This article is an exposition of Luke 8, and concludes with discussion questions on the material.

13 pages.

Luke 8 – Christ and the Growth of His Messianic Ministry

Constant Growth in the Kingdom of Heaven (8:1-18)🔗

1After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

4While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

When he said this, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

9His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that,
“‘though seeing, they may not see;
 though hearing, they may not understand.’

11“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

16“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. 17For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 18Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.”Luke 8:1-18

The Parable of the Sower🔗

This chapter gives us information about the continuing teaching of the Lord as he moves from place to place in Galilee, with his disciples, and also with various women, “Proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God” (8:1-3). I plan to return to these verses later.

Luke 8 also gives us the parable of the sower. We sense that there is here a turning point. By way of general introduction we may note that the Lord used more parables, only some of which are included by Luke in his account There is not in Luke’s Gospel a lengthy reference to  the prophesies of old about speaking in parables, but Luke does give some information in 8:10, which we will discuss first. Luke has mentioned already that Christ used parables (5:36) but here in this verse it seems to be a (new) style that he employed from then on.

When his disciples ask him what the meaning of the parable is, he answers, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables so that ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing they may not understand” (7:9, 10).

We find a more elaborate explanation of the use of parables in Matthew 13, where also the parable of the Sower is presented. In the account of Matthew 13 there is a more direct question regarding the use of parables, “The disciples came to him and asked him, ‘Why do you speak to the people in parables?’” (Matthew 13:10) This is followed by a lengthy quote from Isaiah 6:9, 10.  Perhaps it is good to determine first what a parable is and how it functions.

The word “parable” is defined as follows, “A usually short fictitious story that illustrates a moral attitude or a religious principle.”1It may be fictitious but it is based on observable realities. Still, the effect of a parable is that it is difficult to accept. It is not that the parables are extremely difficult. Perhaps the opposite is true: the parables are so simple and clear that many hearers are unable to understand it or unwilling to embrace it. You either love it or hate it.

This “not understanding” of the parables is to be seen as a judgment of God.  People are blinded and deaf, “though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand” (8:10). This preaching only brings forth more unbelief and opposition.

The disciples, who are believers and followers of Christ, have been given the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God. Secrets are things not known before but now revealed.  Since the Jews do not accept these “secrets”, Christ now uses another form of teaching, namely parables.

The use of parables is a form of exercising judgment. Greijdanus points out that there is in the use of parables also still a measure of grace. The parables contain deep truths, and can be understood if believed2. But the knife cuts both ways: the parables are so simple that their true meaning can remain hidden.

The parable of the sower tells us about a farmer who is sowing seed in his fields. The seed was gently spread out by hand. Some of it fell into good, soft soil. Other seeds fell on the path (and were trampled upon), on the rocky ground, or among the thorns. The point is that only a small portion of the seed grows to a crop “a hundred times more than was sown” (8:8). 

When the disciples come to the Lord for further explanation, he gives them the meaning. The Sower is God.

The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the Word from their hearts so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a little while, but in the time of testing, they fall away. The seeds that fell among thorns stands for those who hear but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil indicates those with noble and good hearts, who hear the word and retain it, and by perseverance produce a crop.8:11-15

All this can be observed from daily life. There really is no way to deny the truth of the parable. But it will be rejected by many who are offended at Christ. If they do not believe in Christ they will not see the truth contained in his words.

We must note that in the parable of the sower there is still a “crop”. Despite the great opposition and massive rejection, there are still believers. The crop is found with those of “a noble and good heart” (8:15). This does not imply that some people are better than others or that regeneration is not required.  The Holy Spirit must work this response in the hearers’ hearts. That is mentioned elsewhere in Scripture. The point is not that some people are better than others; the point is that the seed does produce a mature and bountiful harvest “a hundred times more than was sown” (8:8). It’s about the greatness of God, not the goodness of man.

The Parable of the Lamp on a Stand (Luke 8:16-18)🔗

The parable of the lamp on a stand stresses that faith is necessary and that people should therefore be careful how they listen. Whatever is hidden will be disclosed. The lamp that has been lit is placed high on a stand so that it makes everything visible. We must be very careful how we react to the Word of God. We need to pay good attention when God’s Word is proclaimed and not fool ourselves with the thought that we will get away with sin.

It would be foolish to say: well, the Word is too difficult for me to understand, so I may reject it. Even when Christ speaks in parables, we are not off the hook. We must develop a good ear for the secret things and the simple things. Those who do not work carefully with the Word will find one day that they have nothing on which to stand. Their self-conceived wisdom and intricate philosophies will not save them. I am reminded of Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Without that Word all is dark.

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers (Luke 8:19-21)🔗

19Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. 20Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”

21He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”Luke 8:19-21

It is specifically in this context of sowing and hearing that Luke writes about Jesus’ family, his mother and brothers, who come to visit him. This visit was probably when Christ was in a house in Capernaum, so that family members were able to travel from Nazareth to see him. We do not read in Luke of the reason why his mother and brothers come to him.

Mark gives us some more information on this point. In Mark 3:20, 21 we read that Jesus and his disciples are in a house with so many people around that he and his disciples could not even eat. The place was packed. “When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, ‘he is out of his mind.’”

He’s crazy. The Pharisees have chosen against Jesus, the people are confused, and uproar may result. Jesus has apparently gone too far in calling himself the Son of God, or allowing others to make this conclusion, and this matter is getting out of hand. His relatives must take charge of him before it is too late. At this point, as John writes, “Even his own brothers did not believe in him” (John 7:5).Time for an intervention.

And so they come to the house, but cannot get in because of the multitudes. Therefore they send in word that they wish to speak with him. Talk some sense into him, perhaps. They are sincerely concerned about Jesus’ well-being. Sometimes people who are sincere can be sincerely wrong.

What should we expect from the Lord when he gets the message that his mother and brothers are outside waiting for him? Family is important. You cannot simply ignore your mother or mother-in-law. As the oldest brother, Jesus has to set an example, honor his mother, and speak with his brothers.

The Lord uses this moment to make a very strong teaching point. Someone said: “Your mother and brothers are standing outside”. What will he do? “He replied, ‘My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice’” (8:19-21). He pointed to the people sitting around him.

Our Lord does not say that family ties and physical relationships are unimportant. But he does stress the spiritual relationship. Real family is found among those who hear the Word and put it into practice.  At this point his brothers do not (yet) believe in him. His mother does not yet understand the special calling of her son. But the message is very clear: real fellowship can be experienced only with true believers.

Homiletical Horizons🔗

It is good to stress that family ties are very important. Who know us better and love us more than our own relatives, especially parents, children, and siblings? Our family is the first and last line of defence. In Jesus’ time families and neighbors were close and watchful.

At the same time, we may not be controlled by a family’s wishes. People sometimes do things for their family’s sake, even though this militates against God’s Word. Sometimes the greatest danger can come from within one’s own household, when relatives seek to keep us from God’s way. 

There is a fine line here. We must acknowledge family ties but are bound only by God’s Word. There are many families that have major problems. It is important to be gentle and firm. Later we find that Jesus’ brothers changed their view and became leaders in the church. We also see Mary at the foot of the cross, staying with him to the end and then seeing her resurrected Saviour.

Let us not lose hope over estranged and unfaithful family members. In the course of time, things can change. Let us always surround them with our prayer and commend them into the hands of God. Let us, if we have opportunity, continue to call them to repentance. This must be done in love, or it will fall on deaf ears.

From Galilee to the Gerasenes (Luke 8:22-39)🔗

22One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

24The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25“Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

26They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee.  27When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs.  28When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!”  29For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.

30Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”

“Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him.  31And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.

32A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into them, and he gave them permission.  33When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

34When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, 35and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 36Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. 37Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.  

38The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39“Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.Luke 8:22-39

In the Land of the Gerasenes🔗

I am taking the two accounts together, for the crossing of the Sea of Galilee and the healing of the demoniac are closely related. Jesus is focused on the land and people of the Gerasenes. He crosses the Sea of Galilee to the land of the Gerasenes and then returns to the shores of Galilee where new challenges await him.

Jesus Calms the Storm (Luke 8:22-25)🔗

“One day Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let’s go over to the other side of the lake’” (8:22). The text does not give us any reason for crossing. We do read that Jesus, when they were sailing, fell asleep. He must have been exhausted, for he had taught at length and healed many sick people. Perhaps he needed some time to recuperate.

We see here an impressive contrast. At one moment Jesus is sleeping in a very deep sleep; at the next moment we see him standing, rebuking the wind. The Sea of Galilee is famous for its severe squalls which can arise at any moment. This one is so severe that the boat was being swamped.

Finally the disciples awake the Lord. There is nothing wrong with that. But Mark tells us what they actually said to the Lord. And what they say must have hurt the Lord deeply, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (Mark 4:35-41). Of course Jesus cares! He has already proven countless times how much he cares.

Here we see something unique: the deep truth of the two natures of Christ. He is truly man, so tired that he falls into a deep sleep. God does not sleep or slumber. Think of Psalm 121:4, “He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” At the same time, he is Lord of all creation. He stands up immediately with full strength and rebukes the wind and the raging waters. The storm subsided and all was calm.

Did the disciples understand? He simply asked his disciples, “Where is your faith?” Did they not know for sure that he would save them? Understandably, the disciples were in fear and amazement. Awe struck. “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” (8:25) He heals those who are ill, governs all of life, and indeed who else is this man than the Messiah of God?  Jesus is sovereign God.

The Healing of the Demon-Possessed Man (Luke 8:26-39)🔗

The boat arrives safely at the other shore of Galilee; the area of the Gerasenes. There is some difficulty with the exact name of the place and people. Matthew writes about the region of the Gadarenes. This is identified by some with the town of Gadara, six miles south-east of the Sea of Galilee. Mark and Luke write that Jesus and his disciples went to region of the Gerasenes. Some manuscripts have the name Gergasenes, probably an attempt to reconcile the two traditions.

In any case, we know what general area is meant. Perhaps of greater difficulty is the fact that Matthew tells us about two demon-possessed men while Mark and Luke write about one possessed man. The versions of Mark and Luke are considered authentic by most explainers, and the difference with Matthew may be because of the fact that there were perhaps more than one possessed man in the tombs

Upon disembarking, Jesus meets a man who is possessed by demons. This man is raging-naked and lives in the tombs which were in that area. At one time he still lived in a house in the town, but his condition had regressed to the extent that he now lives alone among the dead. He cannot live among people for he is a danger to them and they are a danger to him.

Words fail to describe the spiritual, mental, and physical state of this terrorized man. This is probably by far the worst case of demon-possession that Jesus has seen. People could not get near to the man because of his rage and power.

But Jesus stepped ashore and was met by this demon-possessed man. We read, “When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!’” (8:28)

It says, “For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man.” (8:29). The possessed man had come running up to Jesus and his company, intending to do them harm, but Jesus had immediately put this demon under his power.

The demon was very powerful. Luke tells us that he really governed the possessed man completely, for the man had often been chained hand and foot, and kept under guard, but had been enabled to break his chains and was driven into solitary places (8:29).  Perhaps this was the first time that the demoniac had come to rest at someone’s feet.

The demon is still there. Some explainers feel that the demon and the others with him had first resisted being cast out and even then still resisted the Lord.3Perhaps this uncommonly strong resistance led the Lord to ask, “What is your name?” (8:30)

The question is directed to the demon via the once-possessed man. “‘Legion’ he replied, because many demons had gone into him.” (8:30) The man had been possessed by multiple demons. This shows us that we must never underestimate the devil and his cronies.

From Revelation 12 we read about the rebellion in heaven where one third of the angels follow Satan.  This is a large number, and it need not surprise us that this demon answers: my name is Legion. The word “legion” is the word used for a basic army unit of six thousand men, a large company or division. Did the demon want to make Jesus apprehensive because of the sheer number of demons with him, at least six-thousand?

Despite their number, however, they are under Christ’s control. And even now the demons still have a request. It demonstrates how bold they are.

Notice the request they dare to present, “Do not order us to go into the Abyss.” The Abyss is mentioned prominently is Revelation 9:1 ff. where it is described as a “gigantic furnace” (Revelation 9:2). Not a pleasant place. This word denotes the place where demons were held during the last days.

It says that the demons here begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go in the Abyss. They acknowledge that if he desires he can order them into the abyss and they would have to go. The demons that drove men and women to great agony cannot stand much pain themselves. They are really scared of what awaits in the Abyss.

There happened to be a large herd of pigs foraging on the hillside nearby (8:32). The demons begged Jesus to let them enter the herd of pigs.  There may be some poetic humor here. For pigs were unclean animals for the Jews, and the evil spirits belong in a herd of unclean animals. This is allowed to happen and all the demons leave the possessed man and go into the pigs.

Something surprising happens. The pigs go nuts. The herd of pigs rushes headlong down the embankment, falls into the lake, and is drowned (8:33). Again the demons are without a home. Luke does not mention where the demons went next, but it may have been from the pigs into the Abyss.

This account still has some salient points. Was this herd the property of Jews living in the border regions? This is not likely because Jews do not raise or eat pigs. Some explainers suggest that the herdsman may have been a Jew but there is nothing to support this. We do read, however, that the people of the town, having heard what has happened, come to Jesus, see the formerly possessed man healed, and are afraid at Christ’s power. The loss of the herd of pigs is economically serious. They ask Jesus to leave. It says, “So he got into the boat and left” (8:37). They threw away the opportunity to hear the word of life. The dismissal of the Lord must have been very painful for him. He was not even invited into their town.

We do not read anywhere that the Lord ever returned to the area of the Gerasenes. We do read that the healed man begged to go with him (8:38). This is a fine and sincere reaction. But the Lord Jesus has other plans for him, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you” (8:39). So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him. Through this man the mission work of the Lord continued among the Gerasenes.

A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman (Luke 8:40-56)🔗

40Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him.  41Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.

As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

45“Who touched me?” Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”

46But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”

47Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, “Daughter your faith has healed you. Go in peace”.

While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler.  “Your daughter is dead,” he said.  “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”

Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid, just believe and she will be healed.”

51When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother.  52Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”

53They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.  54But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” 55Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat.  56Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened. Luke 8:40-56

We read that when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, and they were all expecting him. Actually the presence of this crowd awaiting him with gladness offsets the wrongful dismissal by the Gerasenes. They were eager to see the Lord Jesus and sought more healing from his hands.

We read that a ruler of the synagogue, a man named Jairus, came and fell at Jesus feet, pleading with him to come to his house, because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. The Lord Jesus immediately went on his way to visit the man’s daughter but he was impeded by the crowds who almost crushed him (8:41, 42).

Then we read that a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. Actually Mark adds, “She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.” (Mark 5:26)

Scripture is very honest here. It was a painful affliction and hard to heal. Please do not expect from me a diatribe against the work of physicians, although I understand what is being said about this profession. Doctors are limited people, also in their important profession. It is a gift of God to have a capable and caring physician.  Luke is careful not to criticise the work of the doctors, because he himself is a physician.

When the woman heard about Jesus and found out that he was near she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak because she thought “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” (Mark 5:28) Luke tells us that she indeed touches the edge of his cloak. “And immediately her bleeding stopped.” (8:44)

There was minimum and fleeting contact. Nobody saw what transpired nor had any inkling of the miracle that had just occurred. But the Lord Jesus has felt it. He turns and says, “Who touched me?”  We read that everyone near Jesus denied it. Peter said, “Master, people are crowding and pressing against you.” In other words, there are so many crowding around that it is impossible for us to know who actually touched you. (8:45)

But the Lord Jesus was adamant, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me”. The Lord did not want to put anyone on the spot or accuse someone of wrong-doing. He sensed that power had gone out from him and had changed someone’s life. He wants to bring this to the fore for the glory of God and the benefit of the one who experienced Christ’s power. Christ did not want to embarrass anyone; rather he wished to edify all.

We read, “Then the woman, having seen that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet.” She is quite afraid. “In the presence of all the people she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed”. Then the Lord said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”(8:47)

I understand that the Lord never used the word daughter elsewhere. At least, it is not found elsewhere. This does indicate how he was moved by the woman’s plight. The words, “Your faith has healed you. Go in peace,” tell us that we need to approach the Lord always in faith believing that he can and will help. The expression “Go in peace” indicates that the woman was not only physically healed but also restored completely as a member of God’s people. Her sickness is gone, and her sins have been forgiven. She is fully accepted by the Lord in fellowship with her people.

Meanwhile, word comes from Jairus’ house that his daughter has died. “While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. ‘Your daughter is dead,’ he said. ‘Don’t bother the teacher anymore.’” (8:49)

Perhaps someone thought that the Lord wasted too much time with the older woman and now the child is dead. But the Lord Jesus will use both cases for the honor of God, and he says to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid, just believe and she will be healed.” The miracle that has just happened with the woman will also have a bearing on what happens with the girl. (8:49)

When the Lord arrives at the house of Jairus people are already moaning and wailing. But the Lord says to them “Stop wailing. She is not dead but asleep.”  Well, upon hearing this, the people laughed at Jesus, knowing that she was dead.

Christ takes care to go into the house only with the girl’s parents and three apostles (8:51). All sensationalism and speculation is to be avoided. He took the girl by the hand and said “My child, get up”. Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. This was indicative of the fact that she was not a ghost but truly a live person.

Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened (8:56).

Doctrinal Certainties🔗

Note that the Lord Jesus speaks about the girl not being dead but being asleep. The same word is used in connection with the death of Lazarus, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up” (John 11:11). Even his disciples do not understand, for they say, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” His disciples thought he meant natural sleep.  So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”(John 11:12-15)

The idea of soul sleep has been around from of old. This teaching states that when believers die they do not immediately go to heaven but are left in a state of deep sleep, akin to unconsciousness, to be awakened on the day of the return of Christ. The main reasoning is that souls cannot live without the body and when we die, we really do die. Therefore some said that there is no consciousness in the interim period between dying and being raised. This does not give us any extra hardship, we are assured, for it will be like a good night’s rest. Before we know it, we awaken, and meet the Lord. To speak of death differently would mean to undermine its serious nature.

In the 1950’s the teaching of soul sleep was taught and defended in our Dutch sister churches by Rev. B. Telder. We do not need here to mention the rest of the story. What I need to point out is that the Bible sometimes speaks about dying as falling asleep. We need to know why this is so, what it does and does not mean.

Our Lord can use the word “sleep” because through his power death has been overcome. In this sense we can echo the words of our Saviour, “He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25, 26)

We should not be triumphalist about this, for death is still for us a last enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26). I believe that Rev. Telder tried to warn against triumphalism. Death is still an enemy that breaks communion and is a barrier through which we must pass.

The Heidelberg Catechism states concerning the comfort of the resurrection of the body, “Not only shall my soul after this life immediately be taken up to Christ, my Head, but  also this my flesh, raised by the power of Christ, shall be reunited with my soul and made like Christ’s glorious body.” (Lord’s Day 22, Q & A 57) The word “immediately” is very important as a proper summary of Scriptural teaching on this point. Dying is going to be with Christ, immediately and consciously.

Homiletical Horizons🔗

It is hard to preach about ultimate realities like death. But whenever the text calls for it, the topic must be broached. It is important, then, to speak about the atoning death of our Lord Jesus Christ. In his resurrection it became clear that he has broken the power of death.

It is especially important that ministers are well-prepared for funeral addresses. This should be an important part of seminary training. Many visits with relatives may be necessary to find the right passages on which to speak. In the end the relatives must be strengthened in the Lord Jesus Christ, and at least be directed to the call of Christ to repent, believe, and be saved.

Questions🔗

  1. Why did Jesus begin to teach in parables?
  2. What was the initial reaction of Jesus’ family to his messianic ministry?
  3. What is the disciples’ reaction to the calming of the sea?
  4. Why did the demon that possessed the man of the Gerasenes call itself “Legion”? Does demon-possession still happen today? Is exorcism the answer?
  5. Why did Christ bring to the fore the woman who was healed from bleeding?
  6. Why does the Lord speak of death as “being asleep”? Is this confusing?
  7. Why is the teaching of “soul sleep” wrong?

Endnotes🔗

  1. ^ Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, 1990, p.853.
  2. ^  Greijdanus o.c., page 364.
  3. ^ Greijdanus, o.c., page 385.

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