Take Heed to “How” You Hear!

Reflective Reading: Luke 8:26-9:6

Last week we talked about the unique, 4-part story contained within Luke 8:1-26. Each story worked in beautiful harmony to drive home the teaching that bearing fruit is dependent upon how we hear the Word of God—and how we respond to what we have heard.

This week our story is about to expand to even greater depths! Ready to dive in?

The last time we saw the disciples they were in the midst of a stormy situation. Waves crashed, thunder roared, and lightning split across the sky. What should have been a 2-hour-long uneventful sail turned into an all-night fight for their lives. Exhausted and frightened, the disciples were convinced they were about to drown. Facing the perils of the night, the promise of Jesus (“Let us go over to the other side” verse 22) was lost in the wind. They didn’t “take heed” to how they heard.

Have you ever faced a situation in which you despaired so badly that you didn’t think you would make it? I can think of three events that turned my life upside down. Though I didn’t panic like the disciples, I too forgot to “take heed” to how I heard. In fact, it was thirteen years later that God’s Word finally broke through the barriers of my heart. Psalm 119 was the particular vehicle that God used with verses like, “It is good that I have been afflicted that I might learn they statutes…In faithfulness you have afflicted me…Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep thy word.”

So what does it mean to take heed to how you hear? The words “take heed” come from the Greek word that means to see; to look into; to beware and to behold. God wants us to pay attention to his Word. He means what he says and says what he means. During my severe trial, I did seek God’s Word; but reflecting back, I think I spent more time trying to keep my boat afloat with my own efforts than trusting his Word without any anxiety. My life was filled with anxiety during those years. It’s easy to forget that God is in the boat with us when we are sinking, even if it appears that he’s sleeping.

Have you ever said to yourself, “Where are you God when I need you?” It’s awful when it appears that God just isn’t there for us. But we can rest assured, he is. “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth to shew himself strong in behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward him” (2 Chronicles 16:9). Jesus, who is God, was fully aware of their situation. Jesus could sleep without any reservation because he had told them where they were going. The purpose of the storm was to test them to see if they were going to trust his Word more than his visible presence. And this lesson was essential for them to learn if they were going to trust him for the next life-threatening experience.

This brings us to the healing of the demoniac (8:26-39). So they park their boat and start walking up a hill. I’ve been to this area. It is a steep climb and rather barren. As they make their ascent, they begin to hear a shrieking cry that could curdle milk! Not only do they hear an awful hair-raising scream, but out comes this naked man (two of them actually) who possesses herculean strength! The Scriptures say that even chains could not keep him bound. To top it off, this guy has a legion of demons inside him. Can you picture the disciples looking at each other, walking closely behind Jesus?

So why get in a boat, row for hours, have a near drowning experience, and then watch Jesus cast out a legion of demons from this naked man? What is the meaning of it all? Once again, the central meaning is to “Take heed to how you hear.” The disciples just witnessed Jesus having power and authority over the wind and the waves. They were astonished when he spoke and creation obeyed. Now they were in another position of fear; another unknown.

The Scriptures are silent on how the disciples reacted to this event. The focus of attention this time is not on the disciples but on the demoniac. After the legion of demons are cast out of the man, he wants to be with Jesus. I can almost see Peter, James, and John looking at each other wondering if another misfit is going to be traveling with them. Will Jesus allow this man to follow him? Let’s listen in on Jesus’ conversation with him after the demons had been cast out:

“Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought [Jesus] that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.”

Do you see it? This man wants to be with Jesus. Who wouldn’t? But even though the man “begs” Jesus to stay with him, Jesus sends him home. The man is so filled with gratitude that he not only goes home but tells everyone throughout the city what Jesus did! Jesus is teaching his disciples that his life-changing power does not need his physical presence. What’s interesting to note is that in contrast to what he told the healed demonic, Jesus has been telling the disciples continuously, “Don’t tell anyone!” Why? Because their faith was weak, and they didn’t yet understand what great things God was doing for them.

As we continue reading in Luke, we see Jesus healing the woman with the issue of blood and then raising the synagogue ruler’s daughter from the dead. Finally, the disciples are getting it; at least some of it. They have enough faith to finally go and tell. This then brings us to chapter 9:

“Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.”

Finally! This is their very first assignment: to “go and tell,” without Jesus. Rather than Jesus being with them bodily, this time his Word will go with them. And that is the lesson that Jesus has been trying to teach them. He was sleeping in the boat so that they would trust his Word. He calmed the storm with his Word. He healed the demoniac with his Word. And now it is their turn to share his Word with the world—without his visible presence. He’s preparing them for his eventual departure from the earth. In this same way he is preparing us.

It all makes sense. Jesus has authority and power over creation, over demons, and over everything. There’s power in his Word—but this power is only accessible to those who “take heed” to how they hear. 

“My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it” (Luke 8:21).

“Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it”

(Luke 11:28).

What a challenge! What an assignment! What a privilege! Now let’s go and tell!

Blessings,

Mark Hamby

M.S., M. Div., Th. M., D. Min.

Recommended Reading:

Jessica’s First Prayer (Ages 6+)
The Wanderer book or dramatic audio CD (Ages 9+)
Tip Lewis and His Lamp (Ages 9+)
The Silver Keys (Ages 12+)