A Walk with Jesus: Lesson 12

This lesson concludes Jesus’ “Year of Popularity.”  His year ends with His third tour of Galilee from His Capernaum base of operations.  We are going to skip many parables in our discussion, not that they aren’t important, but because there are so many.  I would ask each of you to read and study this period’s parables on your own.  The table below lists those parables and their location(s).

Jesus was moving from one town to another (Luke 8:1). We are told that many people continued to follow Jesus. Read Luke 8:1-3 and list the specific people mentioned.

• ___________________________
• ___________________________
• ___________________________
• ___________________________
• ___________________________

What does verse four tell us about their mission and purpose of accompanying Jesus?

Facts on the women:

Mary Magdalene. Magdala was an important agricultural, fishing, and trade center of ancient Galilee. Mark 16:9 and Luke 8:2 indicate that this Mary, from Magdala, was exorcised of some seven demons. In antiquity, demon possession was an indication of physical or spiritual illness; obviously, Mary Magdalene was quite ill before her encounter with Jesus. Mary eventually became part of an inner circle of supporters of Jesus.

Joanna. One of the women whom Jesus had healed and who ministered to Him out of their own private means. She was the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza. Luke’s Gospel, which gives particular prominence to women, also mentions her in 24:10. She was one of the women who came to Jesus’ tomb on the Sunday following the crucifixion and reported to the eleven the message that He had risen.

Susanna.  Nothing known about this woman, nor is she mentioned elsewhere in Scripture.

Jesus’ family attempts to see Him (Luke 8:19-21)

• It is interesting to note that the crowd was so large that His family could not even get close. Jesus was evidently inside someplace because Luke tells us that “they were outside.”
• Jesus reminded the crowd that His family was much larger than His birth mother and His brothers. Why do you think it’s important that Jesus told the large crowd exactly how important they were? How does that make you feel to be in Jesus’ family?
• Go to Romans 8:17. Complete Paul’s description of this great family relationship.
  • By God’s Holy Spirit we become ___________________________of God.
  • Then if we are _______________________, then we are also __________________.
  • As __________________of God, then we are also ______________________of Christ.
  • As __________________, we share in His ____________________and His ________________.

Jesus calms the storm. (Luke 8:22-25)

• Verse twenty-two tells us that they were going to the other side of the lake. The lake  Gennesaret, a/k/a Sea of Galilee. They were leaving Capernaum and eventually landed near Gergesa. (Some maps may show Gerasa)
• Describe the scene here.
  • What is Jesus doing?_____________________________
  • The conditions?________________________________
• We are told here that our Lord “reburked” the wind and the raging waters. Some might say that He calmed two storms. What was the other storm?  What storms have come into your life like a squall? And how did your faith help you calm the storm?

Jesus and the demon-possessed man. (Luke 8:26-38)

• This story is somewhat different from previous encounters. The eastern side of the Sea of Galilee was generally Gentile country. This region is called by two different names in the various gospel accounts. (See Matthew 8:28) The exact location varies depending on which city location is mentioned (Gardara, Gerasa, or Gergesa).
• A demon-possessed man approaches Jesus immediately as He disembarks from His boat. How does the man address Jesus?
• What was unusual about the man’s question in verse twenty-eight?
• Jesus has control over all things, evil and good. In this case, Jesus drove out the demons into a herd of pigs. Examine verse thirty-one to see what the demons want to avoid. What other term do we call the Abyss?
• This story demonstrates that while Satan continues to roam the earth using all kinds of demons, our Lord has dominion over everything.
• What was the people’s reaction to this miracle? And the reaction of the healed man?  How much has Jesus done for you?

Jesus returns to Capernaum (Luke 8:40-56)

• Two miracles are described in this last recorded event during Jesus’ year of popularity.
  • __________________________
  • __________________________
• Describe the scene from verse forty as Jesus and His disciples arrive back to Capernaum.
• As Jesus walks to Jairus’ house to see his 12-year old daughter, we are told about a woman who had been sick for twelve years with a bleeding disorder. Mark’s version tells us (Mark 5) that the woman said, “If you can just touch His clothes.” Describe the faith in this statement by the woman.
• Jesus said, “Who touched me?” After a short pause, the woman came to Jesus and confessed it was she who touched Him. How does Jesus reply to her statement of healing in verse forty-eight?
• When Jesus arrives at the home of Jairus, the girl had already died. Jesus uses spiritual language here about the girl’s condition – asleep versus dead.  Describe the difference.

Next lesson will enter a new phase, “Year of Opposition.”  During this time, Jesus will travel beyond the Promised Land to Phoenicia, Decapolis and other places.  He feeds multitudes, continues to teach and appears glorious with Moses and Elijah among other things.  The year concludes with the Feast of Dedication prior to His departure to Jerusalem where he spends his last time.

Tracing our Steps.  Let’s use this time to trace our walk with Jesus.  Think about this time in His life and remembering what He did for you and me.  Use this space to jot down your feelings about your walk today