Luke Chapter 8
Several topics in this chapter tie back in to the devotion I wrote for the previous chapter in Luke.
Jesus is acknowledged to have healed several people in the beginning of the chapter. Then later, Jesus again heals someone, but involuntarily it seems. This is a very cool moment in my opinion.
45“Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”
46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”
Without even directing it, power left him and healed a woman. That is amazingly cool. Then he raises someone else from the dead, this time a 12 year old girl. Oh, and he also calmed a storm on the sea on his way over to this area. I want to follow that guy!
I also said last time that if you know anyone who doesn’t know the Gospel message, then bring it! In this chapter it is recorded that Jesus traveled about from town to town proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.
This is what we should be doing as well, not necessarily traveling from town to town (though some are called to do that), but spreading the word nevertheless. Verse 16 says, “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.” Why would anyone keep this good news to themselves?? Actually there are quite a few good reasons we come up with, aren’t there? Too intimidating. Not knowledgeable enough. Don’t want to offend. Don’t want to risk losing a friendship. Just don’t know how or what to say. Those all seem like good reasons. They’re not.
No reason is good enough to not share the wonderful hope that we have in the future kingdom, in everlasting life, and in being in the presence of our amazing King, Jesus Christ. Please don’t withhold this life-changing news when you have an opportunity to share it. I firmly believe that if you open yourself up to sharing it, God will provide the words for you. Don’t believe me? Try it!
And don’t be too discouraged if the news you shared doesn’t take root. Jesus warns us in the Parable of the Sower that there are many obstacles in this world that may prevent the word from taking root and fully changing someone. But don’t let that stop you. You never know when it WILL take root. How wonderful and marvelous to think that something that you shared with someone could make THE difference in that person taking a path that leads to everlasting life. Sometimes you may never even know that you made that difference until you are in the Kingdom.
Happy farming!
Greg Landry
SeekGrowLove.com 