Luke

Satan Tempts Jesus
Jesus Rejected in Nazareth
Jesus Casts out an Unclean Spirit
Peter's Mother In-Law Healed
Many Healed after Sabbath Sunset

Luke 4:1-2

The text begins with a word translated to 'then'.  This provides a connection to the genealogy of the previous chapter.  The baptism, genealogy and temptation are all part of the beginning of the ministry.  Luke is providing us with all the evidence that Jesus is in fact the Son of God.

 

The man, Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit was now equipped to begin His ministry.  Jesus was, and still is, God; from eternity past to eternity future.  We can't look at this filling of the Holy Spirit as though he was previous lacking some important ingredient.  God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are one, in three persons.  Jesus set aside his divinity.  We see this in Philippians 2:7 where we are exhorted to have the mind of Christ who "made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."  This idea creates endless arguments and many smart men have written books about it.  Was this a choice not to use His divine power?  Was it a choice to relinquish it altogether while he was alive in the flesh?  These questions spin off many more.  Many chase these to speculations.  We do know that Jesus was a man, needing to eat, needing to sleep; he felt pain, sorrow to the point of tears. 

 

In our days we have a saying, Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes.  Scripture tells us that Jesus did this:

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).

Jesus was tempted in every way we've ever been, or ever will be, tempted.  Not one person can say their situation is unique, their temptation as more severe than any other.  As Jesus begins his ministry He is filled with the Holy Spirit; I believe there two reasons for this:

1. The Holy Spirit has a specific role just as Christ has a role.  Jesus walked as a man, reliant on the Father and empowered and equipped by the Holy Spirit.

⁸ And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: ⁹ of sin, because they do not believe in Me; ¹⁰ of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; ¹¹ of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. (John 16:8-11)

2. Jesus experienced our human weaknesses and gave us an example of being led by the Spirit.  In a way, it is very similar to baptism; Jesus didn't need the baptism of repentance since He was without sin.  He was baptized as an example to us.

 

Jesus was filled with the Spirit and then led by the Spirit into the wilderness.  This may bother you as you remember that we pray, "lead us not into temptation".  Is the Holy Spirit leading Him to temptation?  God doesn't tempt anyone to sin, but he allows the testing of our faith.  The wilderness temptation was to prove out the Lord Jesus' trust in the Father's plan.  It is the wilderness the Lord seemed to use as a place of testing and refining.  God tested the Israelites in the wilderness (Deut 8:1-18). 

 

The place where the temptation took place is called the wilderness.  It is thought to be the place between the central plateau and the Dead Sea; a place called Jeshimmon meaning 'devastation'.  It was a place of devastation because it was essentially uninhabited.  Only certain animals could sustain life there.  No one went there on purpose and if you ended up there, you didn't stay long.  Our wilderness is this sin-fallen world.  The devastation is becoming more and more evident all the time.  Sustaining a spirit-filled life in this wilderness is not easy.

 

During these 40 days of testing the text says He ate nothing.  There is some thought that this is an idiom meaning he ate nothing but what the desert provided for Him; which in my mind is tantamount to nothing.  This idea comes from Exodus 34:28; as Moses was on the mountain of God for 40 days and nights, he didn't eat any bread or drink any water.  Regardless of whether this was a complete fast or a kind of fast, it left Jesus hungry and weakened in the flesh.  This makes it clear to us, Jesus is a man; he is hungry and diminished as any man would be.  This opens mankind to all kinds of temptations.  However, there is another school of thought.  When our bellies are full, our ability to align with God, hear from Him and retain the knowledge of our need for Him is dampened by a satisfied flesh.  What if we summed it up this way, when our needs are all met we think everything is fine, when it isn't.  When we realize our constant need for the Lord is when Satan wants to interfere.  When our flesh is weak, we can clearly come to the knowledge of our need of Him.  When we are weak, He is strong.

 

Luke 4:3-4

Luke is establishing Jesus as the Son of God to begin to tell us about His ministry.  His gospel is going to tell us:

1. This is who He is.
2. This is what He did.
3. This is why its important to us.

It's an outline of the gospel; the bones on which he would flesh out our redemption story.  Luke is still in step one as he told us:

• The angel Gabriel told Mary, "The Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35)
• Gabriel sent the shepherds to witness the Savior found in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes (Luke 2:12).
• Simeon testified in the temple as he held the baby Jesus that he now knew God's salvation had come (Luke 2:30).
• Also, in the temple, Anna, the prophetess, testified that the redemption had come.
• The Holy Spirit came upon Jesus at His baptism (Luke 3:22)
• John the Baptist testified of Jesus when the Holy Spirit descended on Him.
• The voice of God from heaven said, "You are My beloved Son." (Luke 3:22)
• The Genealogy connected Jesus to the first human, the first human son of God (Luke 3:23-38).

It seems Luke has made a pretty strong case so far, but he's not done.

 

The devil came and tempted Jesus in this weakened, human condition.  How could He stand up to it? The devil knew He had been established as the Son of God, yet he cast doubt and tempted Jesus to prove his power and authority.  It's as if the devil said, 'I know your hungry, so if you are the Messiah, then turn this stone into bread and satisfy your hunger.'  The implication is that if Jesus didn't do such a thing, He must not be the messiah.  The temptation of the flesh would say things like:

• I should do this, that's why I have this power, to take care of me.
• After all, I'm hungry, God surely doesn't want me to starve.
• Eat today, live to fight another.

They say the stones in that area are flat round stone about the color of fresh backed bread.  I can smell fresh backed bread right now and I haven't gone 40 days without food.  I'd crumble pretty quickly at the thought of bread without fasting anywhere near 40 days.

 

The answer Jesus gives is one of trust.  The devil's way called for Jesus to use His power for His flesh, but His trust wasn't in the flesh.  His trust was in the plan of the Father, wholly and completely.  The Father didn't deliver Him into the wilderness and abandon Him.  The answer Jesus gave was a quote from Deuteronomy 8:3.  In this passage, Moses spoke to the Israelites of how God had taken them through the wilderness to be humbled and tested; to know their heart.  Their provision was secured in the Lord and the word of His promises, not in their ability to take care of themselves or coerce anything from the Lord (or any other god).   

 

Jesus did not fail as the Israelites did.  He did not fail as Adam did.  It had been established by God's word that He was Messiah.  He did not need to prove it to anyone.  For the devil to say 'if' was to call into doubt what God had established.  This very thing was the beginning of Adam's fall when the devil cast doubt on God's word saying, "Has God indeed said?" (Gen 3:1).  Where the first Adam fell, the last Adam was victorious (1 Cor 15:45).

 

Luke 4:5-8

In verse five, we see a different 'then' that connects it to the previous the way an 'and' would do.  This word is frequently translated 'and'.  However, Matthew's account reverses the second and third temptation.  There can only be one source of reporting these events to be recorded and that was Jesus Himself.  Matthew would have been the one to receive this from Jesus.  Also, the structure of Matthew's account convinces the scholars Matthew's order was the actual order.  We could return to Luke 1 and remember that it was Luke's goal to offer his firsthand account of the facts.  Jesus was the only eyewitness, Matthew or Mark were the only others to write it down.  This probably makes one of them the source for Luke's information.  Regardless of the source, why reverse the order?  The fact is, no one knows.  If it was accidental, it doesn't change anything about what took place.  If it was to make some point or convey something, it's been lost.  There is some idea that Luke wanted the final temptation staged at Jerusalem to hint the opportune time of further temptation would be at the betrayal, trials and the crucifixion, all taking place near the site of the 3^rd temptation.

 

Temptation order in Luke:

• Wilderness
• Nations
• Jerusalem

The Ministry of Jesus:

• Started in wilderness baptism
• Went to the nations
• Ended in Jerusalem.

Many believe this trip to a high mountain was some vision, yet the language doesn't imply that.  Whatever this mountain, the devil showed Jesus his domain and falsely implied he was sovereign over it and could do what he wanted with it.  There are several verse that tell us the devil is the ruler of this world; Eph 2:2; John 12:31; 1 John 5:19; John 14:30.  He has a temporary and partial sovereignty but he ultimately answers to God.  See Job 1 where Satan reports to God, the Lord places limits to what Satan can do and allows him some freedom for other things.  It seems God keeps Satan on a leash and at times it seems like a long one.  This is part of the mystery of God. 

 

The offer was made; it was a deal on which eternity could swing for all of mankind.  It seems like such a small thing, to submit to the devil, worship him and bow down to him.  In return, all the kingdoms would be His.  It was already determined that all the kingdoms would be His someday, so what the devil offered was a way around the cross.  He could arrive at the same place and avoid all that pain and humiliation.  Had Jesus fallen to this temptation, there would have been no cross, no resurrection, leaving us with no hope.

 

Jesus responded with a command to Satan that left no doubt that it was not an option, a thought or the least consideration.  Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:13 this time.  The passage is a warning by Moses to the Israelites about guarding themselves.  Their worst enemy wasn't another man, tribe or physical obstacle.  Their problem would be forgetting the God who saved them and chasing other gods. 

 

The Israelites failed at this temptation.  They forgot God after he brought them out of the land.  They made a golden calf at the base of the mountain of god.  They brought some of the Egyptian gods with them. 

 

Adam's fall was partially due to a similar temptation.  All the creation had been given to him to rule over and subdue with the exception of the one tree.  Yet, Satan implied to Eve something special was being withheld and it was possible for Adam and Eve to have that and keep all that he had.  It was an offer at moral autonomy where man can decide what he will and won't do; what is good for him and what is not.  Adam fell and creation fell and he was cast from the garden. 

 

Jesus was not tempted and was successful where the Israelites and the first Adam fell and where most of use would fall (probably more correct to say have fallen).  Jesus overcame this temptation by cutting off the temptation.  "Get behind me, Satan!" is equivalent to slamming the door in his face.  The conversation was over.  Too often our answer is a weak know and the door left ajar.  We need to learn to slam the door with authority.  In addition to slamming the door on the devil's words, He affirmed His loyalty and devotion by His own words by naming Yahweh as His object of worship. 

 

Luke 4:9-12

The devil then took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple.  The southeast corner of the temple faces the Kidron valley.  From the high point to the valley below was about 450 feet.  Again, the devil implied Jesus had not yet been proven the Son of God.  In order to do so He must perform or put on a display.  Satan even went so far as to quote some scripture back to Jesus.  It's fascinating that the devil quotes the word of God to the Word of God, taking it out of context.  It isn't likely he thought the quote would trick Jesus but it was more likely used as a taunt or mock of Jesus quoting scripture to him.  The quote is ripped from Psalm 91;11-12 which is a Psalm about abiding in God's presence.  It is a place of peace, provision and care.  This is why Jesus answered the temptation with a quote from Deuteronomy 6:16. 

You shall not tempt the Lord your God as you tempted Him in Massah. ¹⁷ You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, His testimonies, and His statutes which He has commanded you. (Deut 6:16-17)

This passage in Deuteronomy is a reference to the temptation of Exodus 17:1-7.  Massah means temptation and trial; Meribah means contention.  These were the places where the children of Israel grumbled against the Lord for water. 

Why is it you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?" (Exodus 17:3)

 

They tempted the Lord saying, Is the Lord among us or not?" (Exodus 17:7)

 

Jesus felt no need to test God by leaping from the temple as the Israelites tested Him for water.  Mankind has always challenged God in this way, "If you are God, my father and want the best for me then °.."  We fill the blank with our latest desire, placing our order with God.  This is very similar to what Adam and Eve did in the garden.  The devil had convinced them that God was holding something back from them.  They were thinking, 'If He was really a good God, He would give us every tree in the garden.' 

 

Luke 4:13

Matthew and Mark's temptation account report that ministering angels took care of Jesus at this point.  Luke adds that Satan will return when the opportunity presents itself.  It's very possible the opportunity referred to was the betrayal, trials and crucifixion.  There is a legend that supposedly surfaced among southern negroes that tells of a fourth temptation.

 According to this beautiful legend, after Jesus had emerged victoriously from His wilderness temptations; after living courageously and triumphantly throughout His ministry; after His apostles failed, enemies and friends conspired in crime; then, while Jesus was hanging in excruciating pain on the cross, the devil returned and whispered in His ear, "They aren't worth it, Lord." It was then, according to the story, that the Master was heard to say, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do"^[1]

The bible doesn't tell us of any fourth temptation.  We can know from the scriptures that there was an opportune time, beyond that, all we can do is speculate. Satan is always on the prowl for an opportunity to tempt man. 

 

As for Christ, we can know there were other temptations with these three being the big three or representative of the lot.  We can know that in all points He was tempted as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).

 

Adam and Eve fell to these same temptations when they were tempted by the devil to use the authority they had to please their flesh, to do what seemed right in their own eyes after questioning God's care and provision.  They had become convinced God was withholding something from them.  They had all the garden but one tree, and it was that one tree they had to eat from.  This was the temptation of autonomy; to decide for myself what is right or wrong.  They tested God when they assumed they could retain all the blessings from God and rule over His creation in their own way.  They fell.  They were kicked out of paradise. 

 

Adam and Eve did not live by God's word, worship Him only and trust Him without test.  These same shortcomings have caused mankind problems since the garden and continue to today.  Our lessons then from this passage are the tools of addressing temptation in our own life.  We shouldn't worry about going to the wilderness to be tempted.  Instead, we should realize we live in that wilderness and are tempted every day!

1. We must be led by the Spirit as we make our way through the wilderness. 
   1. He is the presence of Jesus in us.  He is not our best defense; He is our only defense. 
2. The weakness of flesh (hunger) didn't draw Him away from an abiding obedience with the Father.
   1. Our flesh will cry out for satisfaction but we must live by "every word of God."
   2. Slam the door on temptation.  Don't debate with him, don't give his word a consideration in your mind.  "Get behind me Satan," Say it out loud and then Worship the Lord God and serve Him. 
   3. Don't test the Lord.  He knows you and loves and knows your every need.  Trust Him and pray, "Thy will be done!"

 

There are therefore requirements in order to stand against temptation.

1. The Holy Spirit.  At first we are filled with the Holy Spirit when we repent of our sin and trust in Jesus as our Savior, understanding the depth of our depravity has created a great divide that keeps us from the presence of our Father.  Christ made a way for us across that barren divide by paying our sin debt and giving us His righteousness.  With Christ in you, we may pray for the presence, leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit in any circumstance.
2. To live by the Word of God, we need to feed on the word.  Our heart and mind must be filled with the word.  It should be present in our day to day live in thought, word and deed.
3. We must recognize Satan to slam door on him.  The best way to know what is of Satan is to know God first.  Then all that is not of God becomes evident.  Then we may know when to slam the door on temptation with authority. 
4. In order to keep from testing the Lord, we must trust Him.  This doesn't just come to us on the day of trouble.  Our faith and trust grows hour by hour, day by day, living in His presence.  Remember we'll fail, we'll fall; He'll set us on our feet and make us wiser.  Wise old saints were previously not old and not so wise; they arrived there by knowing God every day. 

 

Luke 4:14-15

As Jesus withstood the devil, He confirmed He was, and is, the Son of God.  Notice His return isn't just by the Spirit or in the Spirit by in the 'power' of the Spirit.  This is the beginning of the ministry of Jesus in Galilee, the Son of God.  His teaching caught the attention of all and word traveled fast of this Nazarene who spoke the word of God with authority and power.  This is the beginning of a contrast between those who know Jesus as the Son of God and those who don't.  This contrast continues today and this divide is becoming hate-filled. 

 

G. K. Chesterton said that the tendency of the world is to see things in terms of an indeterminate grey; but the duty of the Christian is to see things in terms of black and white. As Thomas Carlyle said, 'The Christian must be consumed by the conviction of the infinite beauty of holiness and the infinite damnability of sin.'

 

This region of Galilee was west of the Sea of Galilee.  Besides the Jews, there were many other ethnic groups in Galilee.  The rest of the nation of Israel barely recognized Galilee as being Jewish at all.  News had spread of the new teacher that had been teaching in the synagogues.  Jesus was honored by those that heard Him.  We know from Matthew that John the Baptist was arrested by Herod about the time Jesus went to Galilee.  There is some speculation that John's arrest was why Jesus went north. 

 

Luke 4:16-21

Luke first presents Jesus as He went to the city of Nazareth.  This is the city where He grew up, the place where He was most known.  It was normal to go to the synagogue on the Sabbath, this is what a pious Jew did.  It was normal for one of the men to read a scripture passage and for the men present to discuss it.  The Mishnah said a portion of law was read first, then the prophets and then someone directed to speak on the texts.  It was normal for them to stand at the reading of the text; then the teacher sat to expound on them. 

 

Jesus stood up to read and was handed the book of Isaiah by the leader of the synagogue.  This leader chose the scroll, Jesus chose the place and read from Isaiah 61:1-2.  Isaiah wrote of the Servant of the Lord as an anointed one to carry out this task of bringing about the good news.  Isaiah wrote this in the first person as if he were the servant himself.  Isaiah outlined this work:

• Preach, be a herald to announce and proclaim to all who are poor in spirit.
• Healer to those who are brokenhearted
• Liberate those who are captive; the imprisoned or confined.
• To restore sight to the blind
• Liberate the downtrodden, crushed in spirit.
• Proclaim the year of the Lord, a Jubilee reference.

This was clearly a prophecy of the messiah; only He could fulfill such a role.  This is from a section of scripture offering hope of restoration and salvation; of redemption and a time of life.  The nation had suffered much and needed to know of the Lord's love for them and the great work he would do. 

 

Jesus read this passage stopping at a comma, just one line into verse 2.  The acceptable year of the Lord (Jubilee) would be coupled with a day of vengeance of God.  Jesus identified Himself as this servant when He began His public ministry, yet he stopped with reading of the day of vengeance.  That day would come later.  Jesus claimed to be fulfillment of the passage to preach, heal, liberate, restore, and proclaim.  It will be when he comes again He will bring vengeance of the Lord. 

 

This is a profound moment.  I can imagine the silence and reverence of God's word going forth and the anticipation of those present to hear what would be said about this great promise.  The book was closed, returned to the attendant where it would be put away.  Jesus then sat down, ready to teach.  All eyes were on Him anticipating His explanation.  It was a brief, yet profound explanation.  He said this promise had been fulfilled in Him.  He was the Lord's messiah.

 

Luke 4:22

The initial response of those present was positive.  They received this news with joy.  They 'bore witness' which is to testify of the fact, to authenticate it and be a witness of the most important event.  They also 'marveled' which is to act in wonder or admiration; maybe a kind of being star struck.  His words were gracious; full of charm and appeal.  They had always waited and wondered, anticipated and speculated.  No one ever spoke like this.  Here He stood, claiming this glorious day was upon them.  Among this profound moment in history, in the setting of a normal day at synagogue, unbelief wormed its way in.  Someone thought, how can Joseph's son be a prophet? Wasn't he a carpenter?

 

Luke 4:23-27

All the doubt, temptation and testing weren't left in the wilderness.  Their sudden realization of who He was brought unbelief.  Their attitude was now, 'Prove it to us!'  The proverb would be understood as 'heal your kin'.  It was a call for Jesus to prove who He was by healing the people of Nazareth as he had done in Capernaum.  This statement gives the appearance Luke changed the order of things a little since He had not started His ministry in Capernaum.  The gospel of Mark seems to show He went straight to Capernaum, while Matthew wrote that Jesus went to live in Capernaum after leaving Nazareth.  Matthew may have been the source of this information for Luke. 

 

Jesus announced to them that 'no prophet is accepted in his own country'.  The word 'accepted' is a different form of the same word for 'acceptable' in verse 19.  Jesus declared the acceptable year of the Lord, yet the people of Nazareth would not accept Him.  They had heard the accounts of healings from Capernaum.  The gospel of Mark wrote:

Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! ³ Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, (Mark 6:2-3)

These were wild claims and they would not believe them.  They weren't even close to believing Jesus was a prophet of God, let alone believe He was the Son of God. 

 

Jesus provided two case studies to prove his point.

1. There was, no doubt, many widows in the days of Elijah when it had not rained for 3-1/2 years.  This is detailed in 1 Kings 17; Ahab was king in Israel (northern kingdom) and was a wicked king.  Elijah prophesied there would be no rain but by his word.  The Lord then sent Elijah to a widow in Zarephath, a Phoenician city on the Mediterranean coast, in the region of Sidon.  The widow had but a little flour and a little oil left due to the drought. She felt this was their last meal for her and her son, and then they would die.  She was instructed to set aside her fear, make the first cake for the prophet and then make cakes for her son and her.  The flour and oil would not run out.  Her belief allowed her to take her last meager provision and give it away.  It was her belief brought the provision from the Lord. 

Had she responded in unbelief, keeping the last of her provision for herself and her son, the Lord would not have blessed her.  Later her son died.  It seemed to her that her son was saved only to die a short time later.  Elijah prayed to the Lord and he was restored to life.  

Elijah left Israel and went to Zarephath to care for a widow.  While it was given there were many widows in Israel, all suffering through this season of drought and going hungry; the implication is that there were no widows in Israel that had faith enough for these miracles.  Imagine Jesus facing them and telling the people this.  He is essentially telling them their widows would have eaten the last portion and died after telling Elijah to go find his own provisions.  His point was that He would go minister elsewhere. 

 

2. There were also many lepers in Israel during the days of Elisha the prophet.  Yet, none of the lepers in Israel were cleansed by Naaman, the Syrian.  This story comes from 2 Kings 5 where Naaman was told by Elisha to go dip seven times in the Jordan and he would be heaved from his leprosy.  At  first, he was angry and offended and didn't believe.  Even if he believed, it was beneath him to do such a thing.  He expected honor and service.  Elisha offered him humility and healing by believing.  He believed enough to travel to the Jordan, to set aside the clothing of a soldier and dip in the water 7 times.  Naaman was just a man being ate up by leprosy when he stepped into the water.  His flesh was restored, clean and new like a child. 

Naaman, a Syrian general and enemy of Israel, responded in belief and was blessed with a miracle, a restoration of life.  Naaman was healed coming to Israel and to her prophet, probably passing many lepers along the way.  Yet, this miracle was brought to none of them.  Again, the implication is they would never have washed, but instead rode away angry and leprous, living out their days in torment.  In both of the examples Jesus gave, gentiles believed and experienced a miracle in their life.  Are you left wondering how many miracles we've missed out on due to our unbelief? 

 

Luke 4:28-30

The teacher they had marveled over was still seated, still teaching.  However, the people were full of wrath (rage, indignation, fury).  They weren't learning.  He taught them a truth about themselves, a truth they did not want to hear.  He spoke of gentiles receiving God's help while Israel suffered.  They were offended; they were sure god would never do such a thing.  Yet, it was recorded in their own history. They had a chance to prove their belief in Him.  Instead of being informed and enlightened and moved to change, they chose to hold fast to their unbelief.  In fact, they would even prove how serious they were about their beliefs.   As far as they were concerned, He was no Son of God, so they drove him from Nazareth.  They kicked Jesus out of their synagogue, drove him out of town and were determined to throw him off a cliff. 

 

Jesus went His way; point proven.  The people may have thought they had proven a point, even though He escaped unharmed.  They didn't want Him there anyway, they preferred He take His miracles elsewhere.  This is the exact attitude Jesus spoke to them about.  Their response was more evidence of the truth He shared than the two examples given.  Of course, that was the point and we can't know for sure if they ever got it.    

 

Luke 4:31-37

Jesus went 'down' to Capernaum, a fishing village on the north shore of the sea of Galilee.  It was quite literally a trip down.  Nazareth was 1,200 feet above sea level, while Capernaum was about 686 feet below sea level.  It was nearly a half mile down as well as 25-mile journey.  The town had both Jews and gentiles among the population.  He went to the synagogue on Sabbath day to teach.  They were utterly amazed at His teaching.  It was normal to consult and seek approval from the Rabbis when you taught.  They were the authority of the synagogue with the knowledge of God.  However, Jesus taught with authority.  He didn't consult them, He had no need to. 

 

In the synagogue was a man suffering from demon possession.  Imagine discovering this in your church.  What would you do?  This is strange a demon possessed man would be found in the synagogue.  Perhaps it was a safe place for him.  Is it possible Luke was implying a poor spiritual condition of the synagogue?   Demons are real; supernatural, malevolent. 

 

The people of Nazareth could not believe in Jesus, yet the demon cried out and announced to all that Jesus is 'the Holy One of God!'  The demon seemed to know Jesus could destroy it even though at first it attempted to tell Jesus to leave them alone.   It said they have nothing to do with each other, as if their worlds and works are not connected.  Jesus begged to differ. The demon was comfortable at the synagogue and asked Jesus what he was doing there.  Jesus had brought the gospel to the Jews. 

 

Jesus silenced the demon with a command to be quiet and come out.  The people were even more amazed. 

 

Luke 4:38-39

Jesus had already called Peter to follow him.  Simon's (Peter) home was Capernaum and Jesus went to stay there.  Archeologist believe they have found Peter's home and it can be seen today.  Dr. Luke tells us Peter's mother in law was sick with a high fever.  Peter and his wife brought this to the attention of Jesus.  He healed her by rebuking this fever.  Jesus displayed His authority over all sickness. 

 

Peter's Mother in law got up from her sickbed and served them.  It's beautiful and fascinating response to a healing by Jesus to arise and serve Him.  She believed!!

 

Luke 4:40-44

Word traveled around Capernaum and they believed.  While they marveled and wondered as they try to figure out what all this meant, they brought their sick to Him.  Jesus healed all kinds of illnesses, displaying His authority and power.  He truly was the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophesy.  The demon's testified to his identity even if the people didn't yet.  Jesus silenced them for now.  If everyone knew He was Messiah they would attempt to use it for a political power.  They, and others, needed to know more about His kingdom first, a kingdom not of this world but to come. 

 

©2019 Doug Ford