Luke 8
by Pastor David Groendyk

Today’s chapter could be neatly broken down into two halves: Jesus teaches parables (vv. 1–21) and Jesus performs miracles (vv. 22–56). The two parables in the first half of this chapter are instructive for us in how to understand every other parable in the Gospels. The parable of the sower shows that the Word of God, when it goes out and is preached, is always coming into conflict with the world and with our sin. Some close themselves off to hearing the Word, allowing the devil to snatch it up without ever sinking into the heart; some believe for a time, but then are afraid when persecution and trials come; some believe for a time, but then earthly worries, riches, and pleasures overtake the Word in their hearts (vv. 11–14). Jesus then explains that all of his parables will have one of two effects on the listener: either they will understand it and learn more about God’s kingdom, or they will be confused and not get it and become even more hardened to the Word. Parables illuminate the gospel for those who are saved, and they hide the gospel for those who are not saved (v. 10). This is further confirmed by the parable of the lamp (vv. 16–18). The one who has knowledge already, who does not secretly hide from others the gospel they’ve heard, will be given even more understanding through Jesus’ teachings and their salvation will be made public on the last day. But the one who does not listen to the Word carefully will lose everything that he has ever heard about it. What is the upshot of these parables then? Take care how you listen to God’s Word (v. 18). Do not let earthly concerns choke out the gospel message. Do not let worldly wisdom beat out the topsy-turvy wisdom of God’s Word. The message we hear from Jesus is the words of eternal life. Hold fast to these words with endurance and perseverance through all of your trials and temptations, and you will receive the full reward of the kingdom someday.

Jesus then performs four incredible miracles: he calms a storm by speaking to it, he casts a legion of demons out of a man, he heals a woman of an incurable bloody discharge, and he raises a little girl from the dead. To paraphrase from the ESV Study Bible, this whole section answers the question, “Who then is this?” (v. 25) by showing how Jesus is the Lord of nature, demons, disease, and death. These miracles all confirm that Jesus is the true Son of God who is fully endowed with the power of the Holy Spirit to do things that only God could do. However, while these mighty acts grab our attention, Scripture doesn’t want us to focus solely on the miracles. Sprinkled throughout this miracle section are references to “your faith” (v. 25), “declare” (v. 28), “proclaiming” (v. 28), “your faith” (v. 48), and “believe” (v. 50). Jesus’ primary ministry is a word-based ministry. The mighty acts are important, but they’re not the main event. Jesus’ preaching is what’s meant to take center stage. Even looking forward a few verses in chapter 9, notice the couplings of “proclaim…heal” (v. 2), “preaching…healing” (v. 6), “spoke…cured” (v. 11). Miracles are never performed without Jesus’ explicit preaching about the gospel and the kingdom of God. According to God’s Word, spiritual salvation is our most pressing need, not physical healing. The three healed persons all died eventually, and the sea had many more storms, but full and final restoration only comes to those who receive God’s Word and dwell with God forever in the new heaven and the new earth. Jesus’ Lordship over nature, demons, disease, and death should give us hope for anything being possible in this life, but it should also whet our appetite for that last day when we will see his glory and majesty in full.