What Jesus Did

Then Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they couldn't get to him because of the crowd. Someone told Jesus, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they want to see you." Jesus replied, "My mother and my brothers are all those who hear God's word and obey it."

—Luke 8:19-21 NLT

Key Thought


You can be a part of Jesus' true family! You can be Jesus' brother or sister! God presented this gift to us as his way of grace. The word grace actually...

 

[Jesus said,] "No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all. So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they...

 

[Jesus concluded his explanation of the parable of the sower and the seeds:] "And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God's word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest."

—Luke 8:15 NLT

Key Thought


Good soil! That's what the message of Jesus, the gospel of the Kingdom of God, is looking to find. What is that good soil? It is a heart that is open, honest, and good — a heart that is genuinely searching for...

 

[Jesus continued his explanation of the parable of the sower and the seeds:] "The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity."

—Luke 8:14 NLT

Key Thought


We live in a busy time. Most who can read this devotional on a computer or mobile device have more things than most people who lived before us could...

 

[Jesus continued his explanation of the parable of the sower and the seeds:] "The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don't have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation."

—Luke 8:13 NLT

Key Thought


Sometimes the gospel starts up in our hearts, but things get too tough. The evil one brings his times of testing. Difficulties in life mount. Friends reject us...

 

[Jesus said,] "This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God's word. The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved."

—Luke 8:11-12 NLT

Key Thought


As we share the message of Jesus, we need to know that there are all sorts of forces, powers, and people who will seek to destroy, corrupt, and negate that message in the...

 

[Jesus told this story:] "A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been...

 

One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him:...

—Luke 8:4 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus used stories to help drive home his message, to plant seeds to help people remember divine truths, or to help give his hearers insights. Stories provide a powerful part of the Master's ministry. Stories are powerful and stick in our hearts. Much of the Bible was written in the language of a story. A huge portion of the...

 

Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.

—Luke 8:1-3...

 

Then Jesus said to the woman [who anointed him while he was having dinner at the Pharisee's house], "Your sins are forgiven." The men at the table said among themselves, "Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?" And Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

—Luke 7:48-50 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus, our Savior, says, "Your sins are forgiven" and "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." Can you think of anything sweeter...