Maybe I've just got feasting and celebrating on my mind this month, but, Oh!!! ...what a FEAST of TRUTH we find in chapters 8 and 9 of Luke's gospel! Isn't it amazing to read the four gospels, so unique, yet perfectly unified. More than likely, we are in familiar territory here as we read these recorded events. The parable of the Sower, a lamp, a storm, demon-possession, diseases, a miraculous food ration, the Transfiguration and countless lessons on eternity fill the verses of these chapters. I'd like to ask you to read these verses, and ask the Lord to show you something you've never seen before. I have chosen a few portions that got my brain clicking, and in some cases my heart racing! God's word is alive, and He lives in me! Praise Him!
I love that the women who came face-to-face with this Jesus, never wanted to leave Him! Mary Magdelene, freed of 7 demons, Joanna and Susanna who themselves had experienced the healing power of Christ chose to serve Him with the work of their hands. They chose to be with Him, they gave to the mission of their own means. They likely cared for the men and did everything they could to serve the One who saved them. They recognized their role, and filled it beautifully.
In respect to storms, I can handle rain, thunder, lightning, and such....but let the wind start blowing and I am looking for the nearest closet! Something interesting about this storm recorded in Luke though, something I'm not sure I've considered enough. The disciples in the storm, in this boat, were there on account of Christ. It was for His sake that they were in the storm, and Who better to be in company of? What better place to be than in His will? I'm quite convinced that no one place is safer than another. The Lord is with me, and I can go where ever He leads and have perfect peace. He will protect me. And, if He so chooses to honor me with great tribulation, I am learning to trust Him more every day to use it for His glory. Even in death, I cannot lose.
"Legion." This was the response when asked his name. It sends shivers up my spine! We are told that many demons were in him. Interesting that they begged Jesus not to throw them into the abyss, but into the swine instead. Now there are numerous applications and amazing truths to glean from this, but I will choose the one that spoke to me today. I was struck by the people's response to the healing of this man. They were more frightened after he was healed. Why? Was it the unknown that scared them?? I read a commentary about this portion, and will quote that here, as John Darby says exactly what was on my heart in words I can't form any better:
"The world beseeches Jesus to depart, desiring their own ease, which is more disturbed by the presence and power of God than by a legion of devils."
Jesus asked who people say He is. The disciples answered with the things they had likely heard people say....like He was John the Baptist, He was Elijah, He was a prophet....basically, He was anything else than that which He claimed to be. Was it because it was too good to be true that the Savior would come in their lifetime? They seemed to think that "after thousands of years, is this what we've waited for?" Am I guilty of this today?? Oh, we say that He could come at any time, but do we truly believe it could be today?? Do our words and actions reflect that?
I love the fact that others were even talking about Him in the first place! The fame of His marvelous works had reached the ears of the king. Israel was without excuse. Whatever little conscience was left in pagan world, couldn't deny the effect of His power. He made an impression. It was lasting impression.
The Transfiguration is especially wonderful to study, isn't it? I love that Jesus talked to Moses and Elijah the same as He did to Peter, James, and John. I love how thin the veil is between us and what is eternal! As we read in Matthew, He is "Lord of the living and the dead." These saints of old are no more "special" than you are today! God loves you and wants to work through you!
And, I loved the words Jesus spoke to His followers whenever the time was right. He reminded them of eternity, and His purpose. Whether or not they fully understood the entire thing, we know that all of the pieces were coming together. The people across the lands marveled at Jesus and His miracles. Some hung on every word of His teaching. But, Jesus took some aside to invest in. Some who would be left with the task of telling the entire world about this Man. Read this portion of scripture afresh today:
"While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, He said to His disciples, "Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men." But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask Him about it."
This says that there was information hidden from them....Why were they afraid to ask questions? Was it hidden until they did ask? Was God waiting on them to ask? Or would He, in His sovereignty, keep it from them a little while longer knowing what is to come? I don't know. But, what is God saying to you about asking for clarification? Maybe on your journey, fear is keeping you from asking God for more details. He may never give the details, but don't let it be because you didn't ask.
Press on, sister!
