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LUKE - Christ, the Savior of the World
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Luke
PART 3 - JESUS' MINISTRY IN GALILEE (Luke 4:14 - 9:50)
12. Jesus Constant Companions (Luke 8:1-3)
LUKE 8:1-3
1 It happened soon afterwards, that he went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of the Kingdom of God. With him were the twelve, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; 3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuzas, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others; who served them from their possessions.
Luke is the only evangelist who reports how women helped to support Jesus and his disciples out of their own means. The Lord refused to make bread miraculously out of stones, so the women whom he healed gave him money to help in the ministry of the Lord and his apostles. Some of these women joined the band of salvation, accepted by the Lord, and kept by his holy power. No impurity touched Christ – a foretaste of heavenly love, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
It is a great privilege in Christianity that not only are men are faithful, but women as well. These noble women did not talk much, but devoted their attention with their practical mind to providing food and other needs.
Through Christ, many women in the world, have became free from contempt as being creatures in a degree beneath that of men, for Christ forgives their sins as he forgives the sins of men, all equal, placing them on the same level in redemptive salvation. Even today, Christ offers the fullness of the gospel to all women and girls, that is half of all human beings. He who hears his voice comes to him, becomes sanctified, and serves him in practical ways, as these respected women served him at that time.
13. The Parable of the Sower and the Field with its Four Kinds of Soil (Luke 8:4-15)
LUKE 8:4-8
4 When a great multitude came together, and people from every city were coming to him, he spoke by a parable. 5 “The farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell along the road, and it was trampled under foot, and the birds of the sky devoured it. 6 Other seed fell on the rock, and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 Other fell amid the thorns, and the thorns grew with it, and choked it. 8 Other fell into the good ground, and grew, and brought forth fruit one hundred times.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Do you want to hear more about different types of ground in Christ’s parables? Do you understand his teaching? His disciples did not completely understand Christ’s sayings, and they asked their Master to give them a fuller explanation. Yet the public were satisfied with the interesting story. They left Jesus the Sower and did not understand how to parable applied to their own condition, nor did they understand their own heart. A superficial man spontaneously hardens his heart and bears no fruit.
LUKE 8:9-10
9 Then his disciples asked him, “What does this parable mean?” 10 He said, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, but to the rest in parables; that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’
Such is the case, my dear brother, with those multitudes. But you are more interested in hearing about the gospel of Christ. You ask him humbly, and he opens your eyes, and cultivates your heart that you may accept the seed of the word of God. Hear the explanation of Christ prayerfully, and you will see the danger that surrounds you and the promises which the Son of God gave you for your deliverance.
LUKE 8:11-15
11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the road are those who hear, then the devil comes, and takes away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rock are they who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; but these have no root, who believe for a while, then fall away in time of temptation. 14 That which fell among the thorns, these are those who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 That in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Has your heart become hardened like a rough pathway, through too many worldly distractions such as listening to the radio, or being so preoccupied with your own thoughts, that there is no place for the word of God within you? Are you like a stone in the midst of a river, which remains dry? Ask your Lord for brokenness heart, that your heart should not be like a road paved with cement, but like fertile ground, that is good for sowing the word of God. If you do not repent, the devil will come, and take away the holy seed from you. The evil one, first of all, wants you to forget the powerful word of God. After you listen to sermons he makes you busy, with idle babblings, excited clamor, excessive pastimes, and futile imaginations so that your listening to the word should be in vain. Be watchful how you hear! Keep the word of the Lord with determination and steadiness, and memorize many verses. Do not think that your knowledge of the Lord’s counsel is enough. You are just a beginner.
Avoid being over-enthusiastie in following Christ. You are not righteous and skillful enough, nor are you worthy of serving him. He wants first to create in you a pure heart, and renew a steadfast spirit within you (Ps. 51), that you may study his words, and gain power from them. Do not be superficial, but open your heart completely to the grace of God, for its power can keep you in times of trouble, so that you may become patient and love your enemies. Ask your Lord to deal with your superficiality, imaginations, and self-righteousness that you may become righteous.
Do you love both money and the Lord at the same time? Are you trying to gain worldlyhonor and self-denial simultaneously? Do you trust the Almighty and yet wish to manage your own life? Are you satisfied with the joy of Christ, or are you also searching for worldly amusement? Christ wants you to be perfect in him. He does not crown a divided heart. If you do not give up yourself completely and forever to Christ, the spirit of the world will choke you, and worries will overburden you. Then you will not find power in yourself, for Christ is the only Deliverer and Savior.
Man in general do not have good, clean hearts as a good ground, but the word of Christ makes us useful, and prepares us for hearing, believing, and good works. Be aware that the fruits of the Holy Spirit do not grow in one day in a heart that was already filled with evil. In order to strengthen your faith, you need patience, longsuffering, and constant confidence in the mercy of God, for it is he who upholds you. Abide in him and he in you that you may bear much fruit.
PRAYER: O Lord, you know my heart. Please plow it deep. Break my indifference. Take away from me all desires for money and amusement. Overcome my worries and doubts. Sow your love in me, and teach me to look to you with patience.
QUESTION 61: What are the four types of men’s hearts that Jesus observed among his hearers? Why does only one kind bear good fruit?