18: The Challenge of Faith Beyond Expectations (Luke 8:22 – 56)

In the calming of the storm, the casting out of the legion of evil spirits, and the raising of Jairus’s daughter, Jesus repeatedly challenged His disciples and the people to believe. In each situation, they faced the impossible—wild nature, powerful demons, and even death itself. No one expected Jesus to show such authority. Yet every time, He called them to trust Him, not as a mere man, but as the One who holds God’s power. Faith, then, is trusting beyond what we see or expect, and looking forward to God’s power at work in our lives.

👉 Read Luke 8:22 - 56

Q1. They were terrified when they met a storm on the lake. They woke Jesus up, and Jesus calmed the storm. What did Jesus say to them? 

ANS: Where is your faith?

They knew God sent Jesus. Thus, they were supposed to believe in God that God would protect Jesus.

They had faith to follow Jesus, but not yet faith to trust Him in crisis. Their problem was not that they had no faith, but that their faith was small and fearful. They believed in Jesus when the sea was calm, but not when the storm came. They trusted Him as Teacher, but not yet as Lord of the storm.

Q2. What did the demon ask to Jesus? (28, 31-32)

ANS:

Leave me alone, do not torment me.

Not to be thrown into the abyss, but to enter the herd of pigs.

Note: Always, the evil spirits know Jesus’ identity.

Q3. Why do you think the people in Gerasene wanted Jesus to leave?

ANS: They were afraid and unwilling to accept the loss that might come if Jesus stayed with them (such as their pigs). They valued their possessions more than His presence.

We must trust and follow the Lord even when following Him leads us into uncertainty or cost.

What challenges of faith lie ahead of you now?

Q4. Why do you think the people in Capernaum welcomed Jesus when He returned?

ANS: They likely wanted to see whether Jesus could heal Jairus’ daughter or perform more miracles. Their interest may have been curiosity about His mysterious power rather than true faith.

Coming to Jesus out of curiosity alone is not the same as trusting Him in faith.

Q5. What did Jesus say to the woman with the bleeding disease? What part of her act showed her faith?

ANS: “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

She believed that even without a direct promise, simply touching Jesus’ clothes would heal her. Because her condition made her ritually unclean and socially isolated, secretly touching Him was the only step she felt able to take.

Her action showed her deep trust in Jesus’ power and mercy.

Verse 48 shows that Jesus publicly affirmed her healing to restore her dignity and release her from social shame and prejudice.

Q6. What did Jesus say to Jairus after he heard about his daughter’s death? What was the limitation of Jairus’ faith?

ANS: Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

Jairus believed Jesus had the power to heal the sick, but he struggled to believe that Jesus could raise the dead. His faith was real, but limited.