podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/19f43e88/hey-there-devil-come-on-in-no-102424-luke-18
Having driven the roads between Nazareth and Capernaum, I can picture the terrain Jesus traversed to get up to Capernaum, a distance of about 30 miles. Just thinking of it puts a smile on my face--especially the setting of Capernaum on the beautiful northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Can you imagine being able to spend a day with Jesus?
Today you can do just that as we take a front row seat for Luke's retelling. Please, as you read or listen to the podcast, pay attention to the details... notice them with me.
"Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught there in the synagogue every Sabbath day. There, too, the people were amazed at his teaching, for he spoke with authority.
Once when he was in the synagogue, a man possessed by a demon—an evil spirit—cried out, shouting, “Go away! Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. At that, the demon threw the man to the floor as the crowd watched; then it came out of him without hurting him further.
Amazed, the people exclaimed, “What authority and power this man’s words possess! Even evil spirits obey him, and they flee at his command!” The news about Jesus spread through every village in the entire region.
After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon’s home, where he found Simon’s mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. “Please heal her,” everyone begged.
Standing at her bedside, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and prepared a meal for them.
As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one. Many were possessed by demons; and the demons came out at his command, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” Luke 4.31-41a
The richness of Scripture oft lies in its details. . . did you catch that--
-people were amazed at the authority in Jesus' teaching
-even the demons recognized Jesus
-Jesus acknowledged the demon head on and handled the situation - yes, with the authority the people had observed in him
-At Jesus' command, the demon had to flee - all because of His power!
-His teaching and his healing of the demon possessed, so amazing, the people had to tell others of what they saw and experienced of Jesus of Nazareth
-And wait ... Peter had a mother-in-law? Well then, Peter was married! hmmm...
-Jesus healed with a spoken command and he healed by touching people
Did you notice these things?
Many were possessed by demons, Luke wrote. hmmm . . . Often as I write, I anticipate the questions, such as the obvious: Are there demons or evil spirits today? Yes. They are just as active as they were in Jesus' day, but there are even more ways for them to disguise themselves. They entice ... they lure ... they invite folks onto the Way of the Slippery Slope.
Some people do not want to countenance the notion that there are evil forces at work today, but you and I must operate in truth. The devil is real.
In Jesus' day, there were demonic forces, just as there are in our day. While I do not fear them, I do have an awareness and a healthy respect so as not to flirt with them.
Do not mess around with tarot cards, the occult, New Age teaching or that which opens the door to evil. Otherwise, it is like saying, 'hey there, devil - come on in!'
Yes, Virginia, there is a devil. This is one of many biblical truths that is countercultural. When we stand for truth, others may criticize, shrink back, shun us or get angry; but that should not deter us in the least. Jesus was the very essence of truth, and he never shrank back from it. Nor ought we.
From these verses we learn a lot about Jesus: he had authority over doctrine, authority over demons and authority over disease.
Don't Fight Alone - listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl3GrkRHsvk
With you on the journey,
Christine
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