“Who is this Jesus?” In spite of all that Jesus has said and done, it appears the disciples still don’t understand. He casts out an evil spirit after the disciples could not — and all were astonished at the majesty of God at work in Jesus. While they were all marveling at everything He was doing, it is clear the disciples, impressed by the miracles and wonders in their midst, do not yet grasp what Jesus is really all about. He says, “Let these words sink into your ears”…

If you haven’t noticed so far in the Gospel of Luke, it becomes clear in these verses that the ongoing question is, “Who is this Jesus?” In the last verse of our reading yesterday, Peter confesses for the first time, “You are the Christ of God.” We know that Peter wavers, however, as time goes on, denying Jesus three times.

Many events in Scripture “prefigure” what comes later. When we see the later happening, we understand it in light of what came before. This is true with regard to the miracle of the feeding of the 5000.

What does it look like to have total reliance upon God? Jesus sends His disciples out in this passage, giving them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, proclaiming the kingdom of God and healing. As they go, they are to totally and completely rely on God to provide.

The focus of these two healings could be “faith” — and of course, faith in Jesus. The first healing, as Jesus is along the way to Jairus’ daughter is of the woman who had a discharge of blood for 12 years. Jesus heals her, but the Lord points out that the healing was received by faith. She, too, is described as a “daughter,” as Jesus bids her “go in peace.”

Today’s reading is a powerful and moving account of an exorcism by Jesus. There are many significant details to note. Because there was a herd of pigs, and pigs were considered unclean by Jews, this was surely a Gentile community.

There are times when it seems Jesus is a bit insensitive to his family. At the wedding at Cana in Galilee, when His mother, Mary, asks Him to help with the wine shortage, He responds, “Woman, what has this to do with me?” In our account above, the Lord seems to dismiss His mother and His brothers, asserting that only those who hear the word of God and do it are His mother and His brothers.

Although I grew up spending lots of time on my grandparents’ farm outside Mt. Auburn, Indiana, I would never presume to be a farmer. The only time my Grandpa Barker let my brother and I drive his tractors, was when he needed help spreading rich, healthy manure on the fields.