Jesus was leading the 12 disciples. Luke makes a point telling us there were some specific women on this ministry team. In this society women were often not valued, which sometimes led to mistreatment. In contrast to the world, Jesus welcomes woman to walk with Him. This was highly unusual for a Rabbi and would have drawn looks and whispers. But this is consistent with the love and compassion Jesus extended to the barren woman, peasant girl, prostitute, the unclean, sick and afflicted. who They were those who had been healed and delivered by the hand of the Lord. Like the woman at the feet of Jesus, their lives were changed forever.
- Mary Magdalene, who had been delivered from 7 demons.
- Magdala was on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee near Capernaum.
- The first woman named on this ministry team is also the first woman to discover the empty tomb.
- Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod's steward.
- I wonder if he was still Herod's steward. Talk about tension on the job.
- Why is Joanna specifically named? Maybe because she was with Mary when they discovered an empty tomb.
- Susanna, who we know nothing about.
- Again, why name Susanna? Why isn't she in the 'many others'? Is it because she was among those who went to the tomb that morning?
- Many others, the language is specifically referring to other women.
It says they provided for Jesus from their own substance. This is money, clothing, food and shelter. Besides someone to keep the disciples straight, on time, and in line, the woman also had a unique and important ministry to other women. Imagine freewheeling Peter trying to minister to broken and scared young lady. Or maybe you could send the 'sons of Thunder' to help this poor girl. Maybe stodgy old Matthew, Judas? It's pretty clear they needed these women; they weren't just along for the ride.
Luke 8:4-10
The multitude gathered. Luke said they came from every city. This was a diverse group from all the surrounding areas. It shows us again how the news of Jesus was spreading. Every thing He said and did was becoming notorious and the news went out. The Pharisees were calling it 'fake news' but there were too many in the multitude. Even some of the pharisees were among the multitude. Note that Jesus is speaking to the multitude.
Jesus tells a parable of a sower: a parable, by definition, is 'a short moral story with symbolic meaning'. The farmer sowed his seeds by hand, casting the grain out upon the land in the late fall or early winter (Oct – Dec). Handfuls of seed were broadcast; similar to how we'd throw grass seed in our yard. The tiny seed went everywhere with hopes of a crop spring forth out sometime in April or May for a June harvest. The ground would be tilled and open to receive seed and moisture.
- Some fell by the wayside (NIV, ESV: path; NASB: Road). The path would be well worn down, nothing surviving the traffic. The path so hard nothing would take root anyway.
- The seed may have tried, but in the end, it was trampled and carried off by the birds.
The ground also contained rocks of various sizes. No matter how many are collected and removed, there are always more.
- Some seed fell on the rocks. It sprang up, trying to grow, but the roots couldn't reach the soil to dig in and draw moisture.
- Lacking that connection with sustenance, it withered away.
- Some of the seed fell among the thorns. The thorns were hardy and sprang up and choked the little seeds out.
- Thorns and thistle weeds seemed to grow in any kind of soil. When nothing else would grow, these would thrive. On the farm, they were their own brand of evil.
- The Palestinian thorns grew 6' high and had massive root system.
- Other seed fell on good ground. You cast the seed knowing some will be lost, some will never grow, but the good seed in good ground is the payoff. When it grows, its worth all the losses.
- A hundredfold yield is good.
First, what is a parable.
By definition, a parable is a short moral story with a symbolic meaning. Part of the root of the Greek word for 'parable' means 'to cast out'. Jesus was casting out a story about casting out. He essentially said that anyone who had ears had better listen up!! He stood before disciples and a great multitude and they all had ears. The message was for everyone.
The story is told of an ancient Stoic philosopher, Epictetus (c. a.d. 50–120), who wanted to teach his students that truth understood is of no value; it is truth acted upon which changes things. This is, of course, a great truth. Sometimes we try putting it in a little saying like "Practice what you preach." The problem is that we tend to remember only the words in these little sayings and ignore the truth they are intended to communicate.
Epictetus once gathered his students around and said, "Have you ever noticed that a sheep does not vomit up the grass it ate at the feet of the shepherd in order to impress him? The sheep digests it to produce wool and milk." What a vivid illustration of the idea that it is truth acted on that changes things. Certainly it is a word picture that you are unlikely to forget!
This is exactly what a parable is. It is truth put into a form that is so succinct, compelling, and accurate that you will not forget it.941[1]
A crowd hearing the truth of the kingdom might be able to regurgitate that truth, even an unbeliever could do that. But how do you get that truth inside someone so it comes out in their life. Then the truth is a concept you heard but it's a reality in your life.
An unbeliever would be more likely to listen to a story about a farmer than they would to a kingdom truth. An unbelieving heart is hardened to those things. It/'s the Holy Spirit that brings a parable to light.
Then, lets deal with the Disciples:
The disciples probably all looked at each other to see if anyone else got it, each wondering if they were the only one. They gave in and asked what it meant. Disciples were privileged to know the mysteries of God's kingdom. These mysteries aren't some hidden, coded message to which they had been give the secret key. No, the mysteries were the Old Testament words of God spoke through prophets; the law and the precepts of God. All these would be fulfilled in Jesus. He was given to them and in Him they would see all of scripture fulfilled. Jesus is the divine secret.
You want to know the biggest mystery that's been revealed to you, as a believer, as a disciple? The biggest mystery is that God saves wicked sinners, just like you and me. We can testify to that. Now you may wonder why this didn't occur to the disciples and why they didn't understand. God reveals himself in each of our lives in a very different way all along the way. This is a large part of our sanctification. It's growing up, maturing in God. Learning our ABC's of faith.
Paul told the Corinthians the very same thing:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written:
"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. (1 Corinthians 2:7-12)
On the Emmaus road (Luke 24:27) Jesus expounded to the travelers all the Scriptures of things concerning Himself.
31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.
32 And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:31-32)
Now we need to consider the multitude:
Jesus stood before the multitude speaking to the disciples. What did the parable mean? It meant the multitude did not know the mysteries of God. They did not consider a trinitarian God that spoke the work into being; they didn't look to Isaiah 53 or Psalm 22 and know they spoke of Jesus. It was verse 1 that said Jesus had gone to every city and village, preaching and bringing good tidings of the kingdom of God. News of the kingdom had gone out. Many could repeat the words of Jesus. They had received them on some level. Why? If we could look into the heart of each person, we'd see their motivation; selfishness, pride and a deep-seated desire to reign over their own life. Why follow Jesus around them? They recognized their need on some level. Ruling their own life wasn't working. They knew there was more, they needed more.
- Purpose, among the day to day, month after month cycle of life.
- Contentment, when anything close to that seems to last but a short time.
- Peace from my conscience, anger, burden, guilt, shame
- A sense of belonging to something lasting, something without an agenda.
- Love unmeasured, without condition. Just to love without worry of it being ripped away. To be loved when I know I'm undeserving. To learn to love like that.
Mankind rarely recognizes these needs or thinks about them on a personal level. The textbooks tell us this is the way our brain works and how this forms our actions in this world. They fail to mention our actions taken to fulfill these things never fully satiate the desires. These are only found in Christ.
The multitude needed a parable because they would be characterized as seeing, but not really; hearing, but never getting it from their head to their heart. People always knew the parable was directed at them, for them to think about. Human reasoning protects the sinful heart and hard-heartedness lives on. A parable infects the human reasoning with the wisdom of God and can penetrate the hard heart.
Luke 8:11-15
Jesus explained the parable. It was God's word being broadcast to a world. Like seed, it scattered evenly across the available ground.
- Some fell on the path.
- They hear, the devil intercepts it, stealing it away.
- It's trampled down. The birds of the air devour the seed.
- In the multitude, were those who heard of God's kingdom and the call to repentance. Before they could respond of consider this word, there came a distraction or a temptation. Something seemed more important at that moment and after it was tended to, the word was gone, never to be considered.
- They hear, the devil intercepts it, stealing it away.
- So me fell on Rock.
- It sprang up and then withered away with no moisture.
- The springing up is the initial response to the good news. It was easy when miracles were abundant, food available and needs were met. However, it was shallow belief, not deeply rooted with access to sustenance. When the party atmosphere was over, it withered away.
- This is so visible in folks going to conferences, or a concert or rally. In the atmosphere, at the moment, when everyone else was doing it, there was a response. But it was brief. When they return home, it doesn't seem as powerful or important. When this new faith is tested, it withers and dies because there is no sustenance.
- Some fell among the thorns.
- The thorns sprang up with this seed and choked it.
- Again, it was separating this seed from the sustaining force. In this case its done by the thorns, by sin. The sinful, deceitful heart wins out in believing it needs that sin more than it needs the savior. The eternal hope is choked out.
- With the riches and pleasures of this life, the seed doesn't grow to bearing fruit. It's like the seed siting in the ground doing nothing.
These first 3 are examples of the seed failing to grow as intended. The failure isn't the seeds fault, it is the same seed in each case. The failure is in the soil.
- Some fell on good ground.
- They heard, keep it and bear fruit. The fruit comes through endurance.
- Where does this good ground come from? It has to be broken up. The hardpan that just happens must be broken through to let the seed in. Our pride must be broken. We have to step off the throne of our life.
No one in the multitude thought of themselves as not hearing that word. No one thought they were the hardpan of the path or the hard-hearted rock. No one thought there was enough thorns in their life to choke out the word. Everyone would have thought they were good soil.
Luke 8:16-18
Notice there is no break here, no indication Jesus moved on or started talking about something else. Bearing fruit with endurance is likened to letting your light shine. To receive God's word in good soil is to be changed, to bear fruit and go on doing so. This is a light in your life and the mystery of God revealed in you. Others will see the new you and be mystified wondering what changed it you. It is the mystery of God unveiling itself in your life.
If you have hidden the lamp or covered it, it will be revealed. Among the multitude there were those tried to reveal a light they did not possess. Others thought they possessed it, but it would be revealed they never had it. Those who truly have it, can't hide it. Jesus then warns the multitude to watch carefully how you hear.
If you are in Christ, there should be evidence of that in your life. If you walk in faith, trusting your being to Him, to serve Him in dark valleys as much as mountaintop experiences, more will be given to you. Your faith will grow. It is being used, tested, pressed out and exercised. To him who has no faith, you will sink farther into the abyss. Monumental sincerity in a false hope of a god of your making will be like having the rug pulled out from under you. Even what you think you possess will be taken away.
If you are soundly saved; you must be feeding on God's word. Ask the Lord to use you without boundary or excuse. Many think, "What if He asks me to go to some dark, faraway place?" That's the devil trying to choke the word out of you. If He asks you to go, He will give you the grace to go. He'll give you the desire. You need to present yourself to Him, yes He'll have you doing things you never thought you could do. I can testify to that.
We're all so reserved, so careful. So controlling. We quickly respond with, "I don't know how. I'm not smart enough. I don't have time. I'm too scared. I'm not holy enough. I don't know the bible enough. Many have used that excuse their entire life. Today is the day to take heed. What you think you have; you may not have at all.
For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire." (2 Peter 2:21-22)
Luke 8:19-21
Are you among the Lord's family? Those who hear (let him who has ears, hear) the word of God and do it. Jesus looked beyond His earthly family toward those who would be family for all eternity. Are you among those who heard and do the word of God?
I want to come back to the first part of chapter 8. Some of these women were examples of those who came from dark and oppressive situations. They didn't just repeat the words of Jesus, they walked them out. They followed Him into dangerous situations. Yet, they realized He didn't save them to abandon them; they had already lived in abandonment of the world. No, to walk with Jesus, to be without a home or house or money, for them was life, light and freedom. They were bought and paid for by His blood. They had become His responsibility – what better hands could we fall into.
10 "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11)
Within the great multitude there were probably those who listened that day but never heard. The Kingdom talk was a nice thought, a hope on the horizon. However, it didn't change their life in any way. The word was forgotten under attack from the devil, in the trials of life, choked off with cares, riches and pleasures of life. I wonder how many heard of the Jesus crucified and remembered that day; not remembering the words but the picture of seed falling. Then, a few days later when they heard He was resurrected and knew He was more than a man, did it change their thoughts in any way? When they were broken by their own pursuit of prideful things, or by the cruelty of this world, or even by religion; was the soil of their heart broken up and improved? Among the multitude, did any look back and realize they had had been the bad soil? We don't know. What's more important is for all who have ears, to hear and take heed and check the fruit of their life. Citizens of the Kingdom, bear fruit from the good soil. Citizens of the Kingdom let their light shine.
Luke 8:22-25
The indication that this was a certain day shows a break in the chronology, yet Luke placed it here for a reason. The parable of the soils is still in our thoughts where the multitude were given a parable as a picture to convey a deep meaning. Did anyone get the meaning? There was certainly a distinguishing of disciples from the multitude. However, even the disciples struggled to figure out what was going on and didn't understand the parable. Yet, they would come to know soon, when Christ was revealed in them. The Lord's family are those who hear, take heed and do God's word.
On this particular day, Jesus got into a boat with His disciples. To them it was just another day of following Jesus. For Jesus, it was a specific day, with purpose, as each day is. The 'lake' reference is the Sea of Galilee. At its widest point, the Sea of Galilee is 7 miles across. From Capernaum to where they were headed was about this same distance. A boat holding Jesus and all the disciples was a significant boat, larger than most of the fishing boats used at the time.
Imagine the quiet of the water after being pressed by the multitude, especially day after day. This serenity of the lake was a welcome relief and time of rest for Jesus. He fell into fitful sleep. At the same time a storm hit. The wind storm is a 'squall wind' that is known to happen on the Sea of Galilee. On board this boat there were quite a few experienced sailors who had seen this type of storm many times. Yet, it seemed to have caught them off guard. They were suddenly filling with water, getting swamped by the waves. They suddenly realized they were at great risk. We can imagine the waves washing over the gunwale. The wind roaring, blowing the rain sideways. In the middle of this, we see a great contrast; Jesus sleeping and the disciples yelling, "We are perishing!"
An 'old salt' is an old sailor. They say it's during the storms that you find the quality of the 'old salt'. It seems the same for disciples. Were they really in danger alongside Jesus? If they were really perishing, did they believe Jesus was unaware and they needed to update Him? They had seen much already; He had done amazing things. Did they think this was beyond His grasp? Did they think that as they walked with Jesus that bad things couldn't, or wouldn't happen? Was perishing all that bad, if you are in the presence of Jesus?
The panic the disciples felt is quite a contrast to the peace Jesus was experiencing. Was that same peace available to them? Were they supposed to realize that? If there were in fact 12 disciples in the boat, doesn't it seem like one of them would have the spiritual maturity to say, "Hey, wait a minute guys, Jesus is sleeping peacefully. I think He's still in control. I think we'll be all right. After all, He said we were going over, not under." At which case the other 11 would have either realized the same or threw Mr. spiritual maturity overboard. Have you noticed that panic spreads like a virus among people, in the blink of an eye, everyone is infected? While optimism isn't nearly as contagious and many times you can't give it away at all.
How does the Son of God rebuke the wind? With a look? A raising of the eyebrows? With a word? Yelled or whispered? Maybe just with a thought. Whatever it was, it was clear to them Jesus had done the rebuking. The Greek word means 'warn forcefully' or 'express strong disapproval'.
The apostle John wrote of Jesus,
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (John 1:1-4)
Jesus is the Word of God, He spoke the world into existence. Everything made, was made by Him. The winds and waves were accessories to creation, to be used for His purpose, particularly in this case.
Paul wrote this to the Colossians,
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. (Colossians 1:15-16)
To see Jesus sleeping in the boat was to gaze upon God the Son. He had always been, though not a man; He will always be, as a man, as we shall be. He not only created and controlled all of creation, He controlled all the spiritual realm also. The older I get them more I believe, I've come to know 'it's all spiritual'.
The disciple would have feared the deep, the dark abyss – a forever darkness of the deep, the unknown. These were the forces of chaos unleashed on them. These thoughts were frightening, even to fishermen. The idea of being pulled into the deep was a fate worse than a death on dry land. In their Jewish upbringing they would have been taught Yahweh alone controlled the raging sea. Yet, the culture was filled many myths of creatures of the deep; gods of the waters who showed their anger with storms. These things had to be in the back of their mind if not still imprinted on their value system from their youth.
With a word, a nod or a gesture, the storm was gone. Not only gone, but calm. The fear was gone, panic an embarrassing memory. Jesus had just confirmed to them that He was God and that He held power over the seas and all of creation.
After rebuking the wind, Jesus asked them where their faith was. Was this a rebuke also? If just one of them spoke up, maybe the others would have followed. Which disciple said, "I have faith, I knew it was going to be okay." Who thought to themselves, I didn't want to say anything for fear of being different; for fear of being labeled? Why is it we can find comfort with the crowd in chaos but not in the peace of Jesus? Why do we think, 'Everyone is panicking, it must be bad and I need to worry?' No one thought, 'I know others are panicked, but I'm watching Jesus. If he seems concerned, then we have a problem.'
Did the disciples have the faith to rebuke this storm? Is that what Jesus was saying? No, only God rebukes storms. He certainly didn't mean they needed to believe in themselves or their ability to survive. Jesus was saying could have faith in the storm and chaos, because they could keep their eyes on Him and trust Him. That's the faith. Go through the storm with your eyes on Jesus. If he starts bailing water, bail water. If he gets out and walks on the water, go for a walk with him. If He chooses to take you home, is staying in the chaos and storm a better choice to you. Did panic change anything.
Their fear shifted. Now the fear was for Jesus, scared of what they didn't understand, marveling at what they saw happen. "Who can this be?" was the question they voiced. Yet, they knew, deep down inside they had to have known. Their fear was turning to reverence, turning it into faith and trust. How often do we see fear as the enemy of faith?
Luke 8:26-31
The Disciples arrived on the other side of the lake and stepped out of their boat into another adventure with Jesus; the day was still young. It appears the source of Luke's account of this lines up closely with Mark. Both of those gospels tells us they were in the country of Gadarenes. However, Gadara was quite a ways away. The text speaks of a place alongside the water. Matthew says they were in the "country of the Gergesenes." There was a place called Gergesa near the sea. This may have been Gergesa instead of Gadara. We just can't be sure and its not important to the event.
Note: Gadarene means 'reward at the end'. Could it be a phrase rather than a name, 'the country of those who are rewarded at the end'. A phrase that wouldn't be far-fetched for a gentile man speaking of Jesus' first excursion to gentile lands. Likewise, Matthew uses Gergesenes, and it means 'a stranger drawing near'. Again, not a far-fetched idea that Matthew spoke of this gentile land as the land of 'strangers drawing near'.
They met a man who had been ruled by demons for a long time. When sin, wickedness and evil rule this life, this body, it takes its toll. This man no longer lived in a house or wore cloths. He was closer in being to a wild animal than a man. He was no longer able to live among other people, he was a danger, not to mention most didn't want a scary naked man around their family. When this man saw Jesus, he fell face down before Jesus.
The disciples were probably back alongside the boat trying to figure out who this was that controlled the seas while the demons declared Jesus as Son of the Most High God. The demons recognized Jesus, knew His name and knew of His authority. They wondered why he was there as if they knew their future, but didn't think it was time yet. This was gentile territory; it may be that the demons felt safe on that side of the sea.
The demons had tormented this man but begged Jesus not to torment them. Jesus had commanded them to come out of the man. The word for torment means 'to be tortured and experience unbearable pain. They knew they had an appointed time of judgment. They must have wondered what changed, it didn't appear to be that time to them. They begged Jesus not to torment them. The towns people had apparently tired to bind him to keep him and other safe, but he broke through their best shackles and chains with apparent super strength. The Demon drove him into the wilderness where he found a home among the dead. His name was Legion, implying thousands. A Roman legion was 6000 men. Again they begged not to be thrown into the 'Abysson'. This was believed to be the place where God confines demons.
Nothing is said of the disciples. I imagine most thought this man was too far gone, a waste of time. They are probably the same ones that thought the prostitute at the Pharisees banquet was a waste of time. It's possible they once thought they were too far gone and a waste of time. So far, Jesus' record is pretty good. I picture Peter with his sword out. He and John competing for the role as Jesus' body guard. Yet, both of them fearing this crazy man among the tombs.
Luke 8:32-40
A herd of swine were near, on a mountain. They begged to be allowed to enter the swine. Why? We don't really know. It's as though they needed to inhabit a living being. Pigs were better than nothing to them. Interesting that they needed Jesus' permission to relocate. Why did Jesus permit it? We really have no idea. We really can't be sure what demons are. One school of thought is these demons were originally the offspring of the fallen angels and the daughters of men spoken of in Genesis 6. They were not human, but not angelic. When they drowned in the flood, these spirits don't belong anywhere. Demons are called 'unclean' spirits. One of the ideas of unclean to the Jews was a co-mingling of two things that ought not to be mixed. While this makes some sense, we can't be sure.
At the permission of Jesus, the demons left the man, ran into the pigs who ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned. If the speculation we spoke of were true, then drowning again would be torture to them. Some see the death of the pigs and the demons. Yet, where did these spirits go?
It's at this point you can insert your favorite joke. The pigs were the first swine flu (flew off the cliff). They committed sueycide. It's the first example of deviled ham. The man watched as the same evil destructive force that once lived in him destroyed the herd of 2000 hogs (Mark tells us there are about 2000). The hog farmers must have been watching the demoniac and Jesus wondering what was happening. Suddenly their herd was gone. I think they went to get the mob. When they returned there was the man sitting at the feet of Jesus. This was the place and posture of a learning disciple. This is right where the prostitute had been at the Pharisee's house. Once naked, he was now clothed. Once roaming, he was now sitting. The mind once deranged was now sound. He was acting normal. You'd like to think they smiled, laughed and celebrated with this man. His life was restored. His situation hadn't been hopeless like they thought. Instead they were afraid.
This is our human response to things we don't understand. If we don't understand something, we can't control it. This brings fear. In fear, our response is to run of fight. Their concern was to in finding out who this man was who performed a deliverance like they couldn't imagine. In addition, there was significant financial impact in losing 2000 hogs. In their mind, this man's life wasn't worth it. They thought little about the man and his life. Their eyes were on themselves.
The multitude became a mob – they didn't ask for healing. They didn't ask for more information on who He was. They didn't ask about their pigs. They just asked Him to leave. They were overcome with fear. The man who was delivered begged to come along with Jesus. He wanted to learn from Jesus, to know more. This man now had a testimony and place to tell it among his own people. He was called as a missionary to his own. He was to tell of the great things 'God' had done. For a moment the man must have thought, 'No, you delivered me, not God." But he must have realized It was God. He went and told everyone about Jesus. A seed was planted among the gentiles.
There was a lot of begging going on:
- The demons begged Jesus not to be tormented.
- The demons begged him not to throw them into the abyss.
- The disciples were probably begging Jesus to get in the boat and go home.
- The people begged Jesus to leave.
- The man begged Jesus to let him come with Him.
There was no begging on Jesus' part. He was in control.
Some translations put verse 40 with 39 and previous while others group verse 40 with verse 41. Neither is necessarily correct since there were no breaks for headings in the original. It appears these two sections connect chronologically. Jesus returned Gedara with the disciples still trying to figure out who this was that silenced the wind and the waves as well as cast out a legion of demons bringing renewed life to a man long abandoned by the world.
The multitude was waiting on Him and welcomed Him. I wonder if this was the same multitude Jesus had left after teaching the parable of the soils. How many truly heard the lesson of the soils and repented? Some probably went home, satisfied with the experience, others just to get on with their life. Do you suppose any left as a different person, a new person in Christ?
Jairus means 'he who enlightens' or 'he who diffuses light'. This was a good name for a man who was ruler of the synagogue. His job was to organize the services. He set the agenda of the service; he took care of any physical arrangements and maintenance of the building but also decided on who would be called to read from the law and prophets, who would conduct prayers and who would bring the sermon. The ruler would be a prominent and respected member of the community. The gospel of Mark tells us he was 'one of the rulers', which would be more like a chief elder or group sharing the title of ruler. We'll see later that in Luke (13:14) where the ruler of the synagogue gets angry with Jesus when He heals in the synagogue on the Sabbath.
When we see this man run to Jesus and fall at His feet, we can get a feel for his desperation. This was not the sight of a city dignitary; this was a grieved father who would move any mountain to save his child. He begged Jesus, at his feet, on the ground. This is the same posture as the prostitute and demoniac of the previous chapters. This is a place an d posture of surrender and total submission.
The text reveals this daughter is not just his only daughter but his only child and heir. We don't know what ailed her but from Jairus' actions we can know he was convinced she was dying. This young girl was at the age where she was maturing, she would be married withing another year or two. Her husband may have already been arranged. It's not hard to imagine this girl as the light of life (Jairus is a diffuser of light). But he saw that light dimming, his hope fading. He had probably tried all the doctors, potions, concoctions, home remedies and old family recipes. Yet, nothing had helped. He likely did what we all tend to do. We try everything in our strength and power and when all hope is lost, when there is nothing else to do, then we run to Jesus. And Jesus was waiting, willing and began to follow Jairus home.
Luke 8:42b-44
For Jesus to move, He had to move the crowd. It was like pushing and pulling this mob along. They pressed in on Him and crushed Him. The word 'thronged' creates the picture of choking something as if wrapping something around and constricting it. Every person there wanted something, a favor, a healing, a problem solved; others wanted to associate with this great miracle working. Everyone had heard of His power and wanted to touch him or be touched by Him. I suppose there were many that didn't even know why they pressed in. Was it the 'God imager' part of us that longs to come to Him?
In the midst of the crowd, as needy as anyone, was a woman who had this flow of blood for 12 years. This was a sick and desperate woman. She had spent all of her resources on physicians. Doctor Luke agrees as he writes this, she could not be healed. By the nature of her affliction, she was rendered unclean. This would have kept her form worship. To touch a Rabbi in this unclean state was an offense. She knew she shouldn't. It's not a stretch to see this woman as anemic, emaciated and frail trying to worm through a choking throng, just like everyone else.
What an interesting fact that Luke includes, she had been sick as long as Jairus daughter was old. If I were making a movie, I'd make this woman the mother who was divorced by Jairus because of her uncleanness. The uncleanness was not acceptable in the home of a ruler of the synagogue. Then by the work of Jesus she was not only healed but also her daughter and they were united to live happily ever after as disciples of Christ. Maybe decent fiction, but we are given no such facts. It seems as though we are to link these two lives in a more significant way, but no such link is apparent by the scriptures.
Her story is connected with the little girl as well as the multitude. Is that the point? She also had searched high and low for a cure, a doctor, anything. She had heard all the home remedies and crazy cures. One of the ancient remedies was a glass of wine mixed with rubber alum. Another was garden crocuses or onions. There was no cure, there was no help. It was then she came to Jesus. It's then most of us come, only in desperation and hopelessness. Why is it we are like that?
As the crowd slowly drifted along, away from her. Jesus seemed to be leaving. It was now or never for her. The multitude slowed him down. In the wake of people, she was able to come up behind Jesus. She reached out and touched the hem of His garment which is a violation of the law. Maybe on another day Jairus would have her seized. A pharisee or priest wouldn't stand for such a thing. Matthew records her words to herself, "If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well."
The hem of the garment is a reference to the blue tassels on a garment that symbolized a man's obedience to the law.
Speak to the children of Israel: Tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue thread in the tassels of the corners. 39 And you shall have the tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the Lord and do them, and that you may not follow the harlotry to which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined, 40 and that you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy for your God. (Numbers 15:37-40)
The tassels were the symbol of his ritual purity. For any other man, her touch would have rendered him unclean. For her touch, she was healed. Her uncleanness didn't transfer to Jesus, but His power was transferred to her. Immediately the flow ceased. The knowledge of this private touch & healing would only have been known to her. The words she thought were part of her memory and testimony. This was a woman changed by the healing power of Jesus. We don't know what caused this issue, but we know Jesus gave her new hope and life. Apparently, she told her story either to Luke or to others who gave him her testimony.
Luke 8:45
Imagine that moment when Jesus asked who touched her. Here she was, in the middle of this huge throng of people, Jesus being pressed and shuffled here and there. Suddenly He stops and turns around to find out who was behind Him touching His hem. Peter and the other disciples didn't understand how could ask this question. It almost implies they thought it was silly, but they knew Jesus didn't speak without purpose.
Did Jesus know it was her? Is this evidence that He had set aside His omniscience to walk as a man? The passage of Philippians 2:7 seems to indicate that. It is called the 'kenosis'.
Luke 8:46-48
It was important for Jesus to know who it was, but it was probably just as important for her to know present herself before Jesus. She needed to know the One who healed her. Jesus confirmed that she had been right, when she touched His hem, power went out from Him. What she hadn't counted on was Him knowing that.
In a crowd of hundreds, 'she was not hidden'. It was probably the stunned and guilty look on her face that gave her away. She had not asked permission. He had a right to be angry but He didn't sound like it. She should confess to Him her condition. She stepped back toward Jesus trembling:
- In great fear and repentance after being caught.
- In joy of her healing.
- In thankfulness for being free after 12 years.
- In awe of the Man who possessed such power.
- In reverence for His reputation that drew her to Him.
Did she say she was sorry, thankyou or should she beg for mercy? She had certainly never experienced anything like this and didn't know what was correct. She fell down before Him. She told the truth to the man of truth. It probably all came out in one long sentence, in one breath of words and emotion that was the culmination of 12 years of suffering:
IjustheardyouwereamazingandhealingpeopleandI'vebeensickforsolongIjustknewIjustknewsomehowifItouchedYourhemIwouldbehealedI'vetriedeverythingbutnothingworkedbutnowI'mfineIcan'tbelieveitthankyouthankyouthankyouI'msorry.
I can Imagine the Lord's smile getting larger the longer she spoke. It was praise. It was the depth of her pain and sorrow pouring forth in praise to the Him. What a precious moment for her. She has felt like an outcast so long. In the midst of this great crowd, He called her 'daughter'. What a special moment, in a lifechanging day.
This woman was at the feet of Jesus. Jairus had just been there. A former demoniac had been there. Prostitute had worshiped Him there. Have you been there?
Her faith had made her well. She could have confidence in her faith, it had brought good cheer and that cheer was hers to take with her. What was it about this faith she possessed? It was simple, one might say childlike. It was desperate. It was based on Jesus ability to deliver her need, not on her ability to imagine it. Nothing in her life was a factor, the strength of faith was Jesus. Her faith made her well because she allowed her belief in Jesus to move her, to motivate her to seek Him out and stand before Him.
Jesus bid her to go in peace. It was something she had not known. No more inner turmoil, wondering why, when or how this might be healed. No more strange looks, being judged. She truly was free to experience peace. The fear, sin and sickness were all replaced when the Lord bids us peace.
Luke 8:49-56
Imagine the impatience of Jairus. Every moment with this woman, or anyone else in the crowd was putting his daughter one moment closer to death. He had to be would up tight inside wanting Jesus to move faster. But, as one life was beginning again, another had come to an end. While Jesus was still speaking news arrived that Jairus's daughter had died. Whoever this 'someone' was that brought the news said he didn't need to bring Jesus any longer. It was too late. These words may have been delivered with a hint of disdain; if He'd only been quicker. If He hadn't stopped to heal this woman, after all, she'd been sick for years. Could she not wait another day? The messenger certainly believed there was nothing the 'Teacher' could do.
Someone once described the timing of the Lord as 'always disgustingly on time'. His timing is perfect in every way, but we find it frustrating. It's not the timing we would pick.
Some may have thought it cruel for Jesus to give this father hope; to tell him to believe and she'd be made well. Why prolong the agony and multiply his grief? Jairus came to see if Jesus could prevent the death. He believed Jesus could heal her. He knew Jesus was the final hope, only hope. Did he still believe? It would be so hard. But Jesus encouraged Him. There was no where else to run, no where else to go. There was no other hope by which she could be saved.
It is in the presence of Jesus we can bring our weak and damaged faith. It feels so fragile and light, as if it might blow away before we can bring it to stand before Him. You can't carry it in your hand but in your heart. There seems to be no way to secure it. It's this way and then that. It's like a balancing act to keep it centered, using caution so it doesn't slide away. It's small, like a mustard seed but in His presence, it is enough.
When Jesus, the disciples and the multitude arrived at the home of Jairus, they walked into a dark and solemn atmosphere where death reigned. Death is the victory of sin over the creation of God. As we are heartbroken over death, Jesus was so much more so in His perfect love and compassion. He must have been moved by the grief and fear of Jairus, his faith nearly washed away in tears.
Jesus kept everyone outside but the inner circle of disciples with the father and mother. Those in the house that were mourning knew death. The professional mourners would be there along with those playing the music of a funeral dirge. When Jesus declared her 'sleeping' they must have thought He was crazy. Did the many not know what death looked like? With everyone gone, Jesus spoke words that left this world. He called to her and commanded her to arise. She returned from the abode of the dead and immediately arose. While her spirit returned, her body must have still been weak and sickly. Jesus asked that she be given something to eat.
Jairus and his wife were astounded. The word means to be amazed to the point of nearly losing your mental composure. Like the woman that had been healed; they were reverent, thankful, fearful, amazed, confused, and the list must have went on for days. It would take some time to percolate all that through their mind.
They were charged with telling no one. How did you do that when you wanted to shout joy and praise and thankfulness from every mountaintop. To the friends and family and mourners of the town, what would they say? That she was merely sleeping? They knew the girl was dead. But news like this would make it nearly impossible for Jesus to move around. He was controlling the timing, the pace of His trip toward the cross.
What do you suppose happened to this woman? Did she continue to walk with Jesus? Did she go to Jairus house? Did she hear about that young girl passing? Was she there when suddenly this young girl appeared alive and well? While others would have wondered, she would have known it was Jesus. She knew His power.
As with others who had encountered Jesus, I wonder where these folks were when they heard of the crucifixion and then the resurrection. This 12-year-old would not have been surprised at all to hear that Jesus had power over death.
Our grown-up faith uses our human logic and reasoning to analyze what can and cannot be done. We limit our faith to only what circumstances allow. We determine nothing can be done. We determine the outcome is set and we have to deal with it. We put so many boundaries around our faith its as though we forgot how to find God
A little girl was frustrated because she couldn't go to the park and play. "Why not? It's a pretty day and she wanted to see her friends." Her dad attempted to explain the virus and why it was important to stay home. "Daddy, can't you go fix it?" Dad said, "I can't, but why don't you ask God to fix it." She thought about it for a moment. She turned to leave but then stopped and turned to her father, "Do you know the address of God?"
But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deuteronomy 4:29)
And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)
6For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You
In a time when You may be found; (Psalm 32:6)
So that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; (Acts 17:27)
17I love those who love me,
And those who seek me diligently will find me. (Proverbs 8:17)
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Note: Chuck Misler considered the woman with the issue of blood to be a gentile. He saw that Jesus' mission to save this Jewish woman is interrupted to save this gentile woman who grasped His hem, the mark of His authority and identity. If so, this appears to be a type & shadow of the gospel going to the Jews after the age of the church.
©2020 Doug Ford
[1] Michael P. Green. (2000). 1500 illustrations for biblical preaching (p. 256). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
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