Luke 9: 7-20   Herod..  The same man who had John the baptist beheaded at the request of his wife's daughter.. began to hear about what Jesus was doing.. "and he was greatly perplexed".  He was at a loss and wanted to know more about Jesus.  He seems to have sought out more information, but what he heard must have disturbed him.. was this John, risen from the dead? Was this Elijah or another prophet risen again?  None of these answers satisfied Herod.  He wanted to  see Jesus for himself.  This never happened until Jesus was arrested and tried by Pilate. 

Luke 23:8  "Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him."  But, Jesus refused to even talk to Herod. This angered him so much that he joined his soldiers in mistreating Jesus, mocking Him, and dressing Him up in a kingly robe.. and then sending Him back to Pilate. 

Luke switches the narrative in chapter 9 back to the return of the disciples from their mission.  Jesus takes the 12 back to Bethsaida. Though they sought a place to rest and regroup, the multitude followed them right into the wilderness area.  The disciples wanted Jesus to send the crowd away but Jesus had a different plan. He welcomed them, He spoke of the Kingdom to them, He healed them, and He prepared a table before them.. He took the 5 loaves and 2 fish and fed the 5000.  "And they all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full." 

Jesus asks His disciples a question... "Who do the multitudes say that I am?"  The disciples' answers are the same as those that Herod had heard.. John the baptist.. Elijah.. one of the prophets.. risen from the dead.  But, Jesus added another question.. "But who do you say that I am?"  Peter had the right answer.. "The Christ of God."  They had seen the Truth. Jesus was more than just a prophet. He had more power and authority than any man.. He had to be the Messiah, the Son of God. 

Father in heaven, when You reveal Jesus to us through the Word and the testimony of these disciples we can answer the same as Peter.. Jesus is the Christ of God.. He is the Anointed One, the Messiah, the King, Your only begotten Son. Thank You for opening our eyes and ears to know Him and through Jesus, to know You, our Father and our God.  Jesus told His disciples that You, Yourself love them and we take hold of this truth for ourselves.. You love us and sent Your Son so that we who believe in Him can have everlasting life. Praise the Lord, O my soul and all that is in me.. I praise You Lord! Amen. 

 Luke 9:1-6  Luke has presented the revealed authority of Jesus by shining light on 4 miracles - the calming of the winds and waves; the deliverance from a legion of demons; the healing of the woman who had suffered for 12 years of bleeding; and the restoration of the young girl from the dead. All authority has been given to Him who reigns eternally!   

Now, he writes that Jesus "called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to heal diseases." 

I never thought about this before, but notice that He did not give them authority over the creation.. wind or waves.. nor did He give them power to raise the dead.  What He did give them was a proclamation of the kingdom of God... the good news that God had come near.. that His power was present.. and His compassion was available to those who would receive it. 

The Lord gave His disciples instructions as He sent them out.. They were to preach. They were to heal. And they were to "take nothing for [their] journey.. "  The disciples were also told to stay in the house that received them and to go out of the city that did not, shaking the dust off their feet "as a testimony against them."  

Father in heaven, You see us even as You saw the disciples of Jesus.. You saw those who received them and those who did not.. You saw the dust that was on their feet and the dust that was shaken off as a testimony.  I am struck by this today. We, who follow Jesus, are sometimes received by those who want to know Jesus and we have the gospel message to share.  But, often times this wonderful truth of Your Kingdom is rejected and we are turned away.. and it is with sorrow that we leave behind those who will not choose the Life, the Truth, and the Way.  Father, our world, our community, and often our own families need Jesus. Send out workers into the harvest Lord God.. to proclaim Your Kingdom with power and authority... to proclaim Christ Jesus, the One who has been given all authority over heaven and earth. May all glory, honor, and praise be given to You in His name. Amen 

 Luke 8: 22-56 ( Part 2)   Jesus "turned a spotlight on".. so to speak.. shining His Light to reveal 4 important truths about Who He is:

Calming the wind and seas, Jesus revealed that He has all authority over creation... "even the winds and waves.. obey Him". 

Delivering "Legion" from the legion of demons in the man from Gerasenes revealed His authority over all evil and the evil one. 

In verses 40-48 Jesus revealed his authority over all diseases. Remember the story of the woman who had been hemorrhaging for 12 years.  She had tried doctors... she had tried everything.  When she saw Jesus, she came up behind Him with hope that if she just could touch the fringe of His robe she would be healed. Jesus knew the moment that she was healed.. He felt the healing power go out from Him and stopped to reveal this.. not only to the crowd, but to this dear woman. His words to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well".. not only assured her of the physical healing, but of a spiritual restoration.  Yes, the hemorrhaging stopped, but also she was made "whole"... safe, kept, restored, delivered, and protected.. by faith in the One who has all authority to do it!   Whether we suffer from physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual problems.. we have hope.  We know the One who has the power and the authority to keep us safe, to make us whole, to heal and to restore us.  May we reach out to touch Him in our times of need and find Him willing to reveal Himself to us with compassion and mercy.

In verses 49-56  we see one more way that Jesus reveals His authority... He rules over life and death. Jesus was on His way to the synagogue official's home when the news comes that his 12 year old daughter has already died.  Jesus tells the man to "not be afraid any longer; only believe and she shall be made well."  When they got to the house the mourners were already weeping and lamenting, but Jesus took the parents into the house, took the girls hand in His own and said 2 words, "Child arise!"  And she did. "..her spirit returned and she rose immediately; and He gave orders for something to be given her to eat."  

 In Colossians 1 Paul says,  Jesus "is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation, for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. "  He is the incomparable Christ!  All authority belongs to Him as He testified to His disciples "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." ( Matthew 28:18)  His life.. revealed this.. and it is the Light to all mankind. 

Father in heaven, open our eyes once again, to gaze on the Light of the world, to walk in His light every day. He is the ruler over nature, over evil, over sickness, and over death. His life overcame the world, His light overcame darkness, and His love overcomes hatred and fear; doubts and worries; unbelief and even rejection.  Thank You for our Savior and King, the incomparable Christ who has revealed Himself and has brought us to You, our God and our Father. All glory and power and honor to You forever. Amen 

 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.

 Luke 8:16-21  Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."   This next parable connects "hearing" to "doing".  If we have received the "light".. the true Word of God... we will not.. or better yet, we "cannot" hide it. "For nothing is hidden that shall not become evident, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light." 

Either we will receive the Word.. and bear fruit.. or we will not.. it will be snatched away, choked out, or cut off.  There will be evidence in our lives, one way or another. 

"Therefore take care how you hear.. "  Stop and chew on that for a bit.   When we read the Word, do we hurry through and check off the number of verses or chapters we did.. or do we listen carefully for what God, our Father is saying to us by His Holy Spirit? 

 I once read a book from an evangelist who wrote about hearing the voice of God in every part of the Bible.  We don't have to ignore the Old Testament or read a certain amount every day to make our quota.  If we just read through the Bible.. listening for the voice of the Lord.. He will speak.  That's why I call this blog "Listening to the Shepherd's voice".. and continue through the Word one book at a time.  No matter where I am reading.. the Lord reveals Himself!  Not that I am any great authority.. but, it is how He has led me by His grace. 

When Jesus hears that His mother and brothers have come to speak to Him.. He does not rush out to meet them.. there was another important point that He  wanted to emphasize .. " My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it." 

It is not enough to hear the Word.. but that is vital as Romans 10:17 reminds us.. "So faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of Christ."  If we don't hear the Word we cannot believe it.. and how can we hear it unless someone tells us.. someone who doesn't hide the Light under his bed... someone who has heard the Word and does it... someone who's life" bears fruit with perseverance."

Father in heaven,  the psalmist wrote, "In Thy light we see light." (36:9) You have given to us the Light of the world, Jesus Christ.  John wrote, "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men."  His life.. every word He spoke, every work He did, every act of compassion and kindness.. shines brightly, testifying of Your goodness and love for all people.  Your Light, Jesus, opened our blind eyes to see You.  You took us out of the domain of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of Your Son.. Hallelujah!   Thank You for the Word of God that brings faith.. and transforms us into Your children so that we can also be the "light of the world" as we do the things that the Word says.. bearing much fruit to the glory and honor of Your Name. Amen!

 Luke 8:4-15  Luke shares the parable of the sower ... that Jesus spoke to the multitudes that began to follow Him from city to city.  Can you picture Jesus and His disciples walking through the dirt roads.. passing many fields of grain.. perhaps stopping to watch as a farmer is sowing his seeds.. 

Some seeds fell on the hard path where they were walking.  The crowd walked right over those seeds, pressing them into the dirt that has been hardened by the many feet and the hot sun.. It was unplowed.. no shovel or rake.. no tiller has touched this ground.  The seed that landed there had no chance of growing.. only the birds would benefit from these seeds.   Jesus tells His disciples that this is like the Word of God that is spoken but ignored completely.  It is trampled by careless and uncaring feet. Those who happened to hear it would not believe it.. could not even receive it in their hardened hearts. 

As Jesus watched the seeds being thrown by the farmer, He saw some seeds landing in the rocky soil at the edge of the path. Some of these seeds would reach the soil between the rocks and grow up a little.. But there would not be enough good soil to sustain it. It would quickly wither in the hot sun.  Jesus says that these seeds are like those who hear the word and think that it is wonderful. It makes them happy for a while.. but then they move on to the next good thing and forget all about what they had heard. 

Likewise, some seeds fell on the thorny ground, more ground that had not been prepared to receive the seeds properly. It might grow some but then the thorns.. those sharp, thick, nasty thorns that rip through the skin and grab onto your clothes.. they choke out whatever good that was growing.  Jesus compares this to those who receive the good news, but all the worries of life take over.  They worry about their money, their entertainment.. their houses, jobs, families... whatever seems more important than God's word... and they just give up. 

But.. the farmer has a purpose in sowing his seed.. as God has a purpose for sending His Word.. for some falls on good soil... prepared, tilled, fertile soil.. ready to receive the seed and grow the crop that the farmer desires.  Jesus says that the Word of God that is heard by an "honest and good heart".. a heart that will "Hold it fast".. will "bear fruit with perseverance." 

Jesus called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." 

Father, we want to hear Your Voice, to receive the Word and live according to it. We believe that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.. Jesus Christ the living Word, the final Word as Hebrews 1 tells us.. and we receive Him in our hearts which You prepared to hold Him fast and to persevere.. so that we can bear fruit as we abide in Him.  To God be the glory!  We pray for those who have heard but have allowed rocks and thorns to choke out the Word. Father, open their ears so that they can truly hear, and believe.  We ask this in Jesus' name.. Amen. 

 Luke 8:1-3  There were  "..some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses; Mary.. Joanna.. and Susanna and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means"  These women followed Jesus "going from one city and village to another". 

We know a little bit about these women.  We know that Mary of Magdalene had been possessed by demons and that Jesus had delivered her.  We know that she followed Him to the very end and beyond.  Luke tells us that Joanna was the wife of Chuza, who was a steward in Herod's house.  We don't know much about Susanna. 

Matthew tells about the women too.  In Matthew 27:55-56 he writes that  "many women.. who had followed Jesus from Galilee"  had ministered to Jesus along the way and were there at the cross. Again Mary Magdalene is mentioned first.  Another Mary is identified as "the mother of James and Joseph".  This James is also called the "less" or the younger James.. The mother of the "sons of Zebedee" James and John, also followed Jesus.  The two Mary's are the ones that went to the grave that first Resurrection Sunday.. the first to witness the stone rolled away. (28:1)  

Mark also comments on the women who followed Jesus. Mark 15:40 "And there were also some women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome."  Verse 41 tells us "there were many other women who had come up with Him to Jerusalem. "  

Luke will tell later that these women "were standing at a distance, seeing these things".. seeing the crucifixion.. hearing His last words.. watching the final breath escape His lungs. Luke tells us how they followed the procession to the tomb and saw the stone rolled into place..and then their return on the first day of the week to find the stone rolled away!

It is John who tells us Mary, the mother of Jesus was there also at the foot of the cross, along with her sister.. also called Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.  John also tells about Mary Magdalene going to the tomb "early".. finding the stone rolled away , running to tell Peter and himself  and shortly later speaking to Jesus in the garden. 

These women were important to Jesus and to His ministry.  I wonder about them... how did they leave their homes, their husbands, their children and follow Jesus around the country?  The mother of James the less seems to have brought Joses and Salome with her to follow along with this James.  Also the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee  went.. apparently leaving her husband back in Galilee managing his fishing boat. It wouldn't have been easy to leave their homes and care for this band of disciples.. but they did it for the love of the Savior. 

Women still leave behind families to follow Jesus.. serving Him without hesitation.  My own sister lived in Africa for many, many years.. following the call of Jesus to serve Him far away from the rest of us.  It was a sacrifice on both sides of the ocean, but the Lord blessed us all to see the fruit of changed lives as Christ was made known to people who would not have heard the good news of Jesus Christ when they did. 

Father in heaven, I want to be a woman serves You, who follows Your plan and not my own.  You determine our steps, Lord and we thank You for being so faithful in leading us into Your great and wonderful will.  May we be like these faithful women, who quietly served You in the background, but who honored You in every act of love.. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.