A Study in the Gospel of Luke

vv 1-15 Jesus now began a preaching tour away from towns and synagogues. It was the time of His greatest popularity. Luke records those who went with Him. Unlike Pharisees, there were women in Jesus' fellowship and service. Joanna appears again in 24.10 and may have been connected with the nobleman of John 4.46-52. No more is heard of Susanna. There is no evidence that Mary of Magdala had an immoral past. There is a place in the church for all types 'to support the Lord and His people'. Comparison between the 3 synoptic gospels is always interesting.

The Parable of the Sower (Matt. 13; Mark 4). Why did Jesus tell parables? What made Jesus tell this story at that moment? Was He near a field being sown or was it being ploughed following sowing as was the custom? Had he been asked a question? Was the only interpretation of the parable about different responses by various groups of people to God's Word? Do we each have the qualities represented in all 4 soils at some time? What does the parable teach about the responsibilities and privileges of Jesus' disciples? Is the Word bearing fruit in our lives? v.10

Mystery (musterion) makes a very interesting study "not the mysterious but … made known only by Divine revelation" Vine (1). Paul uses it a number of times e.g. 1 Cor. 13.2; 15.51; Eph. 1.9 Phil. 4.12 Col. 1.26;

vv 16-25 Luke's record has a logical order rather than chronological. vv.16,17 show that the committed Christian has no place to hide. What is the light that shines and where does it come from? Does 2 Cor. 3 help? Those who make the most of what they have spiritually, readily recognize further blessings of Jesus' fellowship; those who fail to appreciate Him lose the privileges already given.

vv 19-21 give a glimpse of His family; there is no evidence to show that His brothers were not Mary's children. They were not allowed to distract Him from doing God's will. Were the disciples closer than Mary?

vv 22-25 Luke record of the storm is brief and vivid. Jesus was tired and He trusted His disciples. Did they trust Him - enough? The lake was 200 metres below sea level; rivers had cut deep ravines between surrounding hills through which wind funnelled causing sudden squalls. Why did Jesus 'rebuke' the waves? The suddenness of calm was a shock to the fishermen. Does He calm our storms of temptation, passion and sorrow?

vv 26-39 Scholars are uncertain where the incident with 'Legion' occurred. Were they 'Gergesenes', 'Gerasenes' or 'Gadarenes'. Gadara was 40 miles away (cynics find the idea of pigs running 40 miles amusing) but the modern village Khersa with its tombs bears witness that this took place close to the lake. A Roman legion was 6000 soldiers. Much has been written about Jesus killing pigs. His Father rules Creation in love and what he wills is right. Perhaps we should revise our ideas of what is 'right', 'good' and 'loving'? Did the spirits drown the pigs? Where did spirits go? Local Gentiles rebuffed Jesus but He had courage to do what they failed to do. Were they afraid like so many in the presence of real holiness and authority? Or did they feel guilty? Jesus changes people and things, a reason for His unpopularity then and now. The healed man found his senses, freedom, rest, social life and a vocation in preaching.

vv. 40-56 Jesus was brave facing worldly attitudes. Jairus defied the attitude of synagogue leaders; the woman defied the crowd's scorn. How was the woman's touch different? She would be despised, solitary and very poor. By bringing the healing into the open Jesus dispelled stigma (note Lev. 15) and the woman's faith was strengthened.

Jesus was concerned that Jairus' daughter didn't suffer gaping onlookers and He encouraged parental care. 'Talitha cumi' is so similar to Peter's words in Acts 9.40. How could the parents avoid telling others? Jesus doesn't label people, he meets their need where they are.