LUKE 8:40-56 MAN'S RESPONSIBILITY - GOD'S SOVEREIGNITY The response of the people in Galilee was very different from that in the country of the Gadarenes. There He was rejected, His word was rejected even though the power of His word was easily seen and heard as the man, liberated from the power of demons continued to tell what "great things God had done unto him." We may not see any results ourselves for the effort put forth to further the Gospel, but a Sovereign God is not limited to us. He can use whoever He chooses to bring fruit from seed sown long after we are gone. The Galileans were waiting for His return and gladly received Him. Later in Jerusalem, "They that gladly received His word were baptized." To receive what He says in His word, is to receive Him. To reject His word is to reject Him.
Faith has more than one way of expressing itself. Jairus, the leader of the synagogue, certainly showed respect for the Lord Jesus Christ as he bowed to the ground before the Lord. For a leader of the people to show such reverence before the crowd of people would have indicated to the whole company of people this leader believed in Jesus. It was no doubt the hopelessness of his personal situation with a dying, "only child" at home, that prompted this act of faith. In the sovereignty of God, He allows urgent events to come into our lives to bring out latent faith into the forefront of our lives. Jairus had his own preconceived idea as to how faith worked and so urged the Lord Jesus to come to his home to either touch his daughter or say something they could all hear.
The centurion who came to Jesus asked Him if He was willing to heal his servant. He knew the Lord could heal him, and he knew He could do it with His word. His faith was stronger in any than any in Israel. The power of a sovereign Lord was not lost in any way to the understanding of the centurion. However, regardless of how great or how little faith in Christ is, He responds to it. "Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Whether one is anxious and concerned or one is able to confidently rest in God's sovereignty will does not hinder the operation of the grace of God.
Twelve years earlier a baby girl came into Jairus, the ruler's home, and probably brought joy and gratitude to that man and his wife. She was the only child they had and doubtless much of their life together, their decision making and activities as a family centered around that only child. Around that same time a woman had to leave the shelter of a normal life and for twelve years was ostracized because of serious health problem no one could help her with. She was outcast socially and religiously because of this problem. Her hemorrhaging sickness had impoverished her when she spent all her money on doctors who could not help her. Twelve years of joy in one case and twelve years of misery in the other. In a sovereign act of God these two cases of need, both now dying, one quickly and one slowly met together, though unknown to each other, at the feet of Jesus. A bleeding woman and a pleading man both needed the Savior, both had varying evidences of faith, and both acted in faith, though in different ways.
Secretly grasping a tassel on the garment of the Lord Jesus, a superstitious woman acted in desperate faith. Seeking to hurry the Lord along the road to his home to heal his daughter, Jairus acted in anxious faith. How gracious, kind and tender are the words of the Lord Jesus Christ when He responds to each one appropriately to the situation. When healing virtue had blessed the woman and healed her immediately, her public confession would assure all around who heard her words that she was no longer an outcast.
The Lord Jesus comforted her anxiety and for the first time in twelve years she could find relief and joy. His words to her after her healing gave her confidence she could live with. Confession with the mouth is important when one puts their faith in Christ for salvation. Verbal testimony has benefit to those around who may be skeptical of who Christ is and what He has done for us. Faith needs to be expressed. When the Lord raised the dead child to life, the positive comment to give her food to eat would have made the parents act in faith on her behalf. When the child resumed normal life again the Lord did not need to rely on the testimony of the parents to identify Him as the Sovereign Lord. For three years those living in that area had ample opportunity to act responsibly by putting their faith in Him. By now everyone in that area had come to a conclusion about the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a time for people to hear the word of the Lord and there is a time to act upon it. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Real faith doesn't need constant reaffirmation when it is placed in the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. There is a time to sow and a time to reap. Not only those in distant places like Gadara are Christ rejectors.
When the evidence is there for all to see and right words have already been spoken, Any further sign is unnecessary, the works of Christ are not just a token Of grace given that is obvious for all sincere people to see. Faith is there waiting there to be used, not as a charm, but experientially.
The amount of faith isn't what's the key to grace, but who that faith is in. To not believe in Christ who is the Object of faith, is for unbelievers a soul-damning sin. The evidence of His Person, the knowledge of His work is on the pages of scripture to read. When the truth of the scripture reveals Him to the seeker, He is all that person needs.
Without faith in the Lord, there is nothing anyone can do that ever can please our God. Faith in Him comes when one is willing to believe what is written in His word. The Holy Spirit reveals the Person and the saving work of the Savior. True faith in Him is not hard to detect, there is a change in mind and behavior.
A man of old was out of his mind, controlled by the powers of darkness. The demons that manipulate the spirit of a man are powerless when in faith one harkens. When the voice of the Lord that is stronger than death sounds in the ears of a seeker. Power over sin, the world, and devil is evident, and the nature of the man is meeker.
When one seems abandoned, alone and forsaken, faith still has a work to do. The hopelessness that had taken control, gives way when the Lord speaks to you. His words of comfort, of freedom and forgiveness changes everything in a moment of time. Even though faith is only a small seed, it has power to completely change one's mind.
When that takes place there is reality that shows and God is truly pleased. One who has lived in doubt and sin, now the power of faith has seized. This results in blessings seen and unseen, the Sovereign God takes our case - And by reason of His love for the sinner, showers him with the blessings of grace.
"Gracious God, my Father, with a sense of anticipation as to what this day will bring, I place myself in faith upon Thee and Thy sovereign will. May any words spoken be with grace seasoned with salt. May any activities be done in faith knowing Thou knowest the end from the beginning. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."
LUKE 9: THE MIGHTY POWER OF GOD: There are many ways we can know and see the power of God: creation power, natural power of wind, waves and sun. But “all power” in heaven and in earth is given to the Lord Jesus Christ. This confirms His interest in the kingdom.
v.1-9. THE TRAINING OF THE TWELVE: He called; He gave power and authority to His disciples; He sent them to preach; He said unto them – spoke and gave directions.
- v.1-2. The Lord does not ask us to do what we cannot do; He empowers us. They did what they saw Him do. He holds us accountable to obey Him – preach and heal.
- v.3. “Take nothing..” Depend on God alone.
- v.4-6. Stay there.. we leave impressions in many ways. We learn from Him what to do; how to act toward people; accountability to Him.
- v.7-9. Herod hears three opinions. His guilt is troublesome; he is fearful; he is a terror to himself because he has a guilty conscience. v.10-17. HE CONFIRMS HIS DIVINE POWER: 5000+ people are fed.
- The disciples give a full report of what they did.
- There are times when we need breathing space.
- v.11. The people are drawn to Him. He kindly receives them. He instructs them. He heals and feeds them.
- v.12. The 12 are concerned for the people. They have great love but weak faith.
- When we are asked to do what we can’t, it is to make us aware of our need of God and to learn to depend on Him.
- v.13. Simple fare is sufficient as to quality. The quantity goes beyond our comprehension.
- v.14-15. They obeyed His command to sit down orderly and in a way that expresses their expectation. This is hard to do when we don’t see or understand what is going to happen.
- v.16-17. He gave thanks, showing an act of faith. He broke the bread rather than multiply the loaves. We can expect His blessings in distributing rather than reserving what we have. Scattering is the way to increase; liberality is the way to riches.
- He gave to the disciples so the people would learn that God uses people in doing His work.
- They were all filled, not just satisfied.
- It was a miracle that there was food; it was also a miracle that so much was left. v.18-27. HE CONFIRMS HIS DIVINE AUTHORITY: The Confession.
- V.18. He is going to firmly establish in the mind of His own, who He is.
- V.19. There are many opinions about Christ.
- V.20. Peter speaks for them all. Even though He was veiled as a human, they knew Him to be truly the Christ of God.
- V.21-22. He lets them know what to expect as He prepares them ahead of time.
- V.23. He offers the choices of being a Christian: the terms are self-denial; suffering for the Gospel; serving in the Gospel; Christ must be supreme in our lives; cross-bearing is a daily occurrence; following Christ is not hit-and-miss; life is laid down for His service – fear and shame cause a holding back. v.27-36. HE CONFIRMS HIS DIVINE NATURE: Transfiguration.
- The disciples saw evidence of His glory/majesty.
- Three witnesses were there to see as to what to expect in the future.
- They are going to be witnesses of His death and resurrection – here they witness His glory.
- Moses was the law-giver; Elias, the chief of the prophets.
- This is a glimpse of heaven. God’s testimony to men. v.37-45. HE CONFIRMS HIS SUPERIORITY: casting out unclean spirits.
- Satan delights to hurt the body.
- Need will make a person humble and eloquent.
- Do not take God’s power for granted nor be careless about it.
- He tells again of His approaching passion – more frequently. v.46-56. HE CONFIRMS HIS LEADERSHIP OVER MEN: leadership teaching…
- Who do I really care for?
- What do others do that hurts my pride?
- How do I handle rejection?
- What makes me want to retaliate? v.57-62. HE CONFIRMS HIS LORDSHIP: Words are not all that is involved in commitment. Lordship gives priority to the Lord in everything.
FOUR WAYS TO HINDER SERVICE: 28-48. V.33. SPEECH WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE: be sure of what we say in relation to God’s things. Peter was putting spiritual and heavenly things on a worldly, earthly level. v.40. ACTION WITHOUT POWER: the disciples thought they could do God’s work without God. If I don’t know what is right, wait. v.46. SELF-EXALTATION: we lose the spirit of love by a private sin. v.49. A DIVISIVE SPIRIT: one who builds on opinions, will cause divisions.