Luke 8 - The Day Jesus Spoke to the Wind and the Waves!

Click Here to Read or LIsten to Luke 8

The Parable of the Sower

This is one of Jesus' most famous parables. Since a lot of people were farmers, it was a parable a lot of people could understand. Today Jesus might use a parable talking about business or Internet Technology. Jesus was going from town to town preaching the Good News about the kingdom of God. As we have mentioned this included acts of healing and deliverance from evil spirits/demons. 

In addition to the twelve disciples, Luke mentions three women who were had given up everything to follow Jesus. They were also supporting Jesus' ministry financially. Joanna was a financial steward to Herod's household, which was an unusual position for a woman. Indeed one of the radical aspects of Jesus' ministry was his inclusion of women. Jesus was not doing this to be politically correct, but because the Holy Spirit had called these women and gifted them to help Jesus bring in the Kingdom of God. 

As a large crowd gathered, Jesus told them this parable. A farmer went out to sow seed liberally. The word "sow" comes from the word "broadcast", which means to cover as wide a swath of ground as possible. As the farmer broadcast the seed its destiny was connected to the type of soil it found itself in. Luke mentions four types of soil condition. 

First the soil that turned into a hardened path. This s path was hard as a result of being trampled so often that the seed did not even have a chance to take root. The birds came and easily ate it up. In the next scenario, the seeds were sown on rocky ground. Initially the prospects looked okay, but because there was no moisture, the plant withered away. The third scenario is that once again the seed is sown and initially there is some growth. But in the end, because it was planted in thorny ground, the thorns choked out any chance of fruition.

Finally, the seed fell on good soil. Not only did it take root, not only did it bear fruit, but it yielded a huge crop, some one hundred times over. The disciples did not understand the meaning of the parable so Jesus explained it to them. Most importantly he equates the seed with the Word of God. Later, in John's gospel Jesus is the Word which became flesh. So the Word is specifically revealed in Jesus Christ. 

The “word of God” is obviously to be taken in its widest sense, as including every form by which a revelation from God is conveyed to the mind of man. (Ellicot) 

Jesus likened the word of God (we could say both spoken and written) to be like seed. A seed has enormous power in itself for the generation of life and usefulness, if it is received (planted) in the right conditions. - Guzik

Jesus then explains to the disciples the meaning of the parable. The seed on the hardened path is those who hear God's Word, but it never takes root because the devil snatches it away. The rocky ground is the one who hears God's word with joy, but when trials and hardship come with being a Christian, they fall away because they have no root. The thorny ground represents the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of wealth, which choke out any potential growth of the seed. 

The seed on the good soil stands for those who have a noble and good heart. It is interesting that the word "good" is the same Greek word for both the soil and the man's heart condition. The word means inherently good, which comes from God. The Jews who became Christians were "God-fearers". Though this would not save them, it made them predisposed to hear and accept the word of God.

But the key to the seed which produced fruit was those ... 

"Who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."

Not only do they hear the word, but they keep it in their heart so it gives them the power to overcome the trials they face. I think to "retain it" could also mean to "apply it". If we hear the Word but don't do anything about it, we will never bear spiritual fruit. 

"We notice that the difference in each category was with the soil itself. The sower cast the same seed. You could not blame the differences in results on the sower or on the seed, but only on the soil. “O my dear hearers, you undergo a test today! Peradventure you will be judging the preacher, but a greater than the preacher will be judging you, for the Word itself shall judge you.” (Spurgeon) 

Even more than describing the mixed progress of the gospel message, the parable of the sower compels the listener to ask, “What kind of soil am I? How can I prepare my heart and mind to be the right kind of soil?” This parable invites action so that we will receive the word of God to full benefit. (Guzik)

A Lamp on a Stand

In a follow up to this, parable the obvious transition is that the one who bears fruit will give light to the world. By our fruits the world will know we are Jesus' followers. The fruits of love, joy, peace ... The bottom line is that we can't hide being a true Christian. And if we are living the Christian life it will be obvious to all. Though we can try to fool some people, or ourselves, into thinking we are a Christian, a day will come when our true heart condition will be revealed!

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

Jesus' mother and brothers tried to get near him, as Jesus was surrounded by the crowds. When someone mentioned this Jesus redefined the word family when he said, 

“My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”

I don't think Jesus was devaluing our families of origin but referring to the new family we become a part of when we are born again. After all, we are born again as "sons and daughters of God". This makes us brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Note also this text reveals to us that Jesus had other brothers, who were Mary's sons. 

Jesus plainly had many brothers and sisters. The Roman Catholic idea of the perpetual virginity of Mary contradicts the plain meaning of the Bible.

Jesus Calms the Storm

Jesus had power and authority over sickness, disease, and evil spirit, and he also had power over nature. Jesus was asleep when a big storm hit bringing water into their boat. The disciples woke him up worrying they were going to drown. Jesus rebuked the wind and the waves and they became calm. Jesus spoke with authority to the wind and the waves, and they listened to him. 

Jesus asked the disciples, "Where is your faith?" In their defense, I am pretty sure I would have had the same response as the disciples. 

Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man

Jesus once again exercised his authority over demons. He met a man who had been demon possessed for a long time. We don't know how this happened but the demon had taken quite a hold of him. As has happened before, we see the demon recognized Jesus' true identity when he said,

“What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!”

Jesus has a conversation with the demon, who reveals his name is "legion", which actually reveals there were many demons inhabiting the man. The demon speaking might have been the "host demon". In an unusual twist, the demons ask Jesus to send them into pigs and then into the lake. They knew that one day their eternal destiny would be sealed, but they asked Jesus to delay that for a while. 

Jesus gave them permission, and they entered the pigs and they rushed down the hill into the lake.  Instead of the people rejoicing in this spiritual healing of this man, they begged Jesus to leave town. 

This seems very odd. Why did they wanted Jesus to leave after he delivered the man?

They didn’t seem to mind having this demon-possessed, tormented man in their midst, but they did mind having Jesus around – so they asked Him to leave – and He did! When people are more afraid of what Jesus will do in their lives than what Satan does at the moment, they often push Jesus away – and He may leave when asked to. - Guzik

Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman

Luke records two more of Jesus' miracles. First, a synagogue ruler named Jairus fell at Jesus' feet to let him know his daughter, who was 12 years old, was dying. He pleaded with Jesus to save her. It is interesting that this Jewish leader came to Jesus as his only hope of saving his daughter. He was in a different position than most of the Jewish leaders who were just trying to discredit Jesus. 

Meanwhile as he is going on his way a woman, who had been bleeding for 12 years, came up behind him and touched his clothing. Immediately, she was healed. Once again we see Jesus' employed many methods for healing people. In this story he healed somebody without actually doing anything. The healing power flowed out of him through his clothing. 

When the woman kneeled before Jesus worried that she had offended him, Jesus said, 

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

When Jesus finally reached the home of the synagogue ruler, the people were mourning her death and told Jairus not to bother Jesus. But Jesus assured Jairus his daughter would be okay. Jesus took Peter, James, and John, his inner circle, into the ruler's home. Jesus went into her room and took the daughter by the hand and said, "My child get up!"

Then it says, "Her spirit returned to her." 

When the parents came in Jesus told them not to tell anyone. This is one of three instances Jesus brought someone back to life. 

So in this chapter you see Jesus' authority over sickness, disease, the wind and the waves, demons, and even death!