Scripture Reading: Luke 4:31-41
In Luke 4, Luke begins to relate the healing acts of Jesus. Such miracles make up a significant part of what Jesus did during His three-year ministry. The two stories found in our passage in Luke 4, depict the authority of Jesus. What we have in this passage is a glorious demonstration of Jesus' authority over the demonic world and authority over sickness.
Again, Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, this time in Capernaum. A demon-possessed man was present, and Jesus commanded the demon to come out of the man ... which the demon promptly did. What else could this wicked spirit do, in the face of omnipotence.
Interestingly, the demon's words displayed that he knew the identity of Jesus. He called Christ "Jesus of Nazareth" and "the Holy One of God" (Lk 4:34). There is a significant lesson to be drawn from this encounter ... namely, that it is possible to be completely theologically orthodox without belonging to God. It is possible to know all the right doctrines and not be a Christian.
Further in the passage, Jesus heals the mother-in-law of Peter (Lk 4:38,39) and then all the sick people who were brought to Him, which included more demon-possessed folks (Lk 4:40,41).
Christ has conquered sin and death and all the powers of darkness. We have every reason to be of good cheer ... and no reason to fear.
