Lesson 24 Luke 8:16-25 Parables, Family, and Peace in the Storm

The Lamp Stand 8:16- 18

English Standard Version (Chapter 8)

16 “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. 17 For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. 18 Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away from him.”

The Savior is continuing His explanation of teaching through another parable. This would be the Parable of the Lamp, or Lamp Stand. This is not the parable of the lamp jar or the bed lamp because they are not the intended objects of what is to be practiced. remember that their jars were not like a clear mayo jar of today, but rather their jars would have been solid and made of clay. It would have suppressed the light of the candle. If you need a bed light, (not for a pick up bed,) they are put in a room so as to provide guidance when you get up during an evening of rest. The idea is that this is not monumental to understand. Anybody can relate to this and anybody can understand, can be widely known as the word “evident” presents to us in verse 17.

Therefore, verse 18.

Any time we see wherefore or therefor, we know there is some conclusion getting or our attention. If you see these words, you can ask what is the wherefore, therefor, or what is the therefor therefor? Sooner rather than later the explanation follows. The point being made is to “think on how you listen.” The unwritten admonition is to know your position: Whoever has, and whatever he thinks he has. You could actually call this “the Parable of the haves and have nots.” The “haves” are those who have ministered seed that is fruitful. The “have nots” are those who have labored in the hedgerows and the beaten down paths of unfruitfulness. It does not involve finances, but rather it centers around God’s Precious Word. You might even say, that this parable is the one about “common sense.” The kingdom is not about the division of classes or types of people, but Jesus Christ came to reconcile the world to Himself. We are one when we are in Him.

Family Time 8:19- 21

English Standard Version (Chapter 8)

19 Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. 20 And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” 21 But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

Mother Mary comes to Him and says, “ we need to talk with you, Jesus.” Actually, they did not even get that close because the crowd had prevented them. I can totally understand the family wanting to get in on all of the excitement of the crowd, the preaching, and the healings. Instead they found themselves on the outside, wanting to get in. He basically responded that there is not a “front of the line” in His busy world. Everybody who hears and does the Word of God are on the same plain. There are no special provisions for the flesh, but rather the provision is for those who believe. When family members have one of their number who is popular, relationships can be tricky. This is not a statement about how He cared for His immediate family here on earth. This a statement about their standing in His kingdom. everyone believes on their own. The kingdom takes precedent over everything. Family does not predicate spirituality.

Jesus in the Storm 8:22- 25

English Standard Version (Chapter 8)

22 One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, 23 and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. 24 And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”

As residents of Michigan in the middle of the Great Lakes, we have been familiar with angry lakes over the years. Everyone probably has their lake weather story. Severe weather has come up specifically in 1913 and 1940 in the Great Lakes. Bad weather can come up quickly over water. The storm of 1940 hit as the world was plunging into WWII:

The SS William B. Davock was carrying coal to Chicago though Lake Michigan when it was hit by the Armistice Day storm. All 32 crew members died in the wind and waves. Having caused a total of 154 deaths and numerous shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, the storm left lasting changes on Midwestern society that are felt today.

This lake was no different. This lake is not named in this chapter, but it was the Sea of Galilee. It is subject to sudden storms. It is located some 700 feet below sea level and adjacent to a mountainous region. Cold air from the mountains sweeps down and troubles the lake without warning. Mark puts the event on the evening of the parable of the sower. Jesus was more than happy to get into a pretty good sized boat with His disciples. It was His desire to go to the other side of the lake. Perhaps, they were going to another preaching/teaching engagement or just looking to get away to a quiet place.

Whatever the reason, as soon as the sailed and Jesus took a snooze, a ruinous windstorm brewed up quickly on the water. The Boat started taking on water and they were in danger of sinking. They awakened the Master with cries that they were perishing. The danger appeared very real! As soon as Jesus awakened, He rebuked the wind and the swelling waves. They simply stopped making a mess. Jesus then wondered out loud, where is your faith? As they say, this blew them out of the water. The guys all said, who is this guy that command the winds and the water, and they obey Him. Yep, who ever controls the weather has got to have some power. This is an instance of an extreme comparison: The absolute terror of dying men to the calm assurance of the Master.

Death can have that kind of fear hold on a person. Jesus came to give peace in the midst of life’s storms. Peace in times of trouble is His specialty:

English Standard Version (Chapter 14)

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid

This is other worldly peace. It does not come this side of heaven without the Master, Master, Jesus, Jesus, Savior, Savior. It is doubly satisfying and encouraging. Another New Testament definition is the kind kind of peace that defies explanation:

English Standard Version (Chapter 4)

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Verses like these and others are essential to the believer to weather the fears that mount up like a mid-west storm.Paul’s letter to the Philippians says that peace takes practice (vs.9) Perhaps the best practice you can perform is the committing to memory one of these verse from Philippians or John 14:27 to memory. Peace is powerful. Protect it in your life with all diligence.