King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Monday, October 14, 2024
Chapters: Luke Chapter 8
Message: Nothing is Secret With Jesus
Hello My Friend,
A secret is something that is concealed from all except for the persons involved, it is no secret that the world is becoming more wicked by the day. It is also no secret that the entire world is seeing catastrophic events like it has not seen in a long time. While the world wants to blame natural disasters as being due to man being careless about the environment and all the evil due to man being unlearned, it is no secret to the saved, born again Christian that all of these things going on are signs that Jesus could return for His people at any time. Jesus, hides nothing from those who have one inkling of belief in Him, and will bring the Light of the Gospel to all who acknowledge and accept Him as their Saviour.
[Luke 8:16-18 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. 17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. 18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.]
[when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel,] Those whom have received Christ as their Saviour have within themselves the light of the Gospel and are never to keep that hid from those who are in the world as there may be some who want to come to the Light as well, [1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:]
[Take heed therefore how ye hear:] All whom say they have received Christ need to make sure they have done so sincerely and are honest with themselves about their faith. It is the responsibility of the one who has the knowledge of Christ to accept Him, otherwise, when Jesus calls for His people, their name will not be called, [Luke 13:25-27 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: 26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.]
If there is any belief other than the sinless death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, who was born of a virgin, then there is no salvation. And as we continue in the reading of the Gospels, Luke, records his take on the parable of the sower along with some things we have read previously, and we also learn of Mary Magdalene, and that several women accompanied Jesus and the disciples. Luke, is not concerned about the exact sequence of events that happened, in this case during the ministry of Jesus in Galilee, while there, He made a tour of the cities and towns, as well as parts of Palestine.
[Luke 8:1-4 And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, 2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, 3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. 4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:]
[which ministered unto him of their substance.] In other words, they brought them food, water, and other provisions such as blankets. This shows us the importance of being ministers to our preachers and teachers of Christ. A minister is not someone who leads a church, they are someone who serves in the church, [2 Corinthians 6:1,3-4 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: 4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,]
[when much people were gathered together…he spake by a parable:] It was when Jesus saw the big crowd of people that He chose to speak in parables,
[Luke 8:5-9 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. 6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. 8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?]
[What might this parable be?] It is interesting to note that the parables were spoken so that those who believe in Jesus would understand what He was saying to them, but if they did not believe in Him. It is also notable to understand that one does not need to fully understand everything that is written in the Bible. Learning and understanding God’s Word comes one day at a time. Now, Jesus explains the parable.
[Luke 8:11-15 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.]
[having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.] Can you see why the Bible is not designed to be read one time and be done with it? It is designed that we might grow in our walk with Christ and with patience become a reflection of Him. While we will never fully be like Christ until we see the Kingdom of God, the more we walk with Him the more of His reflection we give off, [Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.]
You can tell that Luke wrote down his account of the events that Matthew and Mark had spoke of also when it came to his mind as he did not give a specific timeline, only that it was on a certain day. Luke, also records of the day that Jesus and the disciples got into a ship to head over to Gadarenes.
[Luke 8:22-25 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. 23 But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.]
[as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm] Notice that it was when Jesus fell asleep that the storm arose, this was not made known to us so that we might believe that when Jesus sleeps trouble comes, it is to show us that the just might live by faith, [Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.]
Well, they arrived at the shore of Gadarenes and as soon as Jesus got out of the ship, we learn more about one of the men who had been living in the graveyard, possessed by demons.
[Luke 8:27-30 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not. 29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) 30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.]
[What have I to do with thee, Jesus,] This is the very first question that most people ask Jesus before they accept Him as their Saviour. Well, to some extent they do, those who believe in God and want heaven to be their home will come to understand just what they need Jesus for, [Galatians 2:20-21 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.]
The demons certainly knew who Jesus was and what would come of them, they were headed for their own destruction, [Luke 8:29-31 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) 30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. 31 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.]
The demons begged Jesus to let them go into a herd of pigs that were there, but when they entered into them the pigs went crazy and ran themselves right off the mountain, [Luke 8:32-35 And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them. 33 Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked. 34 When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.]
[found the man…clothed, and in his right mind:] Why would this make them fearful of Jesus? Well, the pigs were their livelihood, and perhaps they were a little upset about that, but I believe the reason was because it was nothing they had seen before. in fact, they were so scared that they begged Jesus to leave.
[Luke 8:37-40 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. 38 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him. 40 And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.]
[Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done] It is sad that these people wanted nothing to do with Jesus, but also exciting to learn that the man wanted to follow Him. Nevertheless, this is why Jesus has not brought all of His faithful home yet, they still have much to tell their world about what God has done for them while they have the opportunity, [Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!]
Preaching the Gospel is not the same as being a preacher, a preacher is there to help guide Christ sheep in the right direction, a preacher of the Gospel is a mere minister to the lost. Luke, also gives the account of the ruler of the synagogue who came to Jesus to heal his daughter, [Luke 8:41-44 And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus’ feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: 42 For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him. 43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.]
[and immediately her issue of blood stanched.] [Stanched; Stopped or restrained from flowing.] It was no wonder why Jesus stopped in His tracks when He felt the woman’s faith. Yes, Jesus, explains this as the disciples are trying to understand what Jesus was talking about when He asks who touched Him.
[Luke 8:45-48 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.]
[Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee,] While the disciples had no clue what Jesus was talking about, He knew that one person in that crowd did have that much faith in Him. She also knew as well since she felt the healing as soon as she touched the hem of his coat. Now, that is the faith that we all need to have. Meanwhile, Jairus, got word that his daughter died.
[Luke 8:49-52 While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. 50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. 51 And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. 52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.]
[Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.] I understand that sometimes the circumstances that we face are trying on our faith and they can bring us to the brink of near extinction of that faith. However, Jesus knows our heart and that is the difference between a true believer and one who is just pretending. And well, while all the fools mocked Jesus for saying that the young girl was only sleeping, He put them all to their own shame when He raised her from the dead.
[Luke 8:53-56 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. 54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. 55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. 56 And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.]
[he charged them that they should tell no man] At this point Jesus had only cast out demons and healed people in public, this would be the first time He brought someone back from the dead so He wanted them to keep a lid on it. Well, believe it or not, anyone who is saved right now that has already gone to be with the Lord in heaven is only sleeping while they are in their graves. Jesus, will return and when He does, things are going to be so bad that He will literally resurrected every saved soul’s body so that it will not be here when the earth is destroyed.
[1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [Luke 8:24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. Luke 8:50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, Thank You, for revealing Your truths to those who believe in You and showing them what they need to do to escape damnation. Those who accept You are not saved by their own works, rather by faith in Your sinless death, burial, and resurrection. Lord, It is no secret that You are returning, so rather than fear what is to come or hide our faith, show us how we can shine Your Light upon those who seek You. Lead us and guide us, give us Your mercy and grace to be the ministers You call us to be, and Your strength to endure the afflictions that come. Let us be faithful in our walk with You and live by faith in Your promises, let us also be bold to peach the Gospel to the lost so that they my learn of the hope that we rest upon. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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