Signs, Miracles, and the Path of Discipleship: Jesus Revealed
- Be God's Glory
- Oct 25
- 10 min read
Welcome to Day 298 of The Glory Team Bible Reading Plan.
Luke 7–9 captures a pivotal stage in Jesus’ ministry, highlighting His miraculous power, authority, and the revelation of His identity as the Messiah. These chapters show Jesus performing miracles, teaching with authority, and engaging with both faith-filled individuals and skeptical crowds. The narrative emphasizes the cost and call of discipleship, the nature of God’s Kingdom, and the growing tension between belief and unbelief. Luke presents Jesus as compassionate, authoritative, and the fulfillment of God’s promises, while also preparing His disciples for the mission ahead. Throughout these chapters, readers witness God’s power to heal, forgive, and reveal His glory, as well as the challenge for followers to embrace faith, trust, and obedience.
Luke 7
In Luke 7, Jesus demonstrates His authority and compassion through powerful miracles and interactions with both Gentiles and Jews. He heals a centurion’s servant from a distance, showing that faith transcends cultural and social boundaries, and He raises the widow’s son at Nain, revealing God’s power over life and death. Jesus’ teachings confront skepticism, as seen in His interactions with John the Baptist’s disciples and the Pharisees, affirming that His ministry fulfills God’s promises. His forgiveness of the sinful woman at Simon the Pharisee’s house highlights God’s mercy and the transformative power of love and repentance. Throughout the chapter, Jesus reveals the nature of God as compassionate, just, and powerful, inviting all people to respond with faith.
Luke 8
Luke 8 emphasizes Jesus’ authority over nature, spiritual forces, and sickness, illustrating His divine power and the reality of the Kingdom of God. The chapter begins with Jesus teaching through parables, such as the parable of the sower, emphasizing the importance of receiving God’s Word with faith and perseverance. He calms a storm, showing mastery over creation, and casts demons out of a man in Gerasenes, demonstrating authority over spiritual darkness. The chapter also recounts the faith of a woman healed by touching Jesus’ garment and the resurrection of Jairus’ daughter, highlighting personal faith as a response to God’s power. Luke 8 presents God as sovereign, merciful, and attentive to both the spiritual and physical needs of His people, calling believers to trust Him fully.
Luke 9
Luke 9 centers on Jesus’ preparation of His disciples for ministry and the revelation of His identity as the Messiah. He sends out the Twelve with authority to heal and proclaim the Kingdom of God, teaching them reliance on God’s provision and guidance. The chapter includes the feeding of the five thousand, revealing God’s compassion and abundance, and Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ, affirming divine revelation. The Transfiguration shows Jesus’ glory and foreshadows His suffering, highlighting God’s sovereignty and divine plan. Luke 9 also emphasizes the cost of discipleship, calling followers to deny self, take up the cross, and follow Christ. This chapter reveals God as both compassionate and majestic, inviting His people to faith, obedience, and active participation in His Kingdom mission.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The name Luke comes from the Latin Lucas or Lucanus, which is believed to be derived from the Greek word Loukas, meaning “light-giving” or “bringer of light.” This meaning is fitting, as the Gospel of Luke shines light on Jesus as the Savior for all humanity, illuminating God’s love, mercy, and salvation.
Purpose of the Book:
Luke explicitly states his purpose in Luke 1:3–4:“…it seemed good to me also… to write an orderly account… that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”
Primary Purposes:
To present an accurate historical account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
To show Jesus as the Savior of all people—not only Jews but also Gentiles, women, the poor, and the marginalized.
To emphasize the humanity and compassion of Jesus, highlighting His role as the “Son of Man.”
To provide assurance to believers that the Christian faith is grounded in truth and eyewitness testimony.
To prepare readers for the mission of the Church, which is continued in the Book of Acts.
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
The Gospel of Luke is universally attributed to Luke the physician, a Gentile companion of the Apostle Paul. Evidence from Scripture and early church history strongly supports this authorship:
Biblical Evidence:
Colossians 4:14 – Paul refers to “Luke, the beloved physician,” distinguishing him from Jewish companions, indicating he was likely a Gentile.
2 Timothy 4:11 – “Only Luke is with me,” showing a close companionship.
Philemon 24 – Luke is listed among Paul’s fellow laborers.
Acts 1:1 directly references the Gospel of Luke as its first volume: “In my former book, Theophilus…”—showing that the same author wrote both Luke and Acts.
Historical and External Sources:
Early Church Fathers
Irenaeus (AD 180) stated: “Luke, the companion of Paul, recorded in a book the Gospel preached by him.”
Eusebius of Caesarea (4th century) confirmed Luke as the author in his Ecclesiastical History.
The Muratorian Fragment (circa AD 170) identifies Luke as the physician who wrote the Gospel.
Luke was not an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry but gathered his information carefully from eyewitness accounts (Luke 1:1–4). His Gospel is the most historically and chronologically detailed, reflecting the work of a careful researcher and historian.
Key People:
Jesus Christ – The central figure; presented as the Son of Man and Savior of the world.
Mary – The mother of Jesus; her faith and prophetic declarations are highlighted.
Zechariah and Elizabeth – Parents of John the Baptist, showing God’s faithfulness to His covenant.
John the Baptist – The forerunner of the Messiah.
The Apostles – Especially Peter, James, John, and the Twelve.
Simeon and Anna – Prophets who confirm Jesus' identity shortly after His birth.
Herod Antipas – Ruler involved in Jesus’ trial.
Pontius Pilate – Roman governor who presides over Jesus’ crucifixion.
The women disciples – Especially Mary Magdalene and other women who play a prominent role in supporting Jesus’ ministry and witnessing His resurrection.
Theophilus – The individual to whom Luke’s Gospel is addressed; believed to be a high-ranking official or patron.
Conclusion
The Gospel of Luke concludes with Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, confirming His identity as the risen Messiah and Son of God. It emphasizes the fulfillment of prophecy and the unstoppable nature of God’s salvation plan. Luke ends with a call to witness: Jesus commissions His disciples to preach repentance and forgiveness in His name to all nations, starting from Jerusalem (Luke 24:46–49).
The Book of Luke shines as a Gospel of hope, compassion, and divine purpose, inviting believers to see Jesus as the Savior who came “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). It bridges the Old Testament promises to their fulfillment in Christ and prepares the stage for the global mission of the Church continued in Acts. It is a testimony that the light has come into the world—not for one nation only, but for all humanity.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Luke 7
In Luke 7, God’s character is revealed as compassionate, powerful, and responsive to faith. Jesus demonstrates God’s mercy through healing the centurion’s servant and raising the widow’s son, showing that God values faith and grieves over human suffering. His interactions with the sinful woman also reveal God’s readiness to forgive and transform lives, emphasizing His patience and love. Throughout the chapter, God’s character reflects both justice and grace, inviting all to respond in faith.
While specific Hebrew names are not explicitly mentioned, God’s actions reflect Jehovah Rapha (The Lord Who Heals) and Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness) through forgiveness and miraculous healing. The lesson in Luke 7 is that God honors faith, acts compassionately toward those who trust Him, and demonstrates that His power and mercy are available to all, regardless of social status or background.
Luke 8
In Luke 8, God’s character is revealed as sovereign, attentive, and life-giving. Jesus’ authority over nature, demons, sickness, and death demonstrates God’s supreme power and control over all creation. His responsiveness to individual faith, as seen in the healing of the woman with the issue of blood and the raising of Jairus’ daughter, highlights His compassion and personal care. God is portrayed as both majestic and relational, calling His followers to trust fully in His provision and guidance.
No specific Hebrew names are mentioned in this chapter, but God’s nature as El Shaddai (God Almighty) and Jehovah Yasha (The Lord Our Savior) is reflected in His power over sickness, evil, and life itself. The lesson in Luke 8 is that God’s Kingdom is active, powerful, and available to those who respond in faith, teaching us to trust Him for both spiritual and physical restoration.
Luke 9
In Luke 9, God’s character is revealed as glorious, sovereign, and guiding. He empowers His disciples to minister, provides abundantly for the multitudes, and reveals Jesus’ divine glory in the Transfiguration. God also demonstrates His call to commitment and sacrifice, emphasizing the cost of true discipleship. His majesty, mercy, and guidance are combined to lead His followers into deeper faith and understanding of His Kingdom.
While no explicit Hebrew names are mentioned, God’s glory and authority reflect El Elyon (God Most High) and Jehovah M’kaddesh (The Lord Who Sanctifies). The lesson in Luke 9 is that God calls His followers to trust Him fully, obey His commands, and prioritize the Kingdom over self-interest, showing that faith involves both recognition of His power and personal commitment to His mission.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
How does Jesus’ healing of the centurion’s servant and the widow’s son reveal God’s compassion and responsiveness to faith?
In what ways does God demonstrate mercy and forgiveness toward sinners in these chapters?
How is God’s authority over nature, sickness, and demons revealed, and what does that teach about His sovereignty?
How does God’s provision in the feeding of the five thousand reflect His care and abundance?
What do the Transfiguration and Peter’s confession reveal about God’s glory and divine majesty?
How is God’s guidance and empowerment shown through the sending out of the Twelve Apostles?
In what ways do these chapters show God’s character as both just and merciful, calling people to faith and obedience?
Questions About Themes:
How does the theme of faith versus skepticism appear in the interactions with John the Baptist, the centurion, and the crowds?
What does the theme of divine authority over life, death, and spiritual forces teach about God’s Kingdom?
How is the theme of discipleship introduced, and what expectations does God place on followers of Christ?
How do miracles and healings underscore the theme of God’s power and compassion?
In what ways does the Transfiguration reinforce the theme of revelation and divine glory?
How does the theme of inclusivity appear in Jesus’ interactions with Gentiles, sinners, and the marginalized?
What role does teaching and parable-telling play in communicating the values and principles of God’s Kingdom?
Reflective Application Questions:
How can you apply the faith of the centurion or Jairus in your own life when facing challenges?
In what ways can you show compassion and mercy to others as a reflection of God’s character?
How do these chapters encourage you to trust God’s provision in difficult or uncertain circumstances?
What personal obstacles might you need to surrender to follow God’s call fully, as the disciples did?
How does the example of Jesus’ teaching and miracles inspire you to grow in both faith and action?
How can the lesson of the Transfiguration influence the way you see God’s glory and guidance in your life?
What steps can you take to embrace Kingdom values—love, forgiveness, and humility—in your relationships and daily decisions?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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