Luke 7 and 8 Advent (meaning ‘Arrival’)
This is a simple call to evangelism from Luke 7. Our call does not require extensive knowledge of the Bible or training. Tell someone what you know about Jesus. The rest is up to God. As we read the last verse of Chapter 6 and then Luke 7:1, Jesus worked His plan – or God’s plan as we know it. Hear Jesus’ words, “‘But the one who has heard, and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house upon the ground without any foundation; and the river burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great’. When He had completed all His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum.” Jesus kept going and reporting His purpose – to demonstrate compassion, heal and save all from their sins.
7:10 – “And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health”. Jesus was on His way to heal a servant who died before He arrived so the miracle arrived from a distance. Could it be that Jesus was far too busy to show up for the accolades? It does not say that He completed the journey but He did complete the healing miracle.
7:15 – “And the dead man sat up, and began to speak. And Jesus gave him back to his mother”. Jesus was driven by compassion. Such a good word for our world today. If we got up each morning with that as our second thought (the first being, Jesus thank you for another day) we could transform our street. My friend has a son stricken with cancer. I pray daily that Jesus will give him back to his mother. In verse 16 it says that those witnessing this miracle were gripped with fear resulting in an action, glorifying God. These witnesses made two remarks – one inaccurate and the second, accurate. Jesus is not a great prophet who had risen among them BUT…wait for it…God has visited His people. This describes the advent season as God with us!
7:19 – Was John the Baptist losing hope? I don’t think so but he must have been surprised that Jesus ministry was far different. John shouted REPENT. Jesus said follow me. Only the perfect Son of God had the right to say that in power and John prepared the way. What could be more radical than raising the dead? Verse 22 repeats the theme of Go and Report. Also read verses 23, 27-28. In verse 29 the writer shows some kind of prejudice by mentioning “all the people and the tax gatherers” as if they are another species! Verse 30 confirms that the Pharisees and lawyers rejected God’s purpose and plan for their repentance.
7:39-50 – Taking this chapter to completion, Jesus welcomes all. Agage is intelligent good will. Simon, the Pharisee is hosting Jesus at table and a known lewd woman anoints Jesus. “And Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace'”.
Chapter 8 – Jesus is still going and reporting – also our assignment. He teaches in parables. He calls out to His followers in verse 8, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear”. I am reminded that not all who hear believe. That is why an offer to confess faith concludes each service at my church. People leave unsaved after hearing the exact same thing that you and I heard. My heart is always tender at this point and I am grateful that belief comes easily to me. What is your experience?
8:5-18 – This is the parable of the sower. The seed is the Word of God but we are warned of what can happen in our hearts. There are four possible outcomes to hearing the truth; 1) the devil takes the word from our heart, 2) a time of temptation causes our belief to fall away, 3) we can be choked by this life (worry, riches, and pleasures), or 4) faith comes by hearing the Word of God, by an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit by perseverance. In summary, HEAR and HOLD onto the Word of God.
8:26-39 – I have never seen a dead person made alive again. I have seen or heard of God answering prayers for healing. I have felt the presence of demons – the room went cold in an instant. I am still amazed that the people are frightened that a crazy person had put on clothes and his intelligence was restored by Jesus who “made him well”. Jesus asks the healed man to not join the procession of followers but to stay home and HEAR and HOLD then GO and REPORT. It just may be that Jesus is guiding me to stay behind and be a witness where I am. How about you?
8:43-56 – The miracle of Jesus that speaks to me the most is of the woman with a twelve year hemorrhage. I do not have that ailment but I do need to be brave enough to reach out and touch Jesus and feel His power in me. In verse 48 Jesus says to the woman, me, and you, “Daughter, your faith has made you will; go in peace”. We are to ask for help then stop weeping for this harm that Jesus may reverse. There are many unrecorded miracles and private miracles that we will learn more about later but Jesus does tell us in verse 55, what happens when a person dies, “And her SPIRIT RETURNED, and she rose up immediately, and He gave orders for something to be given her to eat”. I hope it was cake.
