Luke

The townsfolk had a shock when farm-hands, who had been looking after a large herd of pigs, came running with the news.  All the pigs had drowned in the lake (Luke 8:32-33).  Their owners came to the water's edge to see for themselves, and to confront Jesus who had apparently destroyed their businesses.  The pigs were both capital assets and revenue, as the meat and hides were traded outside of Israel (Jews would not be associated with these animals in any way).

Satan's power-game with one man had been stopped.  Jesus had expelled a legion of demons from this previously tormented person; and they revealed the full force of their destructive power by driving a herd of pigs down the rocky slopes to drown in the sea (Luke 8:26-33).  The once-demonised and violent man could now control himself.  He was dressed and able to sit quietly.  Instead of wanting to drive Jesus away, he was eager to listen to his Saviour (Luke 8:35).  The naked tantrums had gone: a new life had begun, and it was all because Jesus had the authority to de

Jesus had become a popular celebrity and a crowd gathered to welcome Him back to His Galilean base, which was probably in Capernaum.  However, the religious leaders were very suspicious of Him, fearing that He might undermine their authority (Luke 6:7).  But there are times when personal needs become more important than political principles as Jairus found. He was the respected Synagogue Ruler in the town; the man who presided over religious services, acted as a judge in community disputes and represented the congregation outside the local community.

Jesus was having a busy day.  Returning to His base in Capernaum, He was mobbed by crowds eager to see Him.  Just then, the synagogue ruler, Jairus, made a scene in front of everybody by begging Jesus to help his dying daughter (Luke 8:41-42).  As Jairus started to lead Jesus to his house, the crowd was so large that the road was blocked ahead of them: would Jesus fail to reach the girl in time to save her life?

The woman, who touched the edge of Jesus' cloak, was desperate (Matthew 9:20-21).  Twelve years of social isolation as a result of her condition also excluded her from worship and the great festivals of Israel (Leviticus 15:19-30).  Dr Luke who wrote this account seems a little shy of telling us, "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)! In coming to Jesus, she did not know what to expect from Him, but believed that she would be healed (Mark 5:28).

This narrative started when a synagogue ruler had come to Jesus, urgently begging Him to save his daughter's life (Luke 8:40-42).  Jesus and His disciples agreed to go with the man.  However, a dense crowd of people blocked the road and a woman who wanted healing (Luke 8:43-48), had delayed the journey back to Jairus' house.  They were on their way when the news came that his daughter had died. "Don't bother the Teacher anymore", they said.  It was too late, nothing could be done, and the child's life had gone.  

The story so far: Jairus, the synagogue ruler, had come to Jesus because his daughter was very ill (Luke 8:40-42).

The next phase of training had begun.  The apprentice-apostles had been observing Jesus as He healed the sick and cast out demons (Luke 6:12-19).  Although they did not realise it, much of the teaching was to equip them to do the same.  Now it was their turn.  Jesus called them together for a briefing session before sending them out.  The next few verses give practical instructions, but today's reading focuses on the commission, authority and power – which Jesus repeated just before He went back to heaven (Matthew 28:18-20).

Today's title has a double meaning.  Wherever disciples of Jesus travel, they are the light of the world - His agents to illuminate this dark world with the gospel (Matthew 5:14).  But they also need to 'travel light'.  That is, they must go in faith, trusting that the Lord will provide for them physically as well as spiritually. Without any reserve provisions, they must depend on Him to supply daily bread and every need.  

Truth never goes away.  Just after the disciples had been sent out on their first mission trip without Jesus, Luke recorded that King Herod was getting agitated.  Perhaps the trainee-apostles appeared to be like John the Baptist's disciples, announcing the Kingdom of God.  They obviously made an impression, because Herod thought they might be something to do with John, whom he had beheaded for telling the truth about his private life (Matthew 14:1-12).  Had John come back to life again?  Whatever Herod heard about their gospel message troubled the dark depths of his