In this journey of faith in Christ, we often encounter what seem to be paradoxes that challenge our understanding. One such case is in how the Kingdom of God operates: it’s both mysteriously hidden and remarkably clear, creating distinct divisions among those who encounter it. Through Luke’s account in this week’s passage, we see how Jesus used parables to reveal truth about His Kingdom.
Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.
And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.
“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”
Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
Luke 8:1-21
Jesus: the Mystery and the Key
If God gives us a door through which to walk into His Kingdom, the mystery of Christ is the key that unlocks it. He Himself is the hope of glory.
It’s interesting that other places in Scripture refer to Jesus as the “mystery.” This week’s passage introduces two parables—proverbs and illustrations that reveal a truth about the Kingdom and give us the lens to see who Jesus is and what He does in His lordship. These parables create a sharp divide. Jesus equips His disciples with the mystery of His gospel and sends them out to share it.
The Division of the Kingdom Is Clear For…
Those Who Are All In With Jesus (v. 1-3)
The passage begins by introducing us to an oft-overlooked group: the women who supported Jesus’ ministry. These weren’t casual followers, but individuals who had experienced transformation through Jesus’ ministry. Mary Magdalene, freed from the grip of seven demons, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, along with many others, didn’t just intellectually assent to Jesus’ message. They invested their resources in its advancement, footing the bill for gospel proclamation. Their commitment was anything but half-hearted. They were “all in” with both their lives and their means because they had been transformed by the person and work of Jesus.
Those Who Are Transformed by the Word (v. 4-15)
When we refer to “the Word,” most of us probably think first about the Bible and its contents. This is true, but we can turn to the opening mystery of John’s gospel account: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Jesus Himself is the Word.
Jesus tells us that the liberally-sown gospel message will surely land in all kinds of places. The people we encounter may appear rebellious, hard-hearted, or uninterested in the good news, but we are to cast the light out everywhere we possibly can.
Some hearts are hardened and the message never takes root. Though their ears hear, their hearts do not receive. Still, we share the gospel.
Some receive the Word with initial excitement but are not changed. They seem to be excited about the truth but don’t ultimately root themselves in it. Still, we share the gospel.
Some allow life’s worries and pleasures to choke out the possibility of bearing spiritual fruit. They go on their way and are consumed by the cares and riches of selfishness or the mundane routines of life. Still, we share the gospel.
When the seed is cast on good soil, God reveals His power to faithfully cultivate that seed to the point of rich, hundredfold harvest and lasting fruit. Though we do not see signposts directing us to whom we should preach the good news of Christ’s gospel, we are to preach it liberally. What a joy it is that our sovereign Lord chooses to use us as instruments to redeem His people.
There’s a sharp distinction between those who receive the mystery of the gospel and hold onto it for dear life and those who reject or try to add to His gospel, ultimately missing the mark through the pursuit of moral progress apart from the good news of His Kingdom.
Those Who Are Laser-Focused On the Gospel (v. 16-18)
Jesus then uses the metaphor of light to emphasize the importance of properly handling the gospel message. God’s grace is like a light that illuminates dark places, exposing everything it touches. This calls for serious attention to how we hear and share this message. The focus must remain on grace.
We cannot move past grace or try to supplement it. The light of grace cannot be faked or mustered up within ourselves. It grows in hearts that God has brought from death to life, gradually dispelling darkness more and more as the Spirit sanctifies, shapes, and molds us further into the image of the Son.
Those Who Are Jesus’ Spiritual Family by Faith (v. 19-21)
When told that His mother and brothers were outside waiting and held back by the busyness of the crowd, Jesus declares that His true family consists of those who hear God’s Word and put it into practice. These words aren’t a repudiation of His earthly family, but a declaration that His service to God and His work as Messiah is more urgent than natural relation. Those who hear and heed God’s Word belong to Jesus’ family.
The Call: Be All In
Jesus remains the key to entering the Kingdom of God. We do not enter through religious performance or moral achievement, but through faith in His finished work on the cross and His resurrection.
This Kingdom extends a welcome to we, the needy, even when we recognize we are at our worst and darkest outside of Christ. Be “all in” on His grace. Be about advancing His gospel. The mystery of the Kingdom invites commitment to the One who is Himself our hope of glory and the giver of all we need to persevere in faith.
This article is a recap of a sermon preached by Pastor Hunter Sipe at Good Shepherd Bible Church on Sunday, February 9, 2025 entitled Mystery & Division in the Kingdom. This sermon continues our expositional series on Luke’s gospel entitled Luke: Good News for the Rest of Us. This sermon and others are available for listening on the Good Shepherd Bible Church Sermon Podcast.
Good Shepherd Bible Church is an Acts 29 church located in Pataskala, OH serving the eastern Columbus area.
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