Luke 8:16-21

vv. 16-18, Jesus transitions from the parable of the soil to the parable of the lamp, stating that no one would cover a lit lamp or hide it away; rather they would put out so that those who come in may see the light. From this, He goes on to say that by the light, everything hidden or secret will become evident and known, therefore we must take care how we listen to His words: the one who has, the more he will receive; the one who does not, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.

(1) It provides light for those who enter the room (8:16). Jesus’ proclamation illuminates the truth of the gospel for those who will hear it. (2) It reveals things that are previously concealed (8:17). The message of the gospel demands a response and so lays bare the thoughts and intentions of people’s hearts (cf. 2:35).

Luke 8:18 summarizes the need for a response to both parables. Those who “have” are followers who respond to his kingdom announcement and are receiving the “secrets” of the kingdom. Those who “do not have” are the ones who reject his call and so lose not only future blessings, but also what they think they already have. The religious leaders opposing Jesus think they have a special status before God. Even this supposed status will be taken from them.

Whoever has will be given more (8:18). Old Testament wisdom literature confirms that those who are already wise seek and receive even greater wisdom. Proverbs 9:9 says, “Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning” (cf. 1:2–6).

vv. 19-21, As this is occuring, Luke tells us that the mother and brothers of Jesus came to Him and were unable to reach Him because of the crowd. This came to His attention and He answered that His true family is a spiritual family, mother and brothers who hear the word of God and do it.

This is profound.

Jesus has brothers, so His mother is no longer a virgin.

Mary carried out a normal life as a Hebrew bride, bringing sons and daughters (Mt 13:55-56; Mk 6:3) to her husband Joseph, so it seems.

Jesus notes that any women (likely older) are those who hear God’s Word and obey it.

The spiritual is exalted over the physical

Holy Spirit, help me to properly wrap my head around this.

Note on the Family of Jesus

According to the Gospels, Jesus had four brothers, James, Joseph, Judas and Simon, and an undisclosed number of sisters. His brothers did not believe in him during his public ministry (John 2:12; 7:3, 5), but appear with Mary among the first believers in Jerusalem following the resurrection (Acts 1:14). Since his earthly father, Joseph, is never mentioned during Jesus’ public ministry, it is likely that he had died before Jesus began to preach. Jesus’ brother James plays a central leadership role in the Jerusalem church. Independent confirmation of the conversion and leadership role of Jesus’ brothers is provided by Paul, who identifies them as itinerant preachers (1 Cor. 9:5), calls James one of the “pillars” of the Jerusalem church (Gal. 1:19; 2:9, 12), and refers to a resurrection appearance to James (1 Cor. 15:7). Two New Testament letters, James and Jude, have traditionally been ascribed to these brothers of Jesus.

There is a lively debate concerning the actual relationship of these “brothers” to Jesus. There are three main possibilities. (1) Roman Catholic theologians have traditionally followed the interpretation of Jerome that these are not Jesus’ brothers, but rather his cousins. This is usually suggested to protect the perpetual virginity of Mary. This view is unlikely, since Greek has a distinct word for cousin (anepsios, Col. 4:10). (2) A second view is that these are children from a previous marriage of Joseph.A-29 One problem with this is that no mention of these children is made in the birth narratives of Matthew or Luke. (3) The most likely explanation is that these are the brothers of Jesus born to Mary and Joseph after the birth of Jesus. Matthew 1:25 suggests that Mary and Joseph had normal sexual relations after Jesus was born.

Little is known of Jesus’ brothers from extrabiblical material. Josephus reports the stoning of James, Jesus’ brother, under the high priest Ananias. The early church father Julius Africanus is quoted by the church historian Eusebius as saying that the relatives of Jesus spread the gospel throughout Palestine, starting in Nazareth and Cochaba (in Transjordan).A-31 Hegesippus, also cited by Eusebius, relates a story about the grandsons of Jude, who were summoned to Rome by the emperor Domitian. Domitian feared that as members of the royal line of David they might be politically dangerous. When Domitian found that they were merely poor farmers and were looking for a heavenly rather than earthly kingdom, he dismissed them and ordered the persecution of the church to stop. The historical veracity of this account is uncertain.

Exegetical Idea/Big Idea:

Jesus speaks on how the Word is like a light, revealing every hidden and secret thing

We must therefore take care how we listen to His Words; the one who has His Word, more he will receive and the one who does not have, even what they think they have will be taken away from them (?)

The given conclusion, with Jesus’ family seeking Him out, leads Jesus to say that His kin are those who hear the Word of God and obey it.

Big Idea:

Followers of Christ have nothing to lose and everything to gain by stepping into the Light of Christ, allowing His Word to illumine every shadow within our being. To be apart of His family is to receive (to hear it, believe it) the Word and respond accordingly to the Word (obey it)

As Christians being attentive to our response to the Word, let us further remember that we have nothing to lose by stepping into the Light of Christ. Let us hear His Word and do it. (?)

What should we praise God for? (Rejoice)

What should we confess to God? (Repent)

What should we ask God for? (Request)

What should we lift up to God? (Sacrifice)

What should we live out for God? (Service)

As Christians being attentive to our response to the Word, let us further remember that we have nothing to lose by stepping into the Light of Christ. Let us hear His Word and do it. (?)

Recap:

Luke 8:1-15, As Christians, let us not be deceived by the initial responses of others towards the Word of God, but also by our own initial responses.

The response of a Christian is marked by an honest, humble( good; gentle) reception of the Word with perseverant fruitfulness.

Are you all heat and no flame? Is your passion for Christ being choked out by the competing passion for the things of the world?

Be cautious Christian, lest you hear on that day, “I never knew you!”

Read Luke 8:16-21

(15-20 min.)

vv. 16-17

vv. 16-18, Jesus transitions from the parable of the soil to the parable of the lamp, stating that no one would cover a lit lamp or hide it away; rather they would put out so that those who come in may see the light. From this, He goes on to say that by the light, everything hidden or secret will become evident and known,

(1) It provides light for those who enter the room (8:16). Jesus’ proclamation illuminates the truth of the gospel for those who will hear it. (2) It reveals things that are previously concealed (8:17). The message of the gospel demands a response and so lays bare the thoughts and intentions of people’s hearts (cf. 2:35).

Summarize:

Jesus speaks on how the Word is like a light, revealing every hidden and secret thing

v. 18,

v. 18, therefore we must take care how we listen to His words: the one who has, the more he will receive; the one who does not, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.

Luke 8:18 summarizes the need for a response to both parables. Those who “have” are followers who respond to his kingdom announcement and are receiving the “secrets” of the kingdom. Those who “do not have” are the ones who reject his call and so lose not only future blessings, but also what they think they already have. The religious leaders opposing Jesus think they have a special status before God. Even this supposed status will be taken from them.

Whoever has will be given more (8:18). Old Testament wisdom literature confirms that those who are already wise seek and receive even greater wisdom. Proverbs 9:9 says, “Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning” (cf. 1:2–6).

Summarize:

We must therefore take care how we listen to His Words; the one who has His Word, more he will receive and the one who does not have, even what they think they have will be taken away from them (?)

vv. 19-21,

vv. 19-21, As this is occuring, Luke tells us that the mother and brothers of Jesus came to Him and were unable to reach Him because of the crowd. This came to His attention and He answered that His true family is a spiritual family, mother and brothers who hear the word of God and do it.

This is profound.

Jesus has brothers, so His mother is no longer a virgin.

Mary carried out a normal life as a Hebrew bride, bringing sons and daughters (Mt 13:55-56; Mk 6:3) to her husband Joseph, so it seems.

Jesus notes that any women (likely older) are those who hear God’s Word and obey it.????

The spiritual is exalted over the physical

Holy Spirit, help me to properly wrap my head around this.

Note on the Family of Jesus

According to the Gospels, Jesus had four brothers, James, Joseph, Judas and Simon, and an undisclosed number of sisters. His brothers did not believe in him during his public ministry (John 2:12; 7:3, 5), but appear with Mary among the first believers in Jerusalem following the resurrection (Acts 1:14). Since his earthly father, Joseph, is never mentioned during Jesus’ public ministry, it is likely that he had died before Jesus began to preach. Jesus’ brother James plays a central leadership role in the Jerusalem church. Independent confirmation of the conversion and leadership role of Jesus’ brothers is provided by Paul, who identifies them as itinerant preachers (1 Cor. 9:5), calls James one of the “pillars” of the Jerusalem church (Gal. 1:19; 2:9, 12), and refers to a resurrection appearance to James (1 Cor. 15:7). Two New Testament letters, James and Jude, have traditionally been ascribed to these brothers of Jesus.

There is a lively debate concerning the actual relationship of these “brothers” to Jesus. There are three main possibilities. (1) Roman Catholic theologians have traditionally followed the interpretation of Jerome that these are not Jesus’ brothers, but rather his cousins. This is usually suggested to protect the perpetual virginity of Mary. This view is unlikely, since Greek has a distinct word for cousin (anepsios, Col. 4:10). (2) A second view is that these are children from a previous marriage of Joseph.A-29 One problem with this is that no mention of these children is made in the birth narratives of Matthew or Luke. (3) The most likely explanation is that these are the brothers of Jesus born to Mary and Joseph after the birth of Jesus. Matthew 1:25 suggests that Mary and Joseph had normal sexual relations after Jesus was born.

Little is known of Jesus’ brothers from extrabiblical material. Josephus reports the stoning of James, Jesus’ brother, under the high priest Ananias. The early church father Julius Africanus is quoted by the church historian Eusebius as saying that the relatives of Jesus spread the gospel throughout Palestine, starting in Nazareth and Cochaba (in Transjordan).A-31 Hegesippus, also cited by Eusebius, relates a story about the grandsons of Jude, who were summoned to Rome by the emperor Domitian. Domitian feared that as members of the royal line of David they might be politically dangerous. When Domitian found that they were merely poor farmers and were looking for a heavenly rather than earthly kingdom, he dismissed them and ordered the persecution of the church to stop. The historical veracity of this account is uncertain.

Summarize:

The given conclusion, with Jesus’ family seeking Him out, leads Jesus to say that His kin are those who hear the Word of God and obey it.

Big Idea:

Followers of Christ have nothing to lose and everything to gain by stepping into the Light of Christ, allowing His Word to illumine every shadow within our being. To be a part of His family is to receive (to hear it, believe it) the Word and respond accordingly to the Word (obey it)

(15-20 min)

Open the discussion for any questions.

(Let group answer these questions)

What should we praise God for? (Rejoice)

What should we confess to God? (Repent)

What should we ask God for? (Request)

What should we lift up to God? (Sacrifice)

What should we live out for God? (Service)

As Christians being attentive to our response to the Word, let us further remember that we have nothing to lose by stepping into the Light of Christ. Let us hear His Word and do it. (?)

(10-15 min)

Walk with God: What does faithful obedience look like personally in your walk with God?

Keep Christ first: What does faithful obedience look like personally when we keep Christ first?

Keep sin out of your life: What does faithful obedience look like personally when you are keeping sin out of your life

Personally,

Luke 8:16-21

Observations:

Homiletical Idea

Liturgical Idea

Intro:

Prayer

Head- What does it mean?

vv. 16-21, Parable of the Lamp

Heart- Do I buy it?

Hands- So What? How then should I live?