Luke 8
Scripture
Luke 8:14-15
Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.
Observation-What does it say?
There are several examples of Jesus teaching in parables throughout the gospels. Parables were effective teaching tools because they were easy to remember and used familiar scenes. The scenes were often the places of employment of the audience: i.e. farmers, shepherds and wine makers. Some of the parables had hidden meanings, which would prompt the sincere of heart to inquire further to God’s truth. This particular parable is one of three that are found in the synoptic gospels, the others being the parable of the mustard seed and the parable of the vineyard.
Often, Jesus gave an explanation of the parables only to those closest to him: his apostles and disciples. Here, after hearing the parable they questioned the meaning and he told them directly. Each type of soil represents the status of the hearts of those hearing God’s good news. The seed never changes, but the result of the sowing does based on the condition of the soil
Understanding-What does it mean?
One of my all time favorite movies is “A River Runs Through It.” Based on a book of short stories by the author, Norman Maclean, and chronicles his life as a fly fisher in Montana during the early part of the twentieth century. During the movie, the brother of Norman’s love interest comes to town from California. It is clear the brother has made a series of poor choices in life and is in need of some help. Prompted by his love interest and her family, Norman takes the brother fishing. However the brother arrives drunk and with an unsavory lady friend. At the culmination of the fishing trip, the brother ends up with a severely sun-burnt body, from head to toe, which causes some bad blood between Norman and his love. Ultimately, his love comes to the realization that it wasn’t Norman’s fault for the problems her brother has and comments, “How come the people who need the most help won’t take it?”
God’s gift of eternal life, like the gift of companionship and fishing, is a free gift and only needs to be grasped by those in need of it. But, despite the widespread availability of it, there are those who are unwilling to come to the freedom found through Jesus. The world around us though, affects our ability to find our way to Him. We are bombarded with messages of an easy life through materialism and tempted with ways to make us feel better through things other than him. Jesus advises us to seek him and tells it will be harder to be the good soil we want to be. ““Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”(Matthew 7:13-14)
Life Application
Jesus, help me to be a guide for those looking for the narrow path. Give me ways to help prepare the soil of those who hear your word, so they can bear fruit with repentance. Also, help me to readily accept the times when I need to be tilled and plowed in order to bear more fruit.
-Tyler Galloway
Luke 6
Scripture
Luke 6: 27-28
But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Observation
After Jesus states the beatitudes He then preaches the greatest commandment of all to everyone listening. Although this command is perhaps the simplest lessons that He consistently teaches, He emphasizes it once again showing it’s vast importance.
Understanding
“But the greatest of these…”
It is really easy to love those who love us, especially when in public and in private BUT Jesus really ups the stakes here. A few things I find important about this passage. He stresses the importance of loving those who don’t necessarily like us. He doesn’t just say to be cordial and nice to their face only to be mean behind their back, he says to love them, do good to them, bless them, and even pray for them! Which seems totally outrageous! Loving ourselves is hard enough sometimes, let alone loving others and especially those who hate you. And not just in private Jesus says too, but in public to their face and for all the world to hear!
ALSO He again stresses that the greatest of these is love. Not popularity, not money, not fame, not works, The greatest of these is to L.O.V.E. We tend to give ourselves a free pass in judging people because we are only “holding the them to a standard.” While I don’t think this is completely wrong we have to check our heart-attitude. It is to harm them and not to prosper them then obviously we need to check what “love “ means.
Life Application
The love of God is great because it has a response, it chases down those who we would otherwise define as unwanted. The practicality of this verse and ones like it is simple to simply be Jesus’ hands and feet and love well. So go and love on someone today, and not just anyone someone you struggle to get along with or people that society has deemed as “unwanted.” What the world needs now is love (great song by the way!) and we have a lot to give away!
-Allison Khan
Luke 7 - 6.17.21
Scripture - What stood out?
Luke 7:38
and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.
Observation - What does it say?
Jesus had entered the city of Capernaum. Invited by a pharisee to dinner Jesus was reclining at a table in this pharisee’s house when a “woman of the city, who was a sinner” as it is phrased in the ESV bible approaches Jesus with alabaster ointment.
Understanding - What does it mean?
She wet his feet with her tears - When was the last time I brought my sins to the foot of the cross?
She wiped them with her own hair - Did I repent of my sins?
She kissed his feet - Was I filled with adoration and appreciation?
She anointed his feet with alabaster ointment - Which of my treasures did I give Jesus in return?
It is in this story I believe God is revealing to me the correct attitude and correct heart of a sinner before Christ. Jesus later on in the chapter compares her actions to the actions of Simon the pharisee, showing us the stark contrast between a person whose heart truly seeks redemption and somebody who does not. I can almost picture the confused look on the pharisee’s face as Jesus states this and then hits him with “But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
For somebody who has done no wrong, love would definitely be in short supply.
Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?
I happened to come upon this story Lord as I am preparing to enter a deeply reflective moment of my life.
My desire is not to love You little. My desire is to love You more. Reveal to me the areas of my life where I need to repent. Give me the ability to lay them at your feet. Holy Spirit show me how to love my Lord, my Savior. And may You reveal a gift I can offer my Lord that cost me greatly.
In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.
-kenneth lee