The idea of family is always morphing in our society. Just in the past fifty years we’ve gone from June Cleaver to Uma Thurman. In the 1950’s the woman wore pearls and waited in high heels for her man to come home so she could greet him with a martini, a paper and dinner on the table. Today in movies like "My Super Ex-Girlfriend" the men are left holding the purses of the women superheros as they fly off to save the world.
I’m not saying that either version of family is correct - in fact, neither is. Children were to be seen and not heard - today our society tells us that we are evil if we even discipline our children at all. We have had so much divorce that people have to write books on how to blend new families together. The very definition of family has been called into question as issues like gay marriage come to the fore.
Our definition of family changes with the times - but Jesus’ definition of family never changes and it is in fact very different from ours. When Jesus came to earth He presented to us a new type of family - and told us that the family of God is more important than the family of man.
First he shows us how different this new family is from the world’s - by who He includes. Next He describes a little bit how to become a member of this new family - then contrasts it with His earthly family. Finally He demonstrates that life as a part of this new family is radically different than what you have experienced before.
Verses 1 - 3 The Women of Jesus’ Ministry
In our 21st century mindset we don’t realize the significance of these verses. Jesus regularly had women as a part of his ministry team. In fact, this verse tells us that women played an important role in financing His ministry. Women in the 1st century were invisible in society and they had few rights. In fact, there is a great article published on our website for registered users that details just how 2nd class citizens women were. Rabbis of the time, in fact, wouldn’t even bother teaching women, much less having them travel with them.
Yet Jesus treats them with honor. Here three women are mentioned - they are significant because all of them would witness Jesus’ death on the cross.
Mary Magdalene - not a prostitute - but a woman plagued by serious demon possession. She did hold a leadership position - one of the last at the cross and the first to see the resurrected Jesus. She came from the city of Magdala most likely. Joanna - was the wife of one of Herod’s stewards named Chuza. Chuza could have been in charge of one of Herod’s many estates. She would have been a powerful woman - and I think it’s ironic that one of Herod’s employees follows Jesus. You really have no idea just who you influence as you stand up for Jesus. Then there is Susanna - which we know nothing about.
They became part of Jesus’ family - a family where everyone is equal, no matter whether they are a woman or even demon possessed.
Verses 9 - 15 The Parable of the Sower
Farmers in those days didn’t dig neat rows and put seeds under ground - they literally tossed seeds out - so some would land on the path, some in the rocks, and some among the soil.
The problem is not the seed or the farmer - but the condition of the receiving soil.
A yield of 7 to 10 times would be considered good - a crop of a hundred fold would be considered miraculous.
I think we are dealing with two distinct people - who each fall into two groups. Group 1 are not saved, group 2 are. What they have in common is that they have heard the gospel - and the gospel is true no matter how it is received.
The Hard Soil - The hard hearted are like the Pharisees who reject Jesus outright. The Devil is all too glad to give them reasons to throw off the seeds of the gospel - just as today our intellect, philosophy, and love of pleasure, wealth, and power conspire to effectively block the truth from reaching hearts.
God’s Word, though - can pierce even the hardest of souls - and that should season our prayers.
The rocky soil - it’s like people who have an emotional response to the gospel but never really believe. They might be called "make believers." They hang around the church, learn the lingo and the songs - maybe even carry a Bible - but they are either in it for some selfish reason or there because it feels good - but they have not given their lives to Jesus Christ and as soon as Christianity doesn’t feel good anymore they are out of there.
The weedy soil - they are Christians, but unfruitful. It’s a sad thing when the cares of the world keep them from having a victorious life in Jesus. It can happen to any one of us - and in large part, that is the job of the church - to help Christians mature and depend on the Holy Spirit to overcome the trials and temptations that face them so they can be fruitful - like the good soil.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fir . ESV
Verses 16 - 18 The Lamp Parable
I used to think the parable of the lamp had to do with making sure people know you are a Christian. And while there is truth to that - I think what Jesus is saying here is that this changed nature will be as evident in the end as someone lighting an oil lamp and setting it up by the window on a dark night. There will be absolutely no doubt about those who are of the light and those who are not. Everyone knows what an unlit light bulb looks like - and how obvious it is when you turn on the switch - that’s also how different the old nature is from the new.
So to further illustrate this new family that Jesus is creating we see an almost encounter with his earthly family.
Verses 19 - 21
On the surface, this might appear that an arrogant Jesus is dissing his family now that He is a star. Not true at all. A couple of things to consider:
1. Mark tells us that Jesus’ earthly family was coming to take charge of him.
Mark 3:21 And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, "He is out of his mind." ESV
Clearly Mary did not understand fully what Jesus was doing - and his brothers we know did not believe at this time (they did later - especially James, who became a leader in the early church and wrote the letter of James).
2. Earlier in his life when Mary and Joseph came to find Jesus in Jerusalem He told them "I must be about My Father’s business" but went back with them obediently - it wasn’t time to begin his public ministry. This though is that time - and to stop it for family was not God’s will.
There may come that time for you too. Jesus did not stop honoring his father and mother - he wasn’t severing his relationship with them - but at that time it would have been wrong to stop - and we need to recognize that in ourselves and in our families.
3. The Family of God takes precedence over the family of earth
Luke 14:26-27 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters - yes, even his own life - he cannot be my disciple. 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. NIV
The idea there is to hate in comparison with the love and devotion to Jesus. Here in Luke 8 he says that the real family is not one born of flesh and blood - but of those who hear God’s word and respond to it by believing in Jesus. It doesn’t do away with an earthly family, but it sets it in proper perspective.
Verses 22 - 25 Calming the Storm
This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. Cleary exhausted from ministry - Jesus falls asleep as a storm rages on the Sea of Galilee. Wind storms come up quickly as cold air sweeps down from the surrounding mountains - but here Jesus just sleeps right through it. I don’t know about you but that’s not an easy thing to do.
So here come the disciples waking Him up saying "we’re going to die!!!" Does Jesus panic? Does He even thank them for waking Him so He can save the day - like calling Superman or something? No. He rebukes them. "Where is your faith?" He says.
Earlier Satan tried to tempt Jesus to throw himself off the pinnacle of the Temple quoting Psalm 91 "On their hands they will bear you up lest you strike your foot against a stone." It was testing God then - there was no need for protection. But here it was the time and the angels were standing by if they were needed. When you are doing God’s work you need fear nothing.
What I love here too - that if Jesus is in your boat asleep, why worry about the storms swirling around you? If Jesus isn’t panicked and afraid and worried - why should we?
The disciples clearly had a lot to learn about who Jesus really was - I think sometimes we have a lot to learn as well.
Conclusions
Do you feel a part of the new family (or are you pulled down by the old)?
Jesus takes in absolutely anyone who will bow their heart to Him. Here you have a woman in the worst of conditions (Mary) to one of high placement (Joanna) - all dedicated to Him. Don’t let your circumstances color your commitment to Him. Nor let your family sway your decision either. My family was not exactly thrilled at my commitment to Christ - when you are ready to join the new family, He is waiting, but won’t take second place to anyone.
What is the condition of your heart?
Hard, Rocky, Weedy, or Tilled up? Pray for soft, pure, and a broken up heart to receive what God is saying to you.
Do you feel like a lit lamp?
Have you experienced the re-birth? Do you find yourself hiding your life in Christ under the table - do people know you are a Christian whether you tell them or not?
Are you fearing your boat is sinking?
Maybe your life is in a real storm right now - and you are busy shaking Jesus, mad at him for not caring about you. When all along He knows how to take care of you and deliver you safely to His kingdom.
For more Bible studies, visit our website at: www.CalvaryChapelNewberg.org
