Luke 8:1  “…He went through every city and village, preaching…”
One of His methods.  He began by going into the synagogues.  Not sure how far down the list this method is.  He used several over the course of the three and a half years.  But all with the same intent and message, to bring people back to Himself.  Paul understood.  We need to have the same desire.  Bring people to Jesus by any means He provides.

2  “…Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons”
Had never noticed this is where we get that info on her.  Had read it multiple times, but overlooked it.  I think most get hung up thinking the woman who washed His feet with her tears and ointment was Mary Magdalene, but that’s a misreading.  Wow, seven demons.  She was in bad shape.

3  “…Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward…”
Wonder what kind of position being Herod’s steward was?  Wonder if Chuza was also a believer?  Might have made for some interesting home life.

5  “…it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it”
Some words will never be heard.  But that’s no reason not to sow it.  We’re never responsible for the increase, only for throwing the seed.

6  “…it withered away because it lacked moisture”
Those looking for a quick fix or shortcut.

7  “…thorns sprang up with it and choked it”
Those who worry more about what is going on around them.  Life gets in the way of being fruitful.  Perhaps baby Christians who never grow.

8  “…others fell on good ground…”
Difference is the ground of our hearts which we cultivate.  Are we making our hearts available to Him.  Can we receive what He has for us.  Not as easy as it sounds.  I’m finding it requires more than simple desire.

10  “…hearing they may not understand”
Comes down to choice and desire.  Do you want to know and understand.  Will you go to the trouble of finding out.

15  “…bear fruit with patience”
Doesn’t come without work and tribulation.  And there is time involved.  It must be done on God’s timetable.

18  “Therefore take heed how you hear…”
Obvious turning point in Jesus’s train of thought, but I couldn’t see the connection.  Seemed like two different strands.  Had to pray a few minutes for the Spirit to tell me.  How awesome it is to be in constant contact with the God of the Universe!  Why do we not live that way all the time?  Pray without ceasing.  Anyway, Jesus says a lamp is lit to provide light, and all will be revealed.  He spoke the truth in parables to illuminate truth, not to obscure it.  Therefore, we must be careful how we hear the truth, or be careful that we hear it at all.  Because those who hear will understand which allows them to hear and understand more.  Those who don’t listen will lose even that which they think they know.  Dependence on false knowledge or incomplete information will fail.  Only the truth provided by Jesus will be sufficient.

21  “But He answered…”
As my Grandmother would say, Jesus wasn’t being ugly to His earthly family.  He obviously knew why they were there.  Other records tell us they may have thought Him crazy or something.  His response was directed more at that.  He was doing what He was called to do, bring the gospel to people.  Those who hear and accept Him and His message have become His family of priority.  His charge to John at the cross to take care of Mary shows He never forgot or neglected His earthly family.

I hope you enjoy reading and studying His word.  May it accomplish what He desires.  Please feel free to comment or post questions.  Thanks for reading!

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.