In OUR STUDY of the Gospel according to Luke, we have come to chapter 8. We have already seen in this investigation that our Lord's first tour of Galilee begins with 4:44 and extends through chapter 7. Some of this material, however, recounts events which occurred between the completion of the first tour and the beginning of the second. In chapter 8 we have a short account of the second tour and of other matters which followed its completion. As we shall see in the next installment of this series, the third and the last tour of Galilee is recorded in the ninth chapter. In the tenth chapter we find a record of the latter Judean ministry, in which seventy of the disciples participated. Having therefore ascertained our bearings in this record of the Gospel, we shall now approach the investigation of the material in hand.

In the first statement (vs. 1) we are told that Jesus went about the cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good tidings of the kingdom of God. Josephus tells us that there were over four hundred cities and villages in Galilee alone during that period. In other words, the entire country teemed with human life. Many Gentiles had moved into the area, for it was called Galilee of the nations, of the Gentiles. It was a very fertile field for our Lord, because it was farthest from Jerusalem with its crystallized and frigid orthodoxy and ritualism, which always proves a blight to the spiritual life of any people.

We are told that Jesus preached and brought the good news, the gospel, regarding the kingdom of God. John the Baptist had broken the silence of four hundred years by making the announcement that the time was fulfilled, and that the kingdom of God had come to hand; The people were therefore to repent and believe in the message of the gospel. Matthew is the only one who uses the expression "kingdom of heaven." Even he on four occasions uses the term "kingdom of God." Where Matthew employs the term "kingdom of heaven," Mark and Luke in giving an account of the same utterances use the term "kingdom of God." These expressions, therefore, are used synonymously. The student of God's Word should note this fact and be governed accordingly.

There accompanied Jesus on this tour the twelve disciples, whom He named Apostles. Certain women whom He had healed of evil spirits and infirmities, and from whom demons had been cast out, likewise accompanied them. These ministered of their substance unto the apostolic company. When anyone reads of the healing ministry of the Lord Jesus, he notes the fact that whenever our Lord healed a person He said nothing about it. On many occasions He insisted that the one healed should say nothing about it. The one exception to this rule is that of the cleansing of a leper. He required the healed man to go to the priest, according to the law of Moses, and make the offering that Moses commanded. Our Lord on His tours and in His preaching laid no emphasis on the healing of the body. On the contrary, He put great stress on the message of salvation. Any pattern of ministry that reverses this order is certainly not fashioned after the New Testament. Avoid all counterfeits. It behooves the faithful child of God to investigate carefully every movement that makes great claims, to see whether or not it is patterned after the New Testament. Avoid all counterfeits; "... prove all things; hold fast that which is good; ..." (I Thess. 5:21).

On this occasion our Lord spoke to the multitude the parables of the kingdom, seven of which are recorded in Matthew, chapter 13. Reading the parallel account as given by Mark (chap. 4), we see that on this occasion Jesus spoke more than seven parables. Especially look at Mark 4:26-29. But the seven parables which Matthew records set forth in a full and graphic manner the complete picture of the kingdom of heaven, or God, as it exists at the present day.

But Luke in his account, 8:4-16, gives only the parable of the sower, the first which He spoke on this occasion. The earnest Bible student, in order to get the full and complete picture, should read Matthew, chapter 13; Mark, chapter 4; and the present passage. But in order to have the proper perspective from which to view these parables, a person should study carefully Isaiah 42:1-4, which contains a prediction regarding the Messiah when He begins His personal ministry. A glance at this prophetic utterance proves that Isaiah saw the Messiah immediately after His baptism--when He was on the threshold of His public ministry, for the prophet quotes God as saying that He, God, had put His Spirit upon this Servant, the Messiah. The Spirit actually came upon Him at His baptism, when God acknowledged that Jesus was His Son and gave His message to Him in the language of this original prediction.

As we study this forecast of the Messiah, we see that He comes with one objective in view, namely, to establish justice in the earth. Thus He has political aims and aspirations. In order to reach His objective, He begins a preaching ministry. He refuses to be a demagogue, a rabble-rouser. He therefore does not go out in the streets shouting and raving. Though He has political objectives, He is not a dictator, who ruthlessly deals with the infirm and those not in a position to assist in his self-willed, wanton program.

The preaching ministry which the Messiah launches is outwardly a seeming failure, but He who starts it carries it on--even though He leaves the earth, going back to the Father--through His servants. Notwithstanding the fact that this preaching ministry may have the appearance of a failure, it is not that at all. For it is necessary that it be done in order that He, the Messiah, may "bring forth justice in truth." The preaching of the truth is a necessary prerequisite to establishing justice in the earth, "for we [those preaching the gospel] are a sweet savor of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, and in them that perish; to the one a savor from death unto death; to the other a savor of life unto life" (II Cor. 2:15,16). When this preaching ministry shall have been completed, He will "set justice in the earth; and the isles [the nations] shall wait for his law" (Isa. 42:4).

Having taken our stand with the prophet Isaiah, and having the proper perspective, we are able to appreciate the significance of the parables of the kingdom--especially the parable of the sower, the first one of the series and the only one which Luke records. The sower of this parable is none other than the Servant of Jehovah of Isaiah's prediction, the Lord Jesus Christ. The seed is the Word of God, which He and His successors sow broadcast, some of which fall on the wayside soil; some, on the rocky ground; others, among the thorns; and still others, in good ground. These four different soils upon which the seed falls represent classes of hearers, all of whom are in the kingdom of God in the sense of the term as it is used in this parable and as employed throughout all the parables of Matthew, chapter 13.

Those represented by the seed falling on the roadside, which are devoured by the birds, are in the kingdom of God. When the word falls into their hearts, the devil comes along and snatches it away lest they should believe. Nevertheless they are in the kingdom of God because these are part of the parable which Jesus used in illustrating the kingdom. The fact of their hearing the Word puts them into the kingdom. Likewise those who are represented by the seed falling on the rocky ground--which springs up, but later on account of having no depth of soil wither and die--are in the kingdom. Those represented by the seed falling among the thorns are also in the kingdom. The people symbolized by the first three types of soil are in the kingdom, yet they are not saved. Only those represented by the seed falling on good ground are saved. If I were to represent the teaching regarding the kingdom graphically, I would make a large circle on a blackboard and call that the kingdom of heaven or kingdom of God, into which all people by virtue of their hearing the Word are brought, or introduced.

The fact of their being in the kingdom does not indicate that they are saved at all. But at the same time I would make a small circle within the large one and call that the real kingdom of God, or the body of Christ. Regeneration--the new birth--is the one thing that puts them within this smaller circle, which is the real kingdom of God. "For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature" (Gal. 6:15), "for in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love" (Gal. 5:6). When our Lord returns, there will be many who will cry out to Him, "Lord, Lord, have we not done many wonderful works in thy name!" Nevertheless, the Lord will say, "I never knew you." They have been brought by virtue of their hearing the Word into the kingdom of God in the broader sense of the term, but have never accepted Christ personally as Saviour and have never been regenerated. Christ therefore will say, "I never knew you." Those that are represented as the seed falling in the good ground should be careful to maintain good works and to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. They, and they alone, bear fruit--some thirty, some sixty, and some a hundred fold.

In verses 16-18, God, having shown the function of a light, declares that there is nothing hidden that shall not be revealed. All things are naked and open before the eyes of Him with whom we have to do (Heb. 4:13). All secrets will be revealed. People therefore should give heed to what they hear. The matter of listening to the preaching of the gospel and giving heed to it is a serious matter. To those who have, more shall be given; and from those who do not have, even that which they seem to have will be taken away. Those who have honest hearts are willing to receive truth when it is presented to them are the ones who have, and hence more will be given to them. Those who are not honest at heart do not have; therefore even that which they have shall be taken from them. Since our Lord spoke this language following up His parable of the sower, it is evident that it has direct bearing upon the message that is preached, and that which we hear.

On this occasion, as Jesus was preaching to the vast multitudes that were thronging Him, His mother and brothers were seeking to talk with Him. Their desires were told to the Lord. He took occasion by this incident to emphasize the thought that the spiritual ties which bind those who do the will of God to Him are stronger than the natural ones.

In verses 22-39 we have a very vivid account of our Lord's crossing the sea of Galilee to the southeast side and of His healing a demoniac. His disciples accompanied Him. After they entered the boat, Jesus fell asleep. Doubtless He was tired and exhausted from His labors of this most busy day. There arose a great storm--such a one as those that are characteristic of the Sea of Galilee alone. The wind was blowing, the water was filling the boat, and all were in jeopardy. The disciples immediately went to Him and awoke Him, pleading with Him to help them. In the calmness of His majestic nature and power, He rebuked the raging storm, which subsided immediately. All, of course, marveled at what was accomplished.

Upon reaching the land, there met the Lord Jesus a man out of the city who was possessed with demons. This unfortunate man came shouting, "What have I to do with thee, Jesus, Thou Son of the Most High God? I beseech thee, torment me not." The Lord would not accept the testimony of a demon. This man was supernaturally empowered by the demons, who gave him great might and power, and who drove him into the desert. Upon being asked his name by our Lord, the man replied, "Legion; for many demons were entered into him." Then these demons entreated Jesus not to command them to depart into the abyss, but to permit them to enter into a drove of swine that were feeding nearby.

Jesus permitted them to enter the swine, that immediately ran down the steep mountainside, rushing into the water and perishing.

Demon possession is a reality, even today. It is becoming more so all the time. These demons are under Satan and constitute the special subjects of his kingdom. People of God should shun every contact with them and have nothing to do with spiritism, the occult and the like, which are backed up by evil spirits.

The man out of whom the demons had been cast was instructed by the Lord to return to his home and to declare the great things that God had done for him. He therefore went his way, publishing throughout the whole city the great things Jesus had done for him, which he did through gratitude for the great blessing bestowed.