Many people did that without demonstrating remarkable faith. The remarkable thing was that the Centurion understood the nature of authority, and reasoned that Jesus’ authority over sickness was similar to his own authority over his soldiers. The Centurion didn’t have to be physically present to ensure his soldiers or servants did what he ordered. He could simply command and it would be done. So he reasoned that Jesus did not need to be physically present to heal either. If he had authority to heal, then he could simply speak and it would be done. The Centurion did this without the benefit of a complete understanding of Jesus’ identity.

Because the disciples have so much more knowledge then the Centurion, Jesus expects them to be able to reason similarly. If Jesus has authority over nature (ch 5), and if he truly is Lord as they say (6:46), then he should be able to do something supernatural to rescue them from this situation. They saw Jesus claim authority to forgive sins, and back it up by healing the paralytic (). They saw Jesus claim authority to interpret the Sabbath, the most sacred day in Judaism (). They saw Jesus even have authority over death itself (). So they should have figured out that Jesus has authority even in the storm. But they have not connected what they believe about Jesus with this particular situation, so they are dumbfounded at his power. It is this inconsistency that disappoints Jesus. Had they been operating with Biblical logic instead of merely reacting on a human level, they still would have woken Jesus to ask him for help. But instead of frantically screaming in fear - Master we are perishing!! they would have calmly said - Master, help us. We need your power.

After Jesus calms the storm, they land in the region of Gerasa.

Luke 8:26 NIV

They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee.

If you have an NIV, NKJV, or ESV open you will see a note in the margin that says something like this: “Some manuscripts, Gergesa, Gadara, Gerasa.”These are three different places, and there is question about which place Luke intended to write. Gerasa was a prosperous Roman city, so was better known to outsiders. But that confused the early copyists, especially those who knew Palestine, because it is 30 miles from the Lake. Gedara was known to include a region that touched the lake, but it didn't have a steep place that ran directly into the sea. Origen suggested Gergesa, because it borders the Lake, sounds similar, and has a steep place. But Luke didn't say “Gerasa” but “the region of Gerasa.” I think Luke was naming the closest city his gentile readers would have recognized. I do a similar thing when telling people where I am from. If I am out of state, I tell people I am from “the twin cities” or Minneapolis/st.paul. But Minneapolis/st.Paul is the urban center. I am actually from a western suburb of the city called Plymouth. If I am in the twin cities, I don't tell people I am from Minneapolis: I tell them I am from plymouth because they will know where that is. Luke's readers wouldn't have known where either Gergesa or Gedara is, so naming those places wouldn't have been helpful. But they did know where Gerasa was, so he named that city so they would have a rough idea of where Jesus landed. Jesus often didn't land precisely at a city anyway, so he could have landed anywhere along the southeast side of the Lake and it would still be accurate to use any of those three places to describe where he was. Along this side there was a steep place required for the miracle. ( )

If you have an NIV, NKJV, or ESV open you will see a note in the margin that says something like this: “Some manuscripts, Gergesa, Gadara, Gerasa.”These are three different places, and there is question about which place Luke intended to write. Gerasa was a prosperous Roman city, so was better known to outsiders. But that confused the early copyists, especially those who knew Palestine, because it is 30 miles from the Lake. Gedara was known to include a region that touched the lake, but it didn't have a steep place that ran directly into the sea. Origen suggested Gergesa, because it borders the Lake, sounds similar, and has a steep place. But Luke didn't say “Gerasa” but “the region of Gerasa.” I think Luke was naming the closest city his gentile readers would have recognized. I do a similar thing when telling people where I am from. If I am out of state, I tell people I am from “the twin cities” or Minneapolis/st.paul. But Minneapolis/st.Paul is the urban center. I am actually from a western suburb of the city called Plymouth. If I am in the twin cities, I don't tell people I am from Minneapolis: I tell them I am from plymouth because they will know where that is. Luke's readers wouldn't have known where either Gergesa or Gedara is, so naming those places wouldn't have been helpful. But they did know where Gerasa was, so he named that city so they would have a rough idea of where Jesus landed. Jesus often didn't land precisely at a city anyway, so he could have landed anywhere along the southeast side of the Lake and it would still be accurate to use any of those three places to describe where he was.

We are told that there was a steep place that ran down into the lake right there. This is the traditional site of the miracle - The southeastern section of Lake Galilee would fit the description.

Luke 8:27–28 NKJV

And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!”

Luke 8:27 NKJV

And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs.

When Jesus landed he was met by what is possibly the worst case of demon possession in the Bible. Usually when Jesus encountered a demon he would rebuke the demon and forbid it from speaking, but here he carries on a brief conversation with them. When asked for his name, the demons say that their name is “legion.” Now an official Roman Legion was about 6,000 men. But Mark’s account tells us that there were about 2000 pigs feeding on the hillside. At any rate, the demons don’t mean to give Jesus a specific number - they only claim that they are “many.” One is too many, so it doesn’t really matter how many demons are inside him. Demons are spirit beings, so they do not have bodies and are not bound by physical matter. Though like us they are limited to a specific location. This is why so many demons can dwell inside the poor guy.

Luke 8:29–30 NKJV

For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him.

When Jesus landed he was met by what is possibly the worst case of demon possession in the Bible. Usually when Jesus encountered a demon he would rebuke the demon and forbid it from speaking, but here he carries on a brief conversation with them. When asked for his name, the demons say that their name is “legion.” Now an official Roman Legion was about 6,000 men. But Mark’s account tells us that there were about 2000 pigs feeding on the hillside. At any rate, the demons don’t mean to give Jesus a specific number - they only claim that they are “many.” One is too many, so it doesn’t really matter how many demons are inside him. Demons are spirit beings, so they do not have bodies and are not bound by physical matter. Though like us they are limited to a specific location. This is why so many demons can dwell inside the poor guy.

It is more than the number that made this such a bad case. The poor guy was driven completely insane and was not in control of his own actions. The demons drove him away from people, and humiliated him by removing his clothes. He was such a danger to the people of the city that they tried to lock him up. But the demons also gave him superhuman strength so that he broke every chain they put on him.

Now the demons obviously hate Jesus, so why do they move the man to go to him? Notice that the demons know exactly who Jesus is without him having to say. They say

Luke 8:28 NKJV

When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!”

Demons are not the most trustworthy of witnesses, but this is exactly right. Jesus really is the Son of the Most High God. Even Jesus’ own disciples do not fully realize who he is, but the demons know. But knowing the truth is not the same as having faith. They know who he is, and it terrifies them.

James 2:19 NKJV

You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!

They know that there is no escape from God. They also know that they will certainly go to hell. There is no salvation for demons (). So the only logical thing to do is to beg. But what are they afraid of? Sure

1 John 3:8 NKJV

He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 3:9 ESV

No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.

But Jesus isn’t planning to destroy them on the spot. He must die for the sins of the world before he judges the angels. So the demons have nothing to fear at the moment. But I don’t think they know that. They do not know everything. At this point in history, God has not yet revealed his plan for the church and the Millennium. So for all they know, this is the end of time, right here, right now. After all, they know that the King is here. That is why they think Jesus might send them to a place of torment - hell. ( )

Luke 8:31–32 NKJV

And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them.

Yet even though they are terrified that Jesus might send them to hell, they still hate him. They beg to be allowed to go into the pigs. And when they do, they immediately kill the pigs by having them run into the Lake. So they clearly didn’t just want to inhabit pigs. The reason they wanted the pigs was because they understood human nature.

Luke 8:33–34 NKJV

Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned. When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country.

Imagine being one of the poor pigherds. It’s a big herd, so they aren’t the owner. Going to work, dirty job, somebody’s got to do it. A normal day until the crazy guy from the hills shows up again. They don’t care about him, he’s just the crazy guy from the hills. Then a stranger gets out of a boat - they stay well away because they don’t want to go near the crazy guy. So they don’t hear what Jesus says, but before they know it, the herd goes nuts. They have to scramble out of the way to avoid being trampled. The herd drowns so there’s nothing to do now. What would you do. Exactly. They go into town and tell everyone about the weird day. ( )

Imagine being one of the poor pigherds. It’s a big herd, so they aren’t the owner. Going to work, dirty job, somebody’s got to do it. A normal day until the crazy guy from the hills shows up again. They don’t care about him, he’s just the crazy guy from the hills. Then a stranger gets out of a boat - they stay well away because they don’t want to go near the crazy guy. So they don’t hear what Jesus says, but before they know it, the herd goes nuts. They have to scramble out of the way to avoid being trampled. The herd drowns so there’s nothing to do now. What would you do. Exactly. They go into town and tell everyone about the weird day.

Luke 8:35–36 NKJV

Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed.

Luke 8:37–39 ESV

Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

The people come out and ask Jesus to leave. I don’t think they were angry about the pigs. It wasn’t their money either. If they were angry, they would have started a riot just like Demetrius the Silversmith did in Ephesus to Paul (). Rather, they are afraid. Afraid of what? They aren’t afraid of the demons - they’re gone now. This is isn’t fear of harm like the disciples in the storm. They believe Jesus is powerful, since they have the evidence right in front of them. But they aren’t sure he is good, since about all they know is that he caused the destruction of the herd of pigs - though that was the demons, not him. So they are afraid of what else Jesus might do. That’s why they ask him to leave - they know he is powerful, but they aren’t sure he is good.

The people come out and ask Jesus to leave. I don’t think they were angry about the pigs. It wasn’t their money either. If they were angry, they would have started a riot just like Demetrius the Silversmith did in Ephesus to Paul (). Rather, they are afraid. Afraid of what?

The people come out and ask Jesus to leave. I don’t think they were angry about the pigs. It wasn’t their money either. If they were angry, they would have started a riot just like Demetrius the Silversmith did in Ephesus to Paul (). Rather, they are afraid. Afraid of what? They aren’t afraid of the demons - they’re gone now. This is isn’t fear of harm like the disciples in the storm. They believe Jesus is powerful, since they have the evidence right in front of them. But they aren’t sure he is good, since about all they know is that he caused the destruction of the herd of pigs - though that was the demons, not him. So they are afraid of what else Jesus might do. That’s why they ask him to leave - they know he is powerful, but they aren’t sure he is good.

They aren’t afraid of the demons - they’re gone now. This is isn’t fear of harm like the disciples in the storm. They believe Jesus is powerful, since they have the evidence right in front of them. But they aren’t sure he is good, since about all they know is that he caused the destruction of the herd of pigs - though that was the demons, not him. So they are afraid of what else Jesus might do. That’s why they ask him to leave - they know he is powerful, but they aren’t sure he is good.

So faith can free from fear - not that it removes the source, but the right faith grants confidence that overcomes it. The disciples in the storm failed to connect their faith in God and their knowledge of Jesus with the trial Jesus had sent them through - that is why Jesus was disappointed in their lack of faith. Had they realized what God’s control and Jesus’ authority implied, they would not have panicked as badly as they did, nor would they have been so shocked at Jesus’ unexpected display of divine power. The demons have no problem with knowledge - they know exactly who Jesus is. Neither do they have any trouble connecting that knowledge with life - Jesus terrifies them. But that knowledge is not faith, because they hate Jesus and work against him. So the demons find their advanced knowledge of God to produce fear instead of eliminate it. The townspeople know that Jesus is powerful, but their failure to recognize his goodness is what prevents their confidence in his power from freeing them from fear. An unreserved trust in Jesus’ power and goodness will not remove trials - God will still send them our way to help us grow - but it will give us the confidence to face those trials without panicking.

Faith that Frees from Fear

Jesus calms the storm

Why were they afraid?

How did Jesus calm the Storm?

Who is this Guy?!?

Where is your faith?

Jesus Casts out a Legion of Demons

why does their knowledge terrify them instead of comforting?

Why are the people afraid?