The man in the region of the Gerasenes had been driven into the wilderness by demons. He wore no clothes, lived among the tombs, and broke the restraints used to contain him (Luke 8:26–39). People could guard him and bind him, but he kept breaking the chains and they could not deliver him. His condition had overtaken his life until the place of the dead became his dwelling because his community could no longer hold him. Then Jesus intervened. That same man, after encountering Jesus was found sitting at Jesus' feet, clothed and in his right mind.
Then there was the woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years, and whom no one had been able to heal (Luke 8:43–48). Twelve years is a long time to carry pain, endure disappointment, and keep hoping for relief. All he money was gone from pursuing healing. Yet when she approached Jesus and touched the border of His garment, that same bleeding condition stopped immediately. The length of her suffering had not exhausted His ability to help her. Longstanding trouble can make men weary, but its duration holds absolutely nothing on the power of Jesus..
Then there was the news delivered while Jesus is on His way to Jairus’s house: his daughter was dead. Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, had already fallen at Jesus’ feet and pleaded for his dying child. Now the messenger told him there was no reason to trouble the Teacher further (Luke 8:40–42, 49). That statement was the expression of the limits of human expectation: they thought, healing might have been possible before death, but surely the opportunity had passed. Jesus answered immediately: “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” He entered the house, took the child by the hand, and called her to arise. Her spirit returned, and she stood up. The news was devastating, but Jesus has authority even over death.
Notice what these accounts reveal together. The man’s torment had defied restraint. The woman’s illness had resisted treatment. The child’s death appeared to have ended every possibility. Jesus met each situation and sufficient authority was available to deal with them all. These were real acts of deliverance, healing, and a bringing back to life, revealing who He is and giving us reason to trust Him with our situations today. He has given us His own life. We should also hear His words to Jairus accurately:
“Only believe” calls us to place our confidence in Jesus and the ability He has given us in Christ, We do not pretend sufefring isn't real nor do we supress our pain but we refuse to let the physical signs be the last word on the matter. We bring the word of God to bear and change things as Jesus did and told us to do. Jairus’s daughter truly died. The woman had genuinely suffered. The man’s torment was severe. Faith brought those realities under the authority of the Lord and brought the desired changes. His own resurrection assures us that even death cannot finally defeat those who belong to Him.
Stop surrendering your heart to despair and fear, and hopelessness. Remember the man restored from the tombs, the woman healed after twelve years, and the child raised from death. Let their stories correct the assumption that your circumstances have somehow become greater than His power. That is a lie. No depth of suffering places you beyond His reach. No history makes you unworthy to call upon Him. Hear His word, believe it, declare it and hold firmly to it. It is true and it works over everthing.