Reading the Bible Everyday – Luke 8

Joy: You’re listening to the Lifting Her Voice podcast, Episode #52.  Today we’ll read the 8th chapter of Luke together.  And these are all stories and parables you’ve heard before if you’ve read Matthew and Mark with me.  Let’s look for something that is fresh to us.

Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast.  I’m your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me as we simply read God’s word together.  Some things require discipline and sometimes that’s just not easy to muster by yourself, no matter how badly you want to do it or how much you know you should.  It’s just easier to do it with a friend.  So refill your coffee or tea, get comfortable in your favorite chair and follow along as I read aloud.  I’m so glad you’re here!

I’m a Baptist.  Well, I am now.  Previously, the three churches I attended had all been non-denominational.  I liked it…they were kinda free and easy and there was no secret handshake you had to know.  Then Mitch and I moved to the country and our choice of local churches narrowed quite a bit…like, down to one.  My youngest, once she started school, quickly started asking for rides to that little church, because there was a youth group.  To my shame, however, it was a year before I stepped into the sanctuary.  I mean, I couldn’t be a Baptist, right?  They can’t dance.  Finally, though, the heart of this Jesus girl couldn’t do without anymore.  I slipped into a pew about 2/3 of the way back one Sunday in 2003.  My now pastor is of German descent.  Well that’s not accurate…he is German…like, born and raised.  Truth be told, I attended for two weeks and could barely understand most of what he said.  But somehow, I was drawn.  I knew I was hearing rock-solid Biblical truth.  And I was tired of milk toast.  I knew I had found a home.  Especially when I met the pastor’s wife, who is now one of my best friends.  She smiled her warm-mixed-with-mischievous smile and said, “You just keep dancin’.”   

Luke Chapter 8:  1 Soon afterwards He was traveling from one town and village to another, preaching and telling the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary, called Magdalene (seven demons had come out of her); 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others who were supporting them from their possessions. 4 As a large crowd was gathering, and people were flocking to Him from every town, He said in a parable: 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. As he was sowing, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the sky ate it up. 6 Other seed fell on the rock; when it sprang up, it withered, since it lacked moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns; the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. 8 Still other seed fell on good ground; when it sprang up, it produced a crop: 100 times [what was sown].” As He said this, He called out, “Anyone who has ears to hear should listen!” 9 Then His disciples asked Him, “What does this parable mean?” 10 So He said, “The secrets of the kingdom of God have been given for you to know, but to the rest it is in parables, so that Looking they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. ” 11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 The seeds 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 seeds on the rock are those who, when they hear, welcome the word with joy. Having no root, these believe for a while and depart in a time of testing. 14 As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who, when they have heard, go on their way and are choked with worries, riches, and pleasures of life, and produce no mature fruit. 15 But the seed in the good ground-these are the ones who, having heard the word with an honest and good heart, hold on to it and by enduring, bear fruit. 16 “No one, after lighting a lamp, covers it with a basket or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in may see the light. 17 For nothing is concealed that won’t be revealed, and nothing hidden that won’t be made known and come to light. 18 Therefore, take care how you listen. For whoever has, more will be given to him; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.” 19 Then His mother and brothers came to Him, but they could not meet with Him because of the crowd. 20 He was told, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see You.” 21 But He replied to them, “My mother and My brothers are those who hear and do the word of God.” 22 One day He and His disciples got into a boat, and He told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, 23 and as they were sailing He fell asleep. Then a fierce windstorm came down on the lake; they were being swamped and were in danger. 24 They came and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to die!” Then He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves. So they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were fearful and amazed, asking one another, “Who can this be? He commands even the winds and the waves, and they obey Him!” 26 Then they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 When He got out on land, a demon-possessed man from the town met Him. For a long time he had worn no clothes and did not stay in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What do You have to do with me, Jesus, You Son of the Most High God? I beg You, don’t torment me!” 29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and although he was guarded, bound by chains and shackles, he would snap the restraints and be driven by the demon into deserted places. 30 “What is your name?” Jesus asked him. “Legion,” he said-because many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged Him not to banish them to the abyss. 32 A large herd of pigs was there, feeding on the hillside. The demons begged Him to permit them to enter the pigs, and He gave them permission. 33 The demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned. 34 When the men who tended them saw what had happened, they ran off and reported it in the town and in the countryside. 35 Then people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man the demons had departed from, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 36 Meanwhile the eyewitnesses reported to them how the demon-possessed man was delivered. 37 Then all the people of the Gerasene region asked Him to leave them, because they were gripped by great fear. So getting into the boat, He returned. 38 The man from whom the demons had departed kept begging Him to be with Him. But He sent him away and said, 39 “Go back to your home, and tell all that God has done for you.” And off he went, proclaiming throughout the town all that Jesus had done for him. 40 When Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed Him, for they were all expecting Him. 41 Just then, a man named Jairus came. He was a leader of the synagogue. He fell down at Jesus’ feet and pleaded with Him to come to his house, 42 because he had an only daughter about 12 years old, and she was at death’s door. While He was going, the crowds were nearly crushing Him. 43 A woman suffering from bleeding for 12 years, who had spent all she had on doctors yet could not be healed by any, 44 approached from behind and touched the tassel of His robe. Instantly her bleeding stopped. 45 “Who touched Me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds are hemming You in and pressing against You.” 46 “Somebody did touch Me,” said Jesus. “I know that power has gone out from Me.” 47 When the woman saw that she was discovered, she came trembling and fell down before Him. In the presence of all the people, she declared the reason she had touched Him and how she was instantly cured. 48 “Daughter,” He said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” 49 While He was still speaking, someone came from the synagogue leader’s [house], saying, “Your daughter is dead. Don’t bother the Teacher anymore.” 50 When Jesus heard it, He answered him, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe, and she will be made well.” 51 After He came to the house, He let no one enter with Him except Peter, John, James, and the child’s father and mother. 52 Everyone was crying and mourning for her. But He said, “Stop crying, for she is not dead but asleep.” 53 They started laughing at Him, because they knew she was dead. 54 So He took her by the hand and called out, “Child, get up!” 55 Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then He gave orders that she be given something to eat. 56 Her parents were astounded, but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.

Well, this is the third time we’ve been told the story of that poor woman with the bleeding and of Jairus’ daughter being raised from the dead.  The two stories are connected in all three Synoptic Gospels…I never noticed that before.  A couple of things struck me in these two stories, and I wonder if you saw them too.  First, Verse 47 says, “In the presence of all the people, she declared the reason she had touched him…”  Something about her vulnerability touches me.  I don’t know what kind of hemorrhaging she was experiencing but it can’t have been pleasant and probably not something that you would necessarily publicize.  And yet here she was, going at risk of being ‘found out’, humiliated, rejected.  But her faith that Jesus was who He said He was and that He could heal her was stronger than her instinct to protect herself.  Could a person see her own sin in this story…just laying it all out there in the belief that Jesus will heal her?  In the next story, I imagine Jairus faltering when he hears the news of his daughter.  Jesus is right there to bolster him.  “Jairus, look at Me…don’t waver, don’t be afraid.  I’m right here.  Only believe.”  Let’s pray.  Oh, Jesus, I see that these two stories go hand in hand to emphasize faith.  Faith is how we come to You, it’s how we are sustained by You.  It’s hard work while we’re in the flesh, and so often, we fail.  Will You hold us up like You did Jairus?  Will You reward our vulnerability in light of Your Grace?  We believe that You will, Jesus.  In Your name we pray, Amen.

Thank you for joining me here today.  I pray God will grow in you what has been planted and watered here.  In this time of unprecedented struggle worldwide, we can look to God for guidance and comfort.  Be sensitive to those in your circle of influence who need a word of encouragement and invite them to join us.  If you like this show, it would be great if you give it a five-star review.  Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  See you right here tomorrow.  Be well!