Written ~ 03-12-2024
Read Luke Chapter Eight
Luke 8
In this chapter Luke starts out by telling us about some of the women who are followers of Jesus.
Verses 8:1b-3,
1b “…He took his twelve disciples with Him, 2 along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons; 3 Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.”
The one name listed here is the most well-known, Mary Magdalene, following Jesus probably was not a difficult decision after He released her from a life filled with fear, shame and despair, seven demons were cast from her… what a transformation this woman had when she encountered Jesus.
Joanna’s name is only mentioned in the Book of Luke, here in this passage and again at the empty tomb in Luke 24 and more than likely she was present at Christ’s crucifixion (Luke 23:49, 55). Except for the fact she was the wife of Chuza, who was Herod’s household manager, we don’t know anything else about her. But her devotion was quite clear, we don’t know if she was healed from a specific ailment, but what we do know… she encountered Jesus.
Susanna is only mentioned here, we know absolutely nothing more about this woman, but her importance to the ministry of Jesus must have been noteworthy since here name is placed here in Scripture as one of the followers of Jesus. Though we don’t know much about her, what do we know? She encountered Jesus.
These three women along with many others not mentioned by name were devout followers of Jesus, it says in verse 8:3 that these women “…contributed from their own resources to support Jesus and His disciples…” From what I have read, it was not common in those days to have women be apart of a ministry, Jesus was breaking boundaries set by old traditions.
Only three verses are set aside as recognition for the contribution these women made to the ministry of Jesus, some of the names are scattered throughout the New Testament, but here Luke has us pause for a moment, to bring them to the forefront and give them credit for working very hard to make sure Jesus and the disciples had everything they needed to continue in their ministry.
Let’s continue…
The next portion of Luke 8 is the parable about a farmer scattering seed. The parable and it’s meaning are found in verses 8:4-15, let’s go ahead and read over the parable in verses 8:4-8 now…
4 One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear Him: 5 “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. 6 Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” When He had said this, He called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
Many of us may recognize the point Jesus is trying to get across, but if not, you are in good company because even the disciples had to ask Jesus what this parable meant…
See verses 8:9-10,
9 His disciples asked Him what this parable meant. 10 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled:
‘When they look, they won’t really see.
When they hear, they won’t understand.’
What’s important to note, when Jesus spoke in parables like this, there would be many people in the crowds that would never know the meaning to these parables. Their eyes and ears were not open to the truths Jesus spoke about. Even today there may be many who read through the New Testament and don’t comprehend a lot of what Jesus talked about, but luckily we have the disciples who asked questions for us so we can have a better understanding as well.
Verses 8:11-15 is the answer to the disciples inquiry… “What does this parable mean?”
11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. 12 The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. 13 The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. 14 The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. 15 And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.
Pretty clear explanation wouldn’t you say? What I think we should do now is look at this explanation and find where we fit within these verses… each of us have different experiences when we encountered Jesus for the very first time and we all have different levels of understanding when reading and studying the Word of God… so, let’s see where that encounter with Jesus has brought you today…
- The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, but… (8:12)
- The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message, but… (8:13
- The seeds that fell among thorns represent those who hear the message, but… (8:14
- The seeds that fell on the good soil represent those who hear the message, and… (8:15)
When you read those four descriptions where do you find yourself? Let’s push on…
Verse 8:12, #1 You have heard God’s Word, maybe while attending a church service or you have heard a pastor speak on TV or the radio, and the message was intriguing, but the devil quickly came in and removed that intrigue, he removed the desire to learn more. You have heard the message, but the seed of God’s Word has been scattered on a footpath where it was easily trampled and caused your heart to become hardened to the truth. Because of a lack of desire to learn more from God’s Word, the devil is preventing you from believing and therefore, preventing you from being saved.
Verse 8:13, #2 You have heard God’s Word and the message of Salvation was exciting and you were filled with joy when you heard everything Jesus had done for you, you might have attended church and Bible Study for a while, but you didn’t pursue a deeper relationship with the Lord. You heard the message but the roots of that initial excitement have now shriveled up and died. Because those roots of Salvation did not have a chance to grow but instead got caught up in the hardships and temptations life can throw at you, the seeds of God’s Word dried up and withered away.
Verse 8:14, #3 You have heard God’s Word, but all too quickly the pleasures of this world crowd out the desire to learn more about the Lord. “The cares and riches and pleasures of this life” have turned your eyes from the things of the Lord and your “pursuit of happiness” has you seeking approval from anything or anyone besides the Word of God and the Salvation Jesus Christ longs to give. Because of your desire to gain recognition and love by means of the world’s standards and not the Lord’s, your maturity in knowing the Word of God and the desire to strengthen your walk with the Lord has been completely swallowed up by the cares of this world. You may have become tough skinned and walking through life among thorns has numbed you and now, it does not allow you to feel the pain of your choices or allow you to see the great need you have for Jesus in your life.
Verse 8:15, #4 You have heard God’s Word and the seeds of its message have been planted deep within your heart, mind and soul. Salvation has taken root. The seeds of the Gospel message have begun to spout, growth is evident, good fruit is being produced. Your desire to study the Word of God is unquenchable, your relationship with the Lord is cemented in belief, faith, trust and love. You cling to every word that is spoken through God’s Word. You can’t get enough. You share your Salvation experience with others in order to plant seeds of Salvation in their hearts. You are on fire! And no trampled footpath, rocky soil or thorny conditions will take your eyes off of the Lord and the study of His Word.
So where does the seed of God’s Word fall in your life today? If your answer falls anywhere other than the explanation given in verse 15, it should give you a very clear indication that you need an incredible encounter with Jesus, just like the women we read about in verses 8:1-3. Jesus is calling out for “…anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand…” Don’t allow the enemy, the things of this world, trials and disillusionment cloud your eyes to seeing the truth found only in the Word of God.
Allow the seeds of God’s Word to bloom and flourish!
~AMEN~