Luke

By Joyce Webb 2020

Chapter 8     Vs. 16-25

Verse 16 Jesus tells “parables”—stories with a spiritual meaning.

No man—puts a lighted candle under a basket or bowl—or under the bed—- that would hide the light. The reason for the candle is to light up the room.

So the man puts it on a stand or a candle holder —up high—so the light can go farther.

Luke does not go on to explain this the same way as Matthew.

In Matthew 5:16—Jesus said, so we (believers) are a spiritual light to the world.

We are not to hide our light—we are not to hide that we are a Christian believer—but we are to show others and to speak —so others know we are believers—and the spiritual light that we have can show others the way to Jesus and salvation.

Vs. 17 Jesus tells the people—everything that is hidden or secret—-will be brought to the light and will be seen.

Vs.18 Give attention to what you hear and to what I am teaching.

The person who listens carefully and learns –will be given more understanding.

The person who will not listen —or will not accept what I teach—they will lose even what little understanding they have now.

Vs. 19 His mother and his brothers came to see Jesus, but they could not get near him because of all the people.

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Matthew 13: 55 names 4 brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, Judas and sisters.

We know that—at first— his brothers did not believe he was the Son of God. See John 7:5.

Later, James and Judas believed in him because they wrote letters–which are now books in the New Testament. Judas is Jude in the New Testament.

The Bible does not say if Simon and Joseph became believers. We do not know if his sisters became believers.

We would think that they knew about how Jesus became born and all the story about that—-we would think that Mary told them.

In Acts 1:14 It says “they all continued in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several women, and his brethren.”

So it seems that after Jesus came to life again after being dead 3 days and nights—they believe he was the Son of God.

They saw him for 40 days —–until Jesus went up into the clouds. So they had time to see scars in his hands and feet and side. They heard from the disciples —– how Jesus could go through walls and appear in a room.

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Vs. 20.21 Someone told Jesus that his mother and brothers were trying to see him. (They meant his real family of brothers and sisters.)

Jesus said, Who are my mother and brothers? They are the ones who hear the word of God and obey it.

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Some churches read this verse and say—see—Jesus did not have real brothers or sisters. Anyone who believes in him is a brother or sister.

They say he was the only child of Mary.

In Matthew—it tells how the people of Jesus’ village knew Jesus’ brothers and sisters. They were real family brothers and sisters.

Jesus did not mean that he did not have real brothers and sisters. That is not what Jesus meant here.

Here Jesus is preaching to the people about hearing God’s word and hearing what he—God’s Son—is telling them—and if they believe and obey—they will be part of God’s family. They will be “brothers and sisters” of Jesus.

This is why in some churches they call each other “Brother” so and so, or “Sister” so and so. Using their last names with brother or sister. They are not real brothers and sisters, but are part of the family of God.

At this time in Jesus’ life—he is not as concerned about his mother and brothers and he is with reaching people with God’s word and having them become the family of God.

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Vs. 22-25 Jesus and his disciples got into a boat to cross over the lake.

A storm came up and the boat began to fill with water. In Matthew—he says that Jesus was asleep in the boat. Matthew 8:23

The men became afraid the boat would sink. They woke Jesus, and said to him—Master, we are in danger.

Jesus spoke to the wind and told it to stop—in Mark —he said, “Peace—be still !” Mark 4:35

Immediately—the wind stopped. The waves became quiet. The disciples were amazed !

They said—Even the wind and sea obey him ! What kind of person is he?

(The disciples are still learning that Jesus is the Son of God.)