Jesus explains the purpose of His ministry through parables and miracles. May our great God continue to reveal His salvation to our generation. Be blessed in your reading and praying as you seek after Him.
Luke 8: Women Accompanying Jesus
1 Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him,
2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.
The Parable of the Sower
4 And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable:
5 "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it.
6 And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.
7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it.
8 And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold." As he said these things, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
The Purpose of the Parables
9 And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant,
10 he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that 'seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.'
11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
12 The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
13 And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.
14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.
15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.
A Lamp Under a Jar
16 "No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.
17 For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.
18 Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away."
Jesus' Mother and Brothers
19 Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd.
20 And he was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you."
21 But he answered them, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it."
Jesus Calms a Storm
22 One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side of the lake." So they set out,
23 and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger.
24 And they went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm.
25 He said to them, "Where is your faith?" And they were afraid, and they marvelled, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?"
Jesus Heals a Man with a Demon
26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.
27 When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs.
28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me."
29 For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.)
30 Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion," for many demons had entered him.
31 And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss.
32 Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them permission.
33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
34 When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country.
35 Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.
36 And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed.
37 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.
38 The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying,
39 "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.
Jesus Heals a Woman and Jairus's Daughter
40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him.
41 And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus' feet, he implored him to come to his house,
42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As Jesus went, the people pressed around him.
43 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone.
44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased.
45 And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?" When all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!"
46 But Jesus said, "Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me."
47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed.
48 And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace."
49 While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler's house came and said, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher anymore."
50 But Jesus on hearing this answered him, "Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well."
51 And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child.
52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, "Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping."
53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.
54 But taking her by the hand he called, saying, "Child, arise."
55 And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat.
56 And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.
Things to think about…
1. Luke 8 is a bold light on the change of traditional religious Judiaism to how true faith is to be shown in Christ – especially towards women. In Luke 8:1-3 Luke says Jesus’ ministry was supported by a number of women who were healed of demons and infirmities. One of these is Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager. This married woman follows Jesus from the north in Galilee to Jerusalem. This was scandalous. She provided for Him from her means, as did the other women like Mary Magdalene (of Magdala) and Suzanna. No doubt this is why we have so much information from what went on in Herod’s court, a truly evil man. Yet this woman leaves all, at a great risk to her life and position to follow Jesus. Luke says Mary Magdalene had seven demons cast out of her. Some have said she was a prostitute. While this may have been the case, the NT is silent on this and therefore it is merely conjecture. May we have more scandalous women like this serving their Lord today.
2. Jesus in Luke 8:9-15 explaining why He uses parables says that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand’. It seems like Jesus is trying to hide the gospel from some and reveal it to others. Yet in vss 18-20 He asks that the light of the gospel not be hidden. Is this the case? The reality is that not everyone has been given the grace to have ears to hear. Some want emotion as opposed to truth. People are no different today. We are called to be wise enough to discern the difference. As Jesus says to the seven churches of Revelation, “He who has an ear, let him hear”, Rev 2,3. Jesus says that we are to hold the Word as those who are planted in good soil “with an honest good heart, and bear fruit with patience”, vs 15. Fruit borne through patience is the sweetest fruit to bare.
3. Lighting a lamp in Luke 8:16-18 for Christ has some revealing consequences. When we share the light of Christ after having ears to hear, Jesus says our faithfulness has the outcome “to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away”, vs 18. This is worthy meditate on as to whether it is the case for us and those around us whom we love.
4. In Luke 8:19-21 Jesus seems to be shunning his mother and His brothers. This seems to be very disrespectful to His family. Spiritual family are very important, but did Jesus have to be so direct with His family? Why do you think He was so direct? The immediate family of Jesus would have suffered some social discomfort because of the ministry of Jesus. They were probably asking Him to consider their situation. Jesus however puts the kingdom of God before His own earthly family’s desires. It requires real discernment and perseverance to do the same. Emotional and familial ties have a place, but they should never replace truth or be used as an idol to justify rebellion against Christ. Christ makes you a Christian, not being related to Him or someone who knows Him.
5. Luke’s description of Jesus calming the storm in Luke 8:22-25 is brief but confirms the account found in the other gospels.It says Jesus fell asleep. No doubt he was exhausted. So exhausted that He didn’t wake when the storm was upon them. Seasoned fisherman were crying out for their lives, vs 24 and then He calms the wind and waves. They marvelled at Jesus’ power to stop the storm. Jesus however marvels at their lack of faith by saying “Where is your faith”?, vs 25. May our trust in Christ be our default setting rather than the surrounding noise going on around us. Jesus is in control – even of the noise. So rest in Him.
6. The parables we are told reveal God to some and hide Him from others. Some of Jesus’ hearers at various points are told not to share what they have seen and heard from Him. Yet in the demon possessed man’s case in Luke 8:26-39 at the end of it the man wants to follow Christ. But the Lord forbids him and in fact tells him to go back to his home and to ‘declare to others all that God has done for you’. Why is this man not allowed to follow as some were, but only allowed to witness God’s goodness to his countrymen? The reason is this man came from a gentile area (hence the pigs), called the Decapolis – the ten cities. He was to be a witness for Christ among the gentiles of the region. It seems he ended up being a very effective preacher, Luke 8:39.
7. In the story of Jairus’ daughter and the woman with the flow of blood, Luke 8:40-56, we see two situations. One, a daughter 12 years of age who has been the delight of her father, the other an older woman who has been suffering from a flow of blood for 12 years. A situation that would have made her perpetually unclean and unable to worship openly and corporately with other believers. In desperation she reaches out to the Saviour and is healed. Why does Jesus ask ‘Who touched me”? Surely He knew who touched Him. Faith in Christ must be on open display. He encourages her to come out boldly with her faith. No longer does she need to hide. Our identity in Christ brings full healing which we should boldly proclaim. While this is happening, Jairus is told to ‘believe’ and his daughter would be made well. Jesus does heal the girl, who had clearly died. Jesus restores the joy to this home that was clearly in the depths of sorrow. He restores us from death to life at the touch of His Holy Spirit. It is interesting that the parents are told not to tell of their daughter’s miracles, yet the demon possessed man was encouraged to tell. Israel had a misconception about Jesus that healings alone did not clear up. They needed teaching and emotion was hindering the message.
Vision Point for cell groups – Cell groups on break over the school holidays
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Sunday’s sermon “Is running away an option” – reading 1 Samuel 27
1. David is on the run from Saul. David has been anointed as the next king. We know if God is for us who can be against us, Rom 8:31, yet here David is on the run. Is David trusting in God here? As a Christian have you ever done the same and been on the run from God? Discuss.
2. David spent almost a year and a half among the Philistines. Discuss this period of David’s life. What do you remember about this situation and his time in Ziklag? David was in danger of fighting with the Philistines against Israel. What stopped him?
3. How do Christians fight against Christ in our own day? What does Jesus want for us to achieve while we are on this earth? What gets in the way of this happening in our lives?
4. We are called to run in the race of faith, Heb 12:1,2. How do we know we are on the right track, in the right lane and running well?
5. Pray for each other and current events locally and around the world.
Prayer Points
1. Pray about your support to the floods in Qld and also to the Polish Baptist Church in Chelm efforts to support Ukrainian refugees. This is the church we will be supporting. You will need google chrome to translate https://baptysci-chelm.pl/kontakt .
2. Pray for the flood clean-up and all those affected a second and third time round.
3. Families that have just started attending CBC.
4. Ukraine to repel Russia and peace to come. Pray for Mariupol – about to fall to Russia.
5. Christ to be seen through us in our community.
6. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
7. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. CBC has raised over $2000 for Ukrainian refugees and $1000 in flood donations. I have been messaging Chelm Baptist Church and they are very appreciative of our support.
2. Most people inside Mariupol theatre in Ukraine are still trapped, many believed to have survived. It is believed hundreds of women and children were seeking refuge inside. But time is running out for them to be found alive.
3. The world is responding overwhelmingly to the war in Ukraine. It has united the west and others against Putin’s evil.
4. People visiting church on Sunday.
5. God’s word affecting people for Christ
6. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
7. Flood cleanup is restoring communities around Ipswich and Brisbane.
Announcements
1. Donation funds been set up to assist a Polish Baptist Church with Ukrainian refugees. Please label your donation – Ukraine appeal. The same will be the case for those who have gone through the floods in Qld. Label Flood appeal. This is the church we will be supporting. You will need google chrome to translate https://baptysci-chelm.pl/kontakt .
2. A new cell group has started at the church for residents around Karalee. Wed 7pm at church.
3. Kidz@Church every Sunday
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism question for March...
Q. 1. Did Christ remain in the grave after his crucifixion? A. No; he rose from the grave on the third day after his death.
Bible Reference – Luke. 24:45-47; 1Cor.15:3&4.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
