v1: The Twelve were with Him. This chapter teaches and illustrates obedience to God, and the authority of Christ.

We see also the preparation of the Twelve. Soon they would be sent out (9.1). And then in 10.1, the 70 were sent out. Here is the start of the mission to take the message of Christ to the whole world.

v2-3: Men and women had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities. Women now followed Jesus and provided for Him. However, no women were counted among the Twelve.

v4-8: The people gathered together. The Lord Jesus taught the parable of the seeds. He is the sower, broadcasting the message. The seed, the gospel, has power in itself. The message was directed at a large crowd, with mixed responses.

The sinful woman was "good soil"; Jesus knew "what kind of woman she is" (7.39).

v9-10: Not all will understand and believe. We need a spiritual mind, that we might understand spiritual things. The parables actually prevented the unspiritual from understanding. God's truths are precious to the believer, but nonsense to the unbeliever. Although Jesus used everyday pictures, which would remain in people's minds, the meaning was to be understood spiritually.

v11-15: The explanation to the disciples; see Mark 4.10; those around with the Twelve asked for the meaning of the parable. Thus there is a distinction between the seeker, and the unbeliever.

In a clear way, the parable speaks of obedience to the word of God. The faithful hearer, the good soil, hears the word and obeys it. There are, however, reasons why this does not happen with all people;

• the seed on the wayside / path; the word is quickly snatched away, totally unreceptive;
• the seed amongst rocks; the word without depth or root;
• the seed among thorns; the word in competition with other things; ultimately other things are preferred.
• The good soil, a noble and good heart; hears the word, retains it, and bears fruit.

v16-18: The lamp on a stand; the Lord is looking for a proper response from us, of obedience and faith. We are responsible how we hear God's word. We understand also that the Holy Spirit illumines spiritual truth for us.

Matthew speaks of a lamp (Matt 5.15), but uses it in a different way. Mark also records this parable (Mark 4.21-24). We can obscure the light by other demands in our lives, like the seed sown among thorns (v7, 14).

v19-21: Only those who obey God's word are fruitful; Jesus owns them as His brethren; this is a test of true faith.

From 6.42, we see that gratitude to God motivates us to obedient living. The more we realise who Jesus is, and what He has done for us, the more we love Him and obey Him.

v22-23: The Lord Jesus fell asleep in the daytime, indicating that He was tired, from His labours. He was also not afraid of death.

v24: Jesus showed His power over nature; the creator and sustainer of all things has continuing power over all things.

v25: There was a rebuke for the disciples' unbelief, yet Christ still performed the miracle; He was not limited by their unbelief. Our faith must be in God, not in our own abilities.

The disciples were amazed, seeing Christ calm the storm. Such power was beyond their imaginings.

v26: Luke explains where the region of the Gerasenes is; contrast Matt 8.28, where Matthew's Jewish readers would have been expected to know.

v27: Christ's concern for an individual, even though he was despised and dismissed by others. Where others would pass by, the Lord would stop and show compassion (10.33). This is a theme throughout Luke's gospel.

v28-29: The description of the effect of the demons; the man was destructive and uncontrolled.

The Lord commanded the demons to come out;

• even the demons believe, and tremble;
• they immediately realised the greater power of the Son of God;
• they were fearful of what He might to do them;
• there was no detailed discussion about demons, or about how to recognise them;
• there was no argument, just a command.

Christ's victory over the powers of darkness was achieved at the cross. We must have confidence in Christ, so that we may enjoy that victory in our lives.

v30-31: Jesus' authority over the demon; He demanded its name, or their names; they continued to fear His power.

v32-33: The presence of pigs, being unclean, suggests that the owners were not faithful Jews. The destructive power of the demons was seen in the pigs' suicidal dash over the steep bank. Again, the greater power of Christ is manifest. The more important issue was the deliverance of one man.

v34-36: There were witnesses to the incident; they went to the town, and reported what had happened. The people were afraid, seeing the man, now calm, sitting at Jesus' feet. This was no ordinary itinerant preacher, this was the Son of God. Sometimes people fear sanity more than they do madness.

v37: Their response was to ask Jesus to leave their region. They perhaps preferred the demoniac to the godly.

v38-39: The call to obedience. Jesus instructed the man to declare what great things God had done for him. The words here clearly identify Jesus as God; who had done so much for this man.

It is striking that Jesus crossed the lake for this single man.

v40: Jesus returned to Galilee. At this stage in His ministry, there was generally a crowd to welcome Him;

• Jesus always saw a reaction;
• The people were expectant;
• The people were never disappointed, although they may have been surprised;
• Many were amazed and astonished.

Later, many rejected Him, even having witnessed His miracles. But no one could ignore Him.

v41-42: Although Jesus cared for the poor and the outcast, He did not ignore the noble or influential (1 Cor 1.26).

Jairus was the ruler of the synagogue, but he was no more or less 'important' to Jesus than the woman with the flow of blood; each was a "bruised reed."

v43-44: The woman with the flow of blood. She was considered unclean, Lev 15.25-27; the O.T. law was generally applied in an uncaring way. Doubtless she felt her own unworthiness; probably she was rejected by others. She had faith in Jesus, that He could heal her. Do we have similar confidence in His power?

She had also discovered that the many physicians of the world could not help. There are many alternatives to Jesus in this world. But they fall far short of His power and grace. Luke the physician comments that there was a 'touch.' He uses the word 5 times here. Evidently the beloved doctor was amazed that Christ could heal merly by a touch.

v45-46: Power went out of Jesus when the women touched Him; power to do good, to change lives. This power was without limit. This indicates too the real cost in performing miracles.

v47: The woman saw that she was clearly known to Jesus; His question was not because He did not know, but to give her the opportunity to testify of His power.

The woman stepped forward to give her testimony; the outcast was given attention and respect and dignity. Even Jairus was present at this incident; perhaps there was something for Him to learn also.

v48: The Lord commended her faith.

v49: Meanwhile, Jairus' daughter had died. As with the delay going to Lazarus' tomb, Jesus was fully in control. Death was the final enemy, 'surely Jesus could not raise the dead'; such was the opinion of the people from Jairus' house.

v50: Jesus' words to Jairus, "Just believe."

v51: Just a few witnessed the miracle, in contrast to the woman in the crowd, although many knew of its reality, for they knew that the girl had died.

v52-53: There was disbelief, even mockery, when Jesus stated His intention. They lacked respect for Jesus and His words.

v54: In spite of unbelief around Him, Jesus spoke a few words, and raised the girl. Again, His power is demonstrated with compassion.

v55-56: The girl immediately arose.

When Jesus gave the disciples power (ch 9), these events would have been fresh in their minds; they would be able to do the works of Jesus. They had also learned the 'how' and the 'why' as well as the 'what';

they were empowered to do what Jesus did;

they needed to reflect His character, how He did it; and

they proclaimed the gospel of Christ; why He did it.