Luke and the Lost

WATCH ME while I do it.
Do it WITH ME.
You do it while I watch you.
Now YOU DO IT.

I have always relied on these four steps in training someone else to do what I have been doing. I celebrate when they accomplish the task better than the way I did it! There is extreme joy in my heart watching someone grow in their abilities to accomplish the task. What’s really over the top for me, is to see THEM use the steps to train someone else and take joy in seeing others do it, too! It’s a never-ending round. This teaching tool that should be a standard for training in all areas of life comes from the Master Teacher, Jesus Christ.

In this next passage, Luke now shows us WHY Jesus came and HOW He accomplished so much in only three short years of earthly ministry. He outlines the plan, the support behind the scenes, and how he trained those who joined the traveling band led by Jesus and The Twelve. He trained them as they “traveled along”.

The miraculous healings, the feedings and confrontational control of evil were side ministries compared to the main reason He left his throne in heaven where His Father, God resides. Jesus came to seek and to save lost people, to preach “according to plan” in exponential ways by training His disciples to watch Him, to do it with Him, to do it while He was here on earth to watch over them, and then later commissions them to “GO and TEACH” when He leaves earth. The relentless FOCUS is to spread the news of The Message of God’s Kingdom, His compassion ways, His love and His longing from His people to love Him back and for His people to love each other. Jesus teaches with stories that are engaging, pulls the people in by starting where they are and then taking them where He would like for them to be. Read, listen and understand…this is GREAT stuff!

Luke 8, The Message
8 1-3 He continued according to plan, traveled to town after town, village after village, preaching God’s kingdom, spreading the Message. The Twelve were with him. There were also some women in their company who had been healed of various evil afflictions and illnesses: Mary, the one called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod’s manager; and Susanna—along with many others who used their considerable means to provide for the company.

The Story of the Seeds
4-8 As they went from town to town, a lot of people joined in and traveled along. He addressed them, using this story: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. Some of it fell on the road; it was tramped down and the birds ate it. Other seed fell in the gravel; it sprouted, but withered because it didn’t have good roots. Other seed fell in the weeds; the weeds grew with it and strangled it. Other seed fell in rich earth and produced a bumper crop.

“Are you listening to this? Really listening?”

9 His disciples asked, “Why did you tell this story?”

10 He said, “You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom—you know how it works. There are others who need stories. But even with stories some of them aren’t going to get it:

Their eyes are open but don’t see a thing,
Their ears are open but don’t hear a thing.
11-12 “This story is about some of those people. The seed is the Word of God. The seeds on the road are those who hear the Word, but no sooner do they hear it than the Devil snatches it from them so they won’t believe and be saved.

13 “The seeds in the gravel are those who hear with enthusiasm, but the enthusiasm doesn’t go very deep. It’s only another fad, and the moment there’s trouble it’s gone.

14 “And the seed that fell in the weeds—well, these are the ones who hear, but then the seed is crowded out and nothing comes of it as they go about their lives worrying about tomorrow, making money, and having fun.

15 “But the seed in the good earth—these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there’s a harvest.
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“Are you listening to this? Really listening?” –Jesus

Isn’t God’s Word amazing! He personally speaks to our hearts through His Word to us. He brings us back to focus on the main thing of our lives–His salvation. Then He challenges us to do the same as Jesus taught The Twelve to be and do…help others know Him, too. Jesus saves. Only Jesus saves. We are merely His hands and feet, with the power of the Holy Spirit living in and through us who help others to see and know that Jesus saves.

Dear Heavenly Father, I could spend all day in Your Word, but that is not possible and that is not what you have asked us to be and do. We come each morning to BE with you, then You send us out to a hurting desperate world. We go where we are employed to work, teach, or manage our household, to the grocery store and other places of business. We plant seeds of Your words of kindness in all kinds of soil. We must go and be available to who needs You, Your touch through us, your words of love that speak from us so that they might be encouraged to know you more. Oh Lord, You teach us well. Thank you! Continue to be with us…
In Jesus Name, Amen