Today’s reading is densely packed with crowds, teachings and miracles. If these were the only miracles we knew of, it would still be enough to be convinced that Jesus is the Son of God. And this is only a small part of what Jesus did!
The parable of the seed is mentioned here. I’ve often heard it said that this should be called the “parable of the soil” because it’s the soil that is different in each case, not the seed. The seed always remains the same.
I won’t reiterate what we just read, since the interpretation is given as well, we know how the passage applies to us. I want to mention a few other things: for instance, Jesus says that there will be some who “receive the word with joy” and who “put down roots” but their roots aren’t deep enough and they eventually die out. That sounds to me like Christians who later “lose” their faith. Some groups of believers don’t believe it is possible to “lose” salvation once you have obtained it…but this passage seems to be saying otherwise. I also wonder about the fate of the believer who never produces any fruit. This is a Christian who doesn’t “die out” or “lose their faith”, but they never mature to the point of having any evidence of salvation in their lives. What happens to them? In another passage Jesus curses a fruit tree that didn’t bear any fruit. It would seem that those who don’t produce the fruit of righteousness will not be permitted into heaven either.
Isaiah’s prophecy regarding “hearing but not understanding” and “seeing without comprehending” can be seen today all around us. A person is miraculously cured of cancer…no explanation…but the doctors explain it away, either denying that they had cancer at all, or offering some other reason…but never saying “it’s a miracle”. Professors offer outlandish and seeming ridiculous theories for how the earth came into being, and how we came to be on it…and yet no one says “that’s crazy”…we seem to just accept whatever they offer…even though it’s directly in contradiction with the Bible. And most importantly, there are people who are very familiar with the image of Christ on the cross, and Christ ascending into heaven….but they don’t know Christ personally. They have the images of God hanging on their walls and around their neck…but have no idea what it truly means. Salvation and a personal relationship with their Creator has escaped them. They always see, but never comprehend.
No where is that more true than in Nazareth, where Jesus taught in the synagogue, but was rejected. I notice that they knew of the miracles, but it doesn’t say that Jesus did many miracles there, undoubtedly because of their lack of faith. How sad that the people of his own “hometown” weren’t able to recognize the great treasure that was among them. They failed to recognize the pearl of great price, they didn’t recognize the treasure in the field…and they let it slip away from them. People from all across the world are searching for Jesus….people from all ages are seeking Him….and the people who lived nearby tossed him away. It’s hard to imagine.
I notice that Joseph isn’t mentioned by name in Luke 8. I wonder if he was already deceased? I wonder how many sisters Jesus had? It sounds like he came from a big family. I also wonder if Mary’s descendants could still be found today….it wouldn’t mean anything from a spiritual perspective, but wouldn’t that be something, to know that your family tree went clear back to the holy family? With that many children, I suppose it’s possible.
8:52 jumps out at me today. Jesus often has harsh things to say about the religious leaders and teachers of the Law, but here he says something kind about those who know the Old Testament, and are able to relate it to who Jesus is, and what He represents. Ministers today who know their Bible and can offer wise and insightful teachings from both Old and New Testaments might be included here. I aspire to one day be such a person.
Faithfully,
PR