Luke 4:31-44
31 Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. 32 They were amazed at his teaching,because his words had authority.
33 In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 34 “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
35 “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.
36 All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” 37 And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.
Jesus Heals Many
38 Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. 39 So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.
40 At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.41 Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak,because they knew he was the Messiah.
42 At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. 43 But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” 44 And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
What does the passage say?
V. 31-37 After being rejected from his hometown Jesus arrives at Capernaum, there he has an opportunity to preach in the synagogue. All of the people gathered were enthralled at his teach, and with the event, he purifies a man, who was possessed by the evil spirit.
V. 38-41 He was invited to Simon’s house, where he finds Simon’s mother-in-law suffering of fever. (For me, this is the first time to learn, that Simon met Jesus before he was called to be a disciple, in chapter 5. Lake of Gennesaret and Capernaum is approximately 3 miles apart.) After Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law, many people came to meet Jesus. Jesus tends to all their needs, individually. “… and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.” (v. 40 NIV)
V. 42-44 Jesus takes a break from the people and sets out to a solitary place. I believe it is for him to be recharged in his spirit, to continue the work he has. He says, “… I have to tell the Message of God’s kingdom, which this is the work God sent me to do.” (v. 44 The Message)
What does the passage say to me/us?
“So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her.” (v. 39 NIV)
I had to pause on the word ‘rebuked.’ I went to check the other translations. The majority used ‘rebuked,’ while some used ‘command’ or ‘order.
We do not use this word that often. We probably not understand the authority that we have, by being Christ’s followers. Or we don’t fully understand the power his name carries.
Jesus’ name is powerful. Jesus shared the authrity for us to use that name. When Jesus shared his last words with his disciples, he said, “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me[a] for anything, I will do it.” Not for our glory, but for God’s glory.
Have we utilized this authority that we inherit from our Lord properly? For his kingdom? Then why not?
I’m sharing one of my favorite songs, by Paul Baloche. It is called ‘Your Name.’ May we be blessed, as we share the power of his name.
Let us Pray
Lord, your name should be lifted on high. May we understand the power that is given from your name. May we use is to push back the power of evil in this world, one step at a time. Let your people shine. In your name we pray, AMEN
What are your thoughts?
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