I am looking in Luke because he is a scholar, doctor, and the world-traveling companion of Paul. He accomplished his purpose to lift up Jesus by using many of the same stories as the other Gospel writers. The Holy Spirit had Luke include people, places, and other facts to bring the story he wrote for Theophilus to life. From his investigations he was able to add little things that Matthew and Mark did not include. He adds, supports, and agrees with his fellow Gospel writers, but from a slightly different perspective. I believe he melded the testimonies and thoughts of the witnesses he talked with to make a forceful declaration on the life, miracles, and work of Jesus.

Luke 5 – 9 are the chapters that caught my attention for this post. This brief look will bring together Jesus’ power to heal and people’s thoughts and declarations about Him. In the search engine of BibleGateway I put “power heal”, to find Luke 5:17, 6:19, and Acts 10:38 (in the NIV). (James 5:16 was also in the results.)

Luke references healing more than any other New Testament writer. I believe Jesus could heal anytime the need was there, but Luke 5:17 and 6:19 may imply that at those times the power was greater. Many of Luke’s stories has Jesus healing in front of Pharisees; 5:17 makes that point very clear. Jesus did that for a reason and Luke mentions it to usher in two narratives in Chapter 9.

Who ?

As Luke crafted his telling of the Good News, he brought narratives and parables together to make a point. Chapter 9 includes “who do people say I am”. Chapter 16 highlights money and how people handle wealth (as an example). How people chose to see Jesus and credit His miracles make a powerful statement. I know some of the Jewish mindset about Elijah and the Prophets; it seems we like the “golden age” over an “I Am” Lord.

The Parable of the Sower (Luke 8) and the four types of ground is taking on a new dimension for me. The people in the Gospels that Jesus interacted with are sorting themselves out as the different types of ground. For example: some Pharisees are Ground Type 1 and 2, and the rich ruler in Luke 18 is Ground Type 3, while Zacchaeus, a sinner, is Type 4 (I need to edit some of my post.). Many people saw miracles, felt His power, ate bread, and heard Jesus speak, but wanted Him to fit into their paradigms. Father forgive us and let Your Light shine on the Way we are to walk.

A question that lingers for me is – What happened to us, especially in the 2^nd century? A few thoughts:

• The Good News was still being preached.
• Churches were growing and settling into buildings.
• Roman persecution was still present. They liked emperor worship.
• Church Fathers were writing.
• People started going into solitary places to find God.
• The favorite heresy (it took several forms and names) was to attack Jesus being man and God.

It seems that Spiritual gifts diminished. (Please do not say the Eleven, Matthias, and Paul died.) I said diminished not disappeared. John proclaimed the Kingdom was near, Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom and healed, He passed that onto His disciples, they were to go to the nations and preach the Kingdom and make disciples; I believe they did their job. So, what happened? O for more Godnatural power and healings as we preach the Kingdom.