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Luke 8:40-56 - Jairus’ Daughter and the Hemorrhaging Woman (26/10/2020)

Summary

Jairus asks for Jesus’ help. The woman with the issue of blood is healed and Jesus has her tell her story. News gets to Jairus that his daughter is dead, but Jesus reassures him that the girl will be well. He gets to the house where He is ridiculed for saying that the little girl is sleeping. Then, He raises her from the dead.

First Thoughts

I’ve never noticed that the little girl was Jairus’ only daughter. But I don’t think that’s significant. I don’t think it would have mattered if she were one out of ten. The average parent loves their kids and wants them to be healed when they’re sick.

I’ve also never noticed that the little girl had been alive for about the same time as the woman had been hemorrhaging, which makes 12 years seem simultaneously like an eternity and such a short time.

What does this passage teach me about God?

Death is so “temporary” in God’s eyes that its comparable to sleep to Him. I guess when you’ve been around for all eternity, it’s easy for that to happen.

God has the power to heal long-term illness and by extension He can solve long-term challenges and fix life-long character flaws.

God has power over something that may seem as permanent and powerful as death.

Faith is really important to God. My interpretation is that He had to put all the other people out of the room because they didn’t believe. I wonder if it’s because He can’t work for us if we don’t believe He’s capable or if witnessing His power is only reserved for those who believe in it. Hebrews 11:6 comes to mind.

What does this passage teach me about how I should live my life?

My faith has made me whole. I have this printed on a poster up on my wall. My sister and I have been having some health challenges over the past few years. It’s seriously affected our productivity and our mental health and just changed our lives, but our church mentor has been praying with us about it. She encouraged us to study the story of the woman with the issue of blood and claim our healing. 

When we studied it together, we came across something we had never noticed before. This story may have never been recorded if the woman never came forward. Additionally, witnessing this woman’s miraculous healing would have helped to reinforce Jairus’ faith in Jesus. A reinforcement that would be necessary because it didn’t look like they would have made it in time even if Jesus hadn’t stopped. I imagine it was another case like Lazarus where God allows bad things to happen to reveal His care and power to us.

This tells me that my stories of faith and God’s faithfulness need to be shared in order to help strengthen others’ faith. I’m sure the number of people throughout the centuries that have been comforted by this story is immeasurable. Telling our stories is important.

The final thing I learnt is that what others may see as a lost cause, a “don’t even bother the Master” situation, Jesus still sees as having life.

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Give me an unshakeable faith in you, that even though others may encourage me to give up, I will continue to trust in You and your love and power. Give me the courage to share my stories of my faith and Your faithfulness. Use me to encourage others.

In Your Name,

Amen.

[somedaysistudymybible]

Luke 9:1-17 The Disciples are Sent Out; Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand (27/10/2020)

Summary

Jesus sends the disciples out to preach and heal and gives them power and clear instructions on how to go about their ministry. 

Herod joins the speculation about who Jesus really is (John the Baptist, Elijah, or another ancient prophet resurrected).

Jesus performs the miracle of feeding the five thousand with five loaves and two fish.

First Thoughts

I assume it’s related to our medical advances, but laying hands on people to heal them isn’t a common thing you say in Christians today. I see a lot more of answered prayers, as in people pray for a sick person and they (eventually) get well. I wonder if that’s all the “power” we need in the 21st century, because God has given us more knowledge.

I also noticed that the disciples are the ones who brought up the people’s needs. They shoed their concern even before Jesus could say anything. That’s interesting to me. Maybe Jesus wouldn’t have asked them to solve the problem if they hadn’t brought it up. 

This idea brought to mind a Bible study that my sister was doing and the writer was saying that God gives us different burdens. He gives us concern for different groups. She was saying that her daughter’s is homeless people. They are the burdens on her heart. They are the people she has the most compassion for. She was saying that those of us who don’t have the same reaction don’t need to feel guilty. It’s just that God has given us a different burden. 

I don’t think that means that we shouldn’t offer compassion and concern for all these groups/things whether it be the poor, the homeless, animals, the environment, whatever other cause that we do not feel as passionate about as our neighbour. I think it’s more that God is calling us to action in our burden. He has given it to us as part of our purpose.

What does this passage teach me about God?

We know He’s the real Authority because He’s capable of distributing it. It’s not like in the parable with the virgins and the lamps where if He shares, there’s not enough left for Him. He is the Source.

Jesus has the power to provide for our spiritual needs and our physical needs.

Jesus’ ministry always involved meeting both spiritual and physical needs.

What does this passage teach me about how I should live my life?

God is calling me not to just express my concern, not just to observe and point out the need I see. He’s asking me to DO!

When I think about the little meal that was offered to Jesus for Him to share among the crowd it gets me thinking about my life. What I have/am right now may seem insignificant and inadequate, but Jesus is still asking for it. With His blessing, the world can witness a miracle.

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

You are Almighty and Incredible. You amaze me. I am so grateful that You provide for all my needs on a daily basis. I know that You want me to give of myself and my resources to service. Use me and direct me. Show me my burden and bless me with compassion and kindness. Multiply my energy and equip me for this work, so that the world will witness a miracle.

In Your Name,

Amen

[somedaysistudymybible]

Luke 9:18-36 - Jesus’ Identity and Transfiguration (28/10/2020)

Summary

Jesus asks the disciples who people say He is and they tell Him the rumors. Then He asks who they think He is and Peter says that He is the Messiah. Then He shares the events to come with them including His death and resurrection. He also tells them of the sacrifices they will have to make as His disciples.

He takes Peter, James and John up to a mountain top where He meets with Moses and Elijah. The three are speechless and become afraid when a Voice speaks to them instructing them to listen to Jesus.

First Thoughts

The disciples had a lot of terrifying experiences. If Jesus wasn’t their friend it would be very easy to be afraid of Him. I guess they usually felt a lot more awe than fear though.

Some versions say that Jesus asked the disciples not to tell people that He was the Messiah and also that He told those who witnessed His transfiguration not to tell anyone either. I find that interesting that sometimes He asked for secrecy, even after healing people.

What does this passage teach me about God?

I think sometimes it’s easy to limit His omniscience to just knowing the future, but He also knows what could have been the future. He knows what would have happened if we made certain decisions or did certain things and I assume that’s what guided His ministry: which villages He visited, which people He told not to share what He had done for them, who He explained parables to.

What does this passage teach me about how I should live my life?

Being a Christian isn’t easy. Jesus Himself refers to it as a cross to bear.

We always talk about the sacrifices we have to make, but I feel like God only asks us to give up what’s bad for us anyway, so it’s a win-win for us.

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for sacrifice for me. I accept You as my Saviour and ask that you help me be willing to make whatever sacrifices You may ask of me. Help me to trust that You only have my best interest at heart and that whatever You want for me is the best thing. Give me Your joy in every situation.

In Your Name,

Amen

[somedaysistudymybible]

Luke 8:26-39 - A Demon-possessed Man is Healed (25/10/2020)

Summary

Jesus and His disciples reach the other shore and disembark, when a man comes running down the hill. The demons that control him beg Jesus not to torture them and Jesus discovers that the group is called Legion. He casts them out of the man and into a nearby herd of pigs that run off a cliff into the sea and drown.

The whole town comes out to see Jesus and the now healed man who is clothed and in his right mind. The people are afraid of Jesus after seeing the transformation and ask Him to leave, but as He is preparing to leave, the healed man begs Jesus to let him accompany Him. Instead, Jesus sends him to go tell his story.

First Thoughts

I always think about how terrifying that experience must have been for the disciples. I think I’ve read a version of the story where they run back to the boat and I completely understand why that would be your first instinct.

I’ve also always been concerned about the pigs. I don’t think I would have survived Bible times and having to kill so many sheep and cows for sacrifices either.

What does this passage teach me about God?

He’s incredibly powerful and He is the Authority of the entire universe. He has always been and He will always be in charge. Only the person in charge could have given us the gift of choice.

What does this passage teach me about how I should live my life?

If the Authority of the Universe has my back, I can sleep easy. He can protect me and provide me with everything I need.

He wants me to keep telling my story, what He’s done for me, share who I was, so people can be in awe of the transformation.

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Please transform me so that others will be amazed by your power. Give me the courage to share my story with others so that they will want to be part of your family.

In Your name,

Amen

[somedaysistudymybible]

Luke 8:16-25 - Lamp Under a Basket & Stormy Weather (24/10/2020)

Summary

Jesus explains the futility of hiding a lamp under a basket and talks about how everything will eventually come to light. He tells His listeners that they are His mother and siblings if they obey God’s word.

He and His disciples travel across a body of water where they end up in a storm that Jesus calms. The disciples are afraid and then amazed.

First Thoughts

I only associate the lamp analogy with the city on the hill analogy and the “Ye are the salt of the earth” speech. So it was interesting seeing it in this context. 

The idea of everything coming to light eventually is pretty unnerving for me. I wish it weren’t, but it is. I guess it feeds into my fear that I’m a fake Christian and I’m just going through the motions and that my life isn’t really being transformed. I really want to get to the place where I can be transparent, where I don’t feel like I have anything to hide. I can be like, “Yeah! I’m a sinner, but Jesus has saved me. Praise God!”

When it comes to the storm, I think I have a good idea of the disciples’ feelings throughout the situation. I’ve gone under a few times as a child and had someone grab me and usher me to safety. So I think I understand the fear and desperation there. 

I can also imagine the fear of seeing someone do something mind blowing like stopping a storm. It must have been one of those game-changing moments for them like when they saw him walking on water or multiplying food.

What does this passage teach me about God?

Well, God sees who I am, like every square inch and He still loves me. It reminds me that it’s never been about me. Instead, it’s all about who He is and what He’s done on my behalf.

God accepts us into His family, when we’re willing to listen to His direction and guidance.

God has the power to calm the storm, whether He’s taking a nap or standing up and facing it head on.

What does this passage teach me about how I should live my life?

I definitely want to be transparent and honest with myself and the people around me. I don’t want to create this false narrative that I’m perfect.

With Jesus in my boat, I’m going to be okay.

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Help me to be a listener and doer of your Word, but more than that, give me the will and the skills to share it with others. Use me to encourage others to join your family. Give me the faith to be able to lie next to you and take a nap during a storm.

In Your name,

Amen.

[somedaysistudymybible]

Luke 8:1-15 - The Parable of the Sower and the Seed (23/10/2020)

Summary

Jesus is traveling with His disciples and the women who support them financially. He tells the parable of the Sower and the seed. He explains the purpose of using parables and then the meaning of this one in particular to His disciples.

First Thoughts

I struggled to find something “new” in this passage, but I guess reminders are just as important as new revelations, so this is what stood out to me:

What does this passage teach me about God?

Women have always seemed to be significant contributors to the gospel. This passage lists a number of them who provide financial support and we know that Mary was one of the first people to spread the gospel. Jesus has called women and the church has no right to say otherwise.

God values the contribution that women have made and will continue to make to the spread of the gospel.

What does this passage teach me about how I should live my life?

God expects me to be a part of the team that spreads the gospel. He has called me, with my distinct background, gifts, talents, finances, network and dreams. And if I make myself available, He can use me to reach so many people.

God will use me to reach others if I am open to it.

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for the gift of the gospel. Work on my heart so that it will always be ready to not only receive your word but to establish it with deep and strong roots. Use me to reach those around me wherever I go.

In your name,

Amen.