Scripture reading – Luke 8
Luke 8
Our study of the Gospels continues, and you will notice parallel accounts of events in today’s Scripture. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the “Synoptic Gospels.” Synoptic suggests the same or similar; thus, the “synoptic gospels” record the same events, albeit from each human author’s perspective. Together, Matthew, Mark, and Luke give us a greater depth and broader perspective on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Also, remember that many events recorded in the Synoptic Gospels are not necessarily in chronological order.
The Breadth and Support of Christ’s Ministry (Luke 8:1-3)
Luke gives us a record of the extent of Christ’s ministry, for we read that “He went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings [i.e., the Gospel] of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him” (Luke 8:1). What were the “glad tidings” that Jesus preached? It was to call Israel to repent of her sins and turn back to the LORD and be saved (Matthew 4:17; Luke 5:32; 13:3, 5).
Accompanying Christ and His disciples were several women who had benefited from His ministry and were “healed of evil spirits and infirmities” (Luke 8:2). Among the women who ministered to Christ was “Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, 3And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward [manager of a household], and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance” (Luke 8:3). Following the Old Testament model of supporting those who ministered to the people, those women gave out “of their substance” what was needed.
Jesus Taught the People in Parables (Luke 8:5-16)
As we have seen, Parables are the vehicle or conduit through which Jesus taught and ministered to the people. A parable is a brief narrative that draws upon familiar objects or everyday occurrences. Through them, we learn spiritual truths.
The Parable of the Sower and Soil, which we studied in Matthew 13, is recorded in Luke 8:5-15 and Mark 4:3-20. Luke 8:16-18 and Mark 4:21-25 record the Parable of the Candlelight (i.e., the candlestick).
The “Parable of the Candlelight” expands upon the “Parable of the Sower and the Soils” and makes a simple observation that no one lights a candle and conceals its light (Luke 8:16). Instead, the lighted candle is placed prominently in a room that others “which enter in may see the light” (Luke 8:16).
What did the light of the candle symbolize? The light of the Truth of which every sincere believer is to be the bearer. Jesus taught His followers, “Ye are the light of the world…16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:5).
Parallel Records of the Synoptic Gospels (Luke 8:19-48
You will recognize several events recorded by Luke have been considered in prior Bible studies. In Luke 8:19-21, Luke chronicled the time Jesus’s mother, Mary, and his siblings came seeking Him as He ministered (Matthew 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-36). The storm on the Sea of Galilee and Jesus casting devils out of men living in the Gadarenes are repeated (Luke 8:22-39; Mark 4:35-5:20; Matthew 8:23-34).
We also find recorded the raising of the daughter of Jairus from the dead (Luke 8:41-42, 49-56; Matthew 9:18-19, 23-26), and the woman with an issue of blood who was healed for she believed if she could touch the hem of Christ’s robe, she would be made whole (Luke 8:43-48; Mark 5:25-34; Matthew 9:20-22).
Closing thoughts – The Truth and Nothing but the Truth (Luke 8:17)
Notice the truth stated in Luke 8:17, where we read: “For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.”
I have learned that nothing is hidden from God, and the truth eventually comes to light despite efforts to conceal it. Lying and deceit have become so common among leaders that they appear immune from consequences. Tragically, the lies told today are believed tomorrow. An adage attributed to Joseph Goebbels, Adolf Hitler’s Propaganda Minister, states, “Tell a lie big enough and keep repeating, and people will eventually believe it.”
By contrast, Christ assured His followers that there is no secret hidden from God. Eventually, the truth will be manifest, and lies will be exposed (Matthew 10:26). Truth has become a rare, precious commodity not only in society but in churches. Solomon issued a warning we would be wise to heed:
“For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:14)
You’ve been warned!
Copyright © 2024 – Travis D. Smith
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