Luke 9:3-7 Jesus told them: “Take nothing for the journey –  no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them.” 6 So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.
 
JESUS told his disciples, “Trust in God’s provision for your ministry.” They would take a staff to aid in their walking. The bag was sometimes used by Jews for begging for food while traveling. The men would leave with no bread nor money to buy bread or lodging. The extra tunic was a spare to protect them from inclement weather. This was to be a brief ministry, faithfully following the Lord’s instructions.
   The disciples were only to rely on the customary Jewish hospitality. This was an act of faith because many Jews would reject their message. Some would be afraid of the Pharisees and Sadducees, who could accuse them of believing in Jesus as the Christ and thus expel them from the synagogue (See John 9:22).
   If (when) some said, “You are not welcome here.” the disciples were to “shake the dust off their feet.”  This was a symbolic gesture of many Jews as they entered Judah’s borders from a pagan (not God-believing) country. To remove dust from one’s shoes was to remove any connection with unbelieving people.
   Jesus’ directive puts into action, “Come follow me.” His disciples are to follow Jesus in the manner of ministry. They are to rely only on the Father and the Holy Spirit for their physical lives and spiritual successes. The Lord will provide both as they drive out demons, heal people and preach the gospel.  
   So they go in faith. They have heard and seen the Lord in action. Could his wondrous, saving power transfer to them? In God’s power, their work, as we will see, begins to make an impression on even the most evil people in Galilee. This is the gospel spoken and lived in God’s authority.
 
Prayer: Send me, Father, into the world to preach your Word. I long to see your power save people unto you. Amen.

Luke 9:1-2 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 
 
MOST of us have heard, “We need to love people as Jesus loved.” This statement generally directs our thoughts to be loving, patient, kind, forgiving and gracious.
   We must also look at Jesus’ love through his directive to his disciples here. God’s love is agape (ä-gä′pā)’ – an active love. Jesus’ is activating his love with his command to “drive out all demons and to cure diseases”. In love, Jesus has pushed the “Start” button on his disciples’ work to love on others as he “sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”  
   In Jesus’ remarkable healings recorded in Luke 8 and his work here, we see a true, living image of that simple and beautiful children’s song, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” God’s great love for mankind shines forth in the gospel of salvation.
   Yes, we must recognize that the foundation of Jesus’ love here and throughout his ministry is “to preach the kingdom of God.” From the gospel, which is the good news of eternal salvation, comes the eternal agape love. Jesus’ preaching tells us we are sinners. He preached, Luke 13:5 “I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” And he preached, Mark 16:16 “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Jesus loves us so much, he tells us what is true and what is not.
   If we respond to his teaching, we are saved into the Kingdom of God. We can then learn to love as Jesus loved, growing more and more into patience, forgiveness, grace, submission and respect. We mature into loving God and loving others.
   Jesus’ directive to his disciples then is the same to you today. To be a disciple is to love people as Jesus loves you. Because the good news has saved you, you are then to eagerly respond to preach – tell, share, explain, teach – the gospel.
   Too often we equate, “Love as Jesus loved.” with being nice, polite and accepting of people’s wayward lives. I don’t know about you, but I’m glad he plainly tells us of his agape love in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
   Do you believe? Then go and love as Jesus.
 
Prayer: Help me, Holy Spirit, to love people enough to tell them the gospel. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Luke 8:52-56 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” 53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!”  55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.
 
T HIS is a good time to stop and remember what “gospel” means. “Gospel” is good news. In the past few readings, we have seen some remarkably good news wash over God’s people. Jesus has exorcised demons, restored a man to physical and mental health, healed a woman’s 12-year bleeding disorder and resurrected a dead girl.
   And as good as Jesus’ work was, these acts are but signs of God’s eternal gospel – his good news of salvation, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) The Son of God has destroyed death. He has ministered to ignite real change for real people who suffer in sin’s great penalties.
   Jesus, the Son of God, empowered with the Spirit of God, directed by the Father God, lived into the prophecy of salvation from Isaiah 61:1-2 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn. This is his ministry proclamation Luke 4:18-19 and Jesus has fulfilled the prophecy and proclamation. The Word of God has come alive.
   Can you grasp, then, the wonder of God’s love as Jesus said, “My child, get up!” These are the great words from God to cancel death. The Lord Jesus is telling his people, “I have come to save you from Satan’s deadly power over the earth.” He spoke with a Father’s words to give life to his child chosen for resurrection.
   This Father-child relationship is an expression of God’s eternal favor over all who call on Jesus’ salvation: John 1:11-13 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.  
   Know and believe the gospel of salvation. Truly it is the good news of God’s forever favor! It is his good news that tells you God promised a Savior. and God delivered his Savior.
   Do you believe the gospel is for your own life? Some people laughed at Jesus that day. They didn’t believe the little girl would live. Too many, even in the church today, do not believe in God’s gospel power. We sinfully believe, “We need more.”
    How could there be anything more than to hear, “My child, get up!”  
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for fulfilling your ministry on earth. Thank you, Spirit for resurrecting me to new life. Thank you, Father, I am your child forever. Amen.

Luke 8:51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, Jesus did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child's father and mother.
 
WHY did Jesus favor Peter, James and John to enter the house? Certainly the other disciples were with Jesus. Jesus also chose these three disciples to witness his Transfiguration (Matthew 17:2, Mark 9:2). Would this “inner circle” not cause some jealousy and division among the Twelve? We know James and John’s mother – Jesus’ aunt – believed her sons were destined for special Kingdom work. She sought Jesus’ favor for them in Matthew 20:21 “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” We also see this dispute among the Twelve in Mark 9:33-34 They came to Capernaum. When Jesus was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Perhaps you could call the disciples the Team of Rivals. Did such disputes occur because the Lord stirred jealousy and pride as he chose the three?
    Let’s remember that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. His leadership is perfect, and here we can see he was preparing Peter, James and John for unique leadership roles in the early church. Yes, all the disciples but Judas would become gospel apostles and evangelists. Most died under terrible persecutions against Christ. Their lives were fully committed to the gospel message.
   But God designed his church – and human government – to have leaders with unique skills and in special roles. Note the apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
   We can understand Jesus chose the three “inner circle” disciples to witness this resurrection and Jesus’ Transfiguration to prepare them for the transfigured (to be made more beautiful, to be elevated) lives they are about to experience in Jesus’ own resurrection. Peter will be the first preacher of the church. He becomes a model pastor, who also is the first to take the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 10). James’ leadership role is to be a martyr (Acts 12). Yes, many are given the role to die for Christ, so the Spirit would ignite new life into the world.
   John would live a long life to point the church to Jesus’ eternal glory through his sure faith displayed in the gospel, epistles and Revelation. These three would witness Jesus’ resurrection and heavenly glory to the other disciples and to the world with their faithful words and work. What we can see in these apostles’ lives is that they became men of great humility and submission to their great callings for Christ.
   Sometimes we might feel special or prideful to say, “I’m a disciple of Jesus Christ.” But this eternal favor has been placed on you for God’s reason, not your good works, abilities, talents or intelligence. As Jesus appointed the three and the others, the Spirit today has appointed you to a very personal relationship with the Father, Son and Spirit. This relationship requires a very humble response to say, “Here I am, Lord.” Are you so prepared to know and to live into your role?   
 
Prayer: Father, I am not worthy on my own to be Jesus’ disciple. In gratitude I accept my call. I rejoice to be in Jesus’ inner circle. Amen.

Luke 8:49-50 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don't bother the teacher any more.” 50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”
 
IS it easy to “just believe” when life is good? But what happens to our faith when God seems silent? There are, after all, so very many circumstances that cause us to truly fear for ours or others’ lives. What was Jairus’ thinking here? He had pleaded with Jesus to go to his very sick daughter. Then Jairus saw the crowds press against Jesus.
   Finally, Jairus and Jesus continue on their way. But then Jairus heard, “Your daughter is dead.” How does the distraught father now “just believe”?
   How often we ask, “Am I believing on the Lord?” when friends and family – when we – suffer tragedy. What do we say to those who are “just believing” amid great poverty, constant sickness and debilitating hunger? Can we truly tell a wife with a wayward husband or a parent with an addicted child, “Just believe.” Are we able to firmly stand on Jesus’ faith teaching here?
   We can if we “just believe” this: Romans 5:8-11 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. 
   Believing the gospel is the faith that saves us from all harm. Neither poverty, disease, hunger, infidelity nor addiction determine our eternal life. Jesus suffered physically and spiritually to the depth that surpasses our understanding. He did this to offer us the way to eternal healing, so we will not suffer the eternal torment of Hell.
To “just believe” God in all matters is a faith that believes in God the Father, Son and Spirit as the author of our lives and our salvation – even as we are born in sin’s death, separated from him. When Jesus told Jairus to “just believe” he pointed the grieving father to the eternal God to trust in his unending provision for our lives.
I pray that is our view. Earthly circumstances can be very, very faith-challenging and even faith destroying until we acknowledge the power, mercy and love God exhibited through the cross, empty tomb and ascension.
  What struggles and doubts do you face? Thank God his salvation is eternal. Be reconciled in Jesus. Confess your sins. Believe he forgives you. Believe in eternal life with him.
 
Prayer: Lord God, I believe in you. I am not afraid. I have faith. In your name, I pray. Amen.

Luke 8:43-48 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” 47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
 
WE take a second look at this Scripture to focus on one of the core faith statements of Christianity: As Jesus was on the earth, we believe Jesus is fully God, and Jesus is fully man. There is no compromise of being “half and half” or partially one while partially the other. To fulfill his role as Savior, it is essential our Lord carried these two natures in all their fullness. Certainly this truth is a mystery. This particular Scripture is a good place to grow our faith in this truth.
   First, Jesus walked into the crowd to press skin-to-skin with his own. In this humanity Jesus walked as we all do. He perhaps stumbles on a rock or has a thorn pierce his foot. Then see another human trait here. As fully man, Jesus asked, “Who touched me?”
   Then at the same time, see how this question leads to Jesus’ God nature. Our Lord, who spoke the world into existence (See John 1.) felt his creative power flow to heal someone. No power comes from man. No mere man would know someone in the pressing crowd purposefully touched him for healing.
  As Jesus ministered only in the Father’s will, Jesus chose times to manifest one nature or the other. For example, there is that profound moment in the Garden of Gethsemane when he submitted to his man nature (and human body) to the great cruelty of crucifixion. Hear his words in Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” The God-man submitted his human nature to death to glorify the Father and to save you. Out of his death, Jesus would become a living testimony of God’s power, grace and love to restore life. Jesus had the same purpose in this Scripture.
  As God, Jesus could certainly proclaim who touched him. Other Scriptures tell us he knew men’s thoughts and future circumstances. But here Jesus sought a woman’s response, so all the witnesses would see God’s salvation. When she heard the question, the healed woman fell in joy, praise and worship at Jesus’ feet. She became a living testimony of God’s power, grace and love to heal.
The woman’s faith is faith in action. Faith first caused her to touch Jesus. Second, her faith opened the way to her healing. Third, faith put her at the Master’s feet in worship and praise. The disciples, the crowd and Jairus witnessing this event would walk away and say, “Surely this is the work of God!” Out of Jesus’ human nature, God’s nature to restore his own was praised. God was glorified. Faith in God among the people of God grew that day.
 
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you lived perfectly to demonstrate your humanity and your Lordship over our lives. Open my mind to faithfully worship you. Amen.
 
 

Luke 8:43-48 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” 47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
 
SOMEONE is missing in this story. No one ever talks about him in this moment because the focus is on Jesus and the bleeding woman. But he’s here – right beside Jesus. And he might be getting very, very impatient.
   No, it’s not Peter. The “Let’s do it.” disciple would likely grab Jesus by the arm and urgently say, “Remember we’re on our way to Jairus’ sick daughter. There is no time to stop and heal someone else!” No, the missing one is Jairus, the synagogue ruler. Jairus has desperately approached Jesus to plead for his very sick daughter. Jesus went with him. Jairus likely was believing, “Jesus will take care of my daughter.”
   But suddenly it seems as if Jesus has forgotten who needs his urgent care. A woman in the pressing crowd touches Jesus. The Lord feels power surge from him, and Jesus stops to talk with her and praise her faith. Jairus must be getting very nervous. Perhaps it is a testimony to his faith the story doesn’t include Jairus compelling Jesus, “Let’s go.”
   Let’s learn this from Jairus: Be faithful to wait on Jesus. At that anxious moment, Jairus chose with patience and humility, to submit to Jesus’ timing. As a result, Jairus will ultimately see the most remarkable healing of all for his daughter.
   As written in Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Know that faith in God means we have patience and persistence to seek Jesus’ salvation and trust he will restore us and our loved ones as it is his time.
 
Prayer: “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in (your) word I put my hope.” (Psalm 130:5)
 

November 14
Pressing Need
 
Luke 8:42b As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him.
 
SEE the masses pressing on our Lord. Even though Jairus ruled over the town and the Lord ruled over all creation, the crowds pressed into the Healer.
   I’m wondering if we need to press more into our Lord? Let’s look at it this way: The people here had welcomed Jesus home. They did so because they were certain of his power to change their lives. Jesus’ reputation as the long-awaited Messiah was growing. Surely one with the power Jesus had demonstrated was the Christ. “to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: ‘Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.’” (Matthew 4:14-16) Yes, into the darkness a light was dawning – and the people pressed for more.
   Surely we do need to press more into Jesus. What would happen if our churches’ doors opened to crowds pressing to get in each Sabbath? How would God respond if mankind realized Jesus is “The Light of the world.” (John 8:12) and responded with excited anticipation to press into the gospel each day? Would our homes be better if dads pressed into God’s Word and taught it to their families?
   What would happen if our communities and nation were governed by men and women pressing into God’s power before they decided on any policy? Is it possible our businesses and schools would be more effective if managers and teachers pressed into the Bible for their rule of life?
   “Pressing” can mean to iron out the wrinkles. Let’s press into our Lord to remove the world’s disfiguring wrinkles. Let’s press into Jesus to experience his presence, his power and his providence over our lives.
 
Prayer: Lord God, knock down the barriers in our hearts that keep us from pressing into your joy, love, peace and forgiveness. May we feel the gentle, pressing light of your salvation. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
 

Luke 8:41-42 Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.
 
The synagogues were established to be Sabbath-day teaching places. They functioned much as the church is to be today to protect, proclaim and follow God’s Word. Jairus, the synagogue ruler, was one of several rulers who oversaw the care of God’s Word in the scrolls (We know these scrolls as the Old Testament.) in the synagogue. He also guided the Sabbath Day preaching from the scrolls and the community’s obedience to the scrolls. You might say he was God’s law enforcement officer. Jairus was not a man who would submit himself to anyone’s authority. He was the town’s authority.
   But then his daughter became deathly ill. What would he do? What could he do? The options were practically non-existent. Child mortality was high. Death seemed imminent.
   Then Jairus saw hope. There was an option after all. His name was Jesus, and he just walked into town. The news was that this wandering rabbi had healed many. Jairus perhaps remembered how the scrolls spoke of God’s promise of physical healing as in Isaiah 58:8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Should Jairus believe in such promises? Could he trust the reports about this Jesus of Nazareth? What was the source of Jesus’ authority? Some even said he did the devil’s work. What is there to do when one is desperate for God – listen to the doubts or hear from Heaven?
   Jairus (meaning “he will awaken”) would experience the Spirit’s awakening power. In need, he would humble himself before the Lord. He then took a faith step that day to plea to the Most High authority for his daughter. With the slightest light of hope, this man who protected the Word of God on the scrolls, went to the Living Word of God, who had walked into his town. He would discover, indeed, how God’s Word is alive to save.
  
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the Word made flesh. Grant to me a living faith that trusts you for each aspect of my life, especially those things that threaten the ones most dear to me. In your name I pray. Amen.
  

Luke 8:40 Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him.
 
YESTERDAY we saw Jesus’ work in the region of the Gerasenes as a synopsis of his ministry to proclaim the gospel, to heal through the gospel and to command us to go and tell the gospel. Perhaps we can look at this verse as a picture of Jesus completing the gospel message: He’s coming again.
   Just as we expect the Son to come at the time the Father has set, the people of Galilee were expecting Jesus to return to them. After all, he was one of them. Some were his family. They were ready and welcomed him.
   And why not? Consider Jesus had miraculously fed the many thousands. He had healed the blind, lame, leprous and deaf. Our Lord had spoken with great compassion for his people and certain authority against the evil forces imprisoning their lives. The Jews – and Gentiles, too – delighted in Jesus’ works and words. The people of Galilee then joyfully said, “Welcome home, Jesus of Nazareth!”
   Are you joyful to anticipate Jesus’ return? Certainly we should be! After all, we know more about Jesus than the people of Galilee then. We know Jesus has been crucified, killed and buried. We know he is risen from that tomb, ascended to Heaven and seated at God’s right hand. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus is alive to continue his teaching, healing, saving work in his sovereign power.  
   Even more, in the wonder of the Holy Trinity, we do not need to wait to welcome Jesus. We can spiritually welcome Jesus daily and constantly into our lives, homes, communities and churches. Yes, rejoice in Jesus’ promise from John 14:15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
    Under the Father, Jesus is our brother. He is our Redeemer. He is our King and our Good Shepherd. Saved in the gospel, we are in his Kingdom, awaiting his return in glory and power. Anticipate the joy of living with him forever. Be ready to welcome him when he comes back to the world.
 
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am looking forward to the day you come again. Amen.