Luke 8:22- 56   Jesus taught about letting a light shine and not hiding it.. He said to take care how we listen to the Word and to not only hear it but to do it.. He said that nothing would be hidden or secret but it would all 'be known and come to light."  And again I am reminded of John's words, "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men" (John 1:4)  His light, John wrote, shines in the darkness and the darkness could not overcome it... can't even comprehend it. 

In the rest of Luke chapter 8 we see Jesus shine in 4 distinct situations.. ( looking at 2 today and 2 tomorrow)  He exhibits His authority, revealing Who He is in ways that no one else could ever do:

Verses22-25  Jesus and His disciples get into a boat and head to the "other side of the lake".  As they head out Jesus goes to sleep, a terrible storm descended, and the boat began to be dangerously taking on water.  None of this disturbs Jesus, but the disciples panic and wake Him up.  "And being aroused, He rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped and it became calm."  Jesus reveals Himself as the Lord of all creation.. "even the winds and the water" obey Him.   His life.. is the Light of men.. Let the Light of Jesus shine in us today.. He is Lord of the snow and the cold wind, the ice and the sun that is shining this morning!  He has revealed His authority over all of nature.. may we have faith  that He can also calm our storms today. 

Verses 26-39  Jesus and His disciples sailed to the opposite side of Galilee and landed in the country of the Gerasenes. Jesus does one miracle in this place.. He delivers a man from a "Legion" of demons.  This man was helpless, hopeless, and really, really scary.  But, Jesus seems to have come across the stormy sea just for him.  The demons plead with Jesus to send them into the pigs and He does. The man is completely restored in his mind and body. We see the Light of the world overcoming this great darkness, revealing His authority over  evil and over the evil one.  We live in a world that seems pretty dark some days.. too much crime, too many arguments, too much chaos.  But, we have a Savior that shines in the darkness and His light cannot be overcome! May we allow His Light to fill our hearts with joy that He reigns! We can trust Him to break through even the worst that the demons try to do. 

Father,  You have given to us Your Beloved Son who is our Light and we want to grasp hold of the truth that You are revealing about Him through Your Word.  Let us have ears to hear and to live according to these Words.  You have given Jesus authority over heaven and earth and we can trust Him fully.  Thank You Lord. Amen.