Luke 4:38-41 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 When the sun was setting, 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 Christ.
 
FIRST, one easily overlooked detail of this account is that people brought loved ones to Jesus for healing when the sun was setting. This means the Sabbath was over. People were now free of the Pharisees’ restrictive Sabbath travel and work laws. God did not make the Sabbath, so man could make more rules. He made the Sabbath for rest, healing and renewal.  
    We note in these verses how personal Jesus becomes with his creation. As we often read and hear of Jesus’ healing ministry, we can easily forget that this is a remarkable aspect of God’s favor. The Son of God left heaven for a time to tell and show us the Holy God is Father, Son and Spirt, who will go to extreme measures for the good of his creation. This is truly astounding!
    Note, too, that this is a second time Jesus has rebuked a demon to be quiet. Why did he keep the demons from confessing, “You are the Son of God!”
    Jesus didn’t want to hear from the demons. Their words were hypocritical insults. After all, they had left heaven to follow Satan. The devil was their lord! Why would Jesus seek affirmation from such rebellious spirits?
    A second reason Jesus rebuked the demons relates to the Jews’ traditions. Because the demons called him by name, some Jews believed that Jesus was working with Satan! Some Pharisees accused Jesus of receiving his power from evil spirits. (See Luke 11:15-19.) Again, the demons’ goal was to discredit the Lord.
    Be true to what you say. Do not speak of Jesus as your Lord unless he is your personal Lord and Savior. In that personal relationship, you must know Jesus rules your heart. His death and resurrection is his means to personally saved you from the demonic realm. If you tell someone, “I am a Christian.” be sure to honor the Lord with your loving worship.
 
Prayer. Thank you, Jesus, for your healing. You are my personal Lord and Savior. Help me love and live your commands as you have taught. Amen.  

​The Word Frees the Captive
 
Luke 4:33-37 In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 34 “Ha! 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!” 36 All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What is this teaching? With authority and power, he gives orders to evil spirits, and they come out!” 37 And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.
 
WHEN you are amazed at Jesus’ power as the people at Capernaum, you quickly want to tell others, don’t you? Are you amazed about your salvation?
    There was much to tell in Capernaum. Can you imagine? The demon obeyed the Son of Man. The demon knew Jesus could destroy him. He had an appropriate fear of God. He did not doubt God’s Word.
    Unfortunately, too many people who say they are Christians doubt what God says. Surveys reveal 50% of chur-going people in the U.S. do not believe the devil is real. That also means 50% deny the authority and truth of God’s Word! We cannot call Jesus, “Lord.” if we do not submit to his word.
    This ignorance and denial of the truth is one form of demonic influence. We must confront demonic influence and possession with the power of God’s Word. After all, the Word is the sword of the Spirit. (Ephesians 6:.17) And Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Ffrom Genesis to Revelation, the battle rages. Does this amaze you?  
    Demons hold captive many people through physical and mental illness, idol worship and ignorance of God’s Word. Demons draw people into the dark chains of materialism, animism, witchcraft, astrology and countless man-formed religions. Many ministers, evangelists and missionaries testify of demonic influence among the people they serve.
    As in all spiritual battles, we know our sure hope is in Jesus’ victory. Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
    After all, Jesus is the Holy One of God. The demons knew who is Lord. We must know, too, and trust all of  his Word is true.
     
Prayer: Unchain my heart, Lord, from anything that binds me from truly worshiping you. Thank you, Jesus, for delivering me from evil. Amen.   

​Furious or Amazed?
 
Luke 4:28-32 All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. 30 But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way. 31 Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath began to teach the people. 32 They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority.
 
DO you see him? The devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8) How do we know?
    Remember at the conclusion of Jesus’ temptation, Luke says  the devil left him until an opportune time. (Luke 4:13) Such an opportune time came in Nazareth and its synagogue.
    Only evil would cause the Jews to be furious when they heard Jesus judging their disobedient hearts. To be furious is to be all-out, energetic and passionate against something. Furious can even be out of control. In effect, a riot broke out against Jesus! Satan causes the world still to furiously oppose Jesus and all law and order.
    But the Sprit protected Jesus, and he moved his ministry to Capernaum. In contrast to Nazareth’s passionate fury, the people of Capernaum were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority. To be amazed is to be struck with astonishment. A wonder and joy will fill you as the good news miracle infuses your heart. Luke used amazed 10 times in his gospel and five times in Acts to describe people’s Spirit-anointed response to Jesus’ gospel.
    Furious with evil intent the people of Jesus’ hometown moved to throw him over a cliff to his death. In contrast, with astonished wonder the people of Capernaum received the Lord’s good news of God’s favor upon  them.
    This threat against Jesus’ life was one of many. God’s will is done to protect him here. Jesus walks from Nazareth’s fury into Capernaum’s wonder to continue his ministry.
    Yes, evil is furious against God. In response we must be amazed God teaches us to know the way to eternal life! Astonished with God’s grace, we can joyfully be on mission to be the Lord’s witnesses, even when people are furious to stop us.
   
Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me to be furious against sin and to live amazed for you. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
 

Luke 4:23-27 Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself! Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’” 24 “I tell you the truth,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. 25 I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. 27 And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleanse – only Naaman, the Syrian.”
 
THIS is a good point to be reminded that a Christ-follower may not be effective at home. Jesus, speaking to people who watched him grow up, makes this point with Elijah’s and Elisha’s ministries.
    1 Kings 17 tells us Elijah’s life was threatened in Israel, the home of God’s ten tribes who had split from Judah and Benjamin. In response, God sent the prophet to Zarephath, a foreign pagan land. There God used Elijah to show his goodness. He provided the daily bread for a widow and her son when she had one last meal to eat. (See 1 Kings 17:15-16.)
    Elisha, too, lived in Israel and followed Elijah’s ministry. Yet, it was Naaman, a foreign – and pagan – military officer who had leprosy. He heard of Elisha’s power through his servant girl he had brought from Israel. At her urging, Naaman went to Elisha for healing. (See 2 Kings 5.)
    These are just two incidents when God’s own people rejected God’s prophets. They rejected God’s provision. They rejected God.
    Foreign unbelievers obeyed the prophets and received the blessings the Lord had prepared for Israel.
    In a like manner, people closest to you will often reject your attempts to share the gospel. You may have experienced this. When you speak to them about God’s salvation, love, forgiveness and  promises, they might look at you with contempt or say, “Who made you God?” Of course, you could respond, “The Holy Spirit has caused me to be God’s messenger of his grace to save your soul.”
    As people reject God’s Word, remember to be as Jesus. Know that your responsibility is to first speak of God and his favor to draw mankind to him. Second, your life’s purpose is to follow Jesus as closely as you can. Pray for your own heart to receive Jesus’ teachings. When you do, you will gain a closer relationship with him. Pray for your family and friends to know this, too. Remember that true belief ultimately occurs when the Spirit opens pagan hearts to Jesus.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your great words to teach me of sin and salvation. In Jesus’ name, humble my heart, Holy Spirit, to hear, tell and live your truth. Amen.   

Luke 4:22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
 
THE Nazarenes asked, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”
    The question can be spoken and heard in two ways. First, “How good to know Jesus grew up among us? We know his father and mother!” The second way to understand this could be, “Is this really true? Jesus grew up working with his father in stone and wood construction. How could this Scripture be fulfilled through this uneducated man?”
    This second attitude apparently dominated the Nazareth mindset. We learn this from Matthew 13:54-57a Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him.
    They took offense at Jesus’ gracious words of promise. They didn’t trust he had any special knowledge to fulfill any Scripture!
    But the “amazed” and “Who do you think you are?” responses are the conflicting reactions to Jesus throughout his ministry. The gospels often describe two things were true about those who heard Jesus’ teachings: One, many people were amazed at what he taught them. And two, the authorities wanted to kill him: Mark 11:18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
    This response to God’s Word is witnessed in Acts as the church began. This response remains unchanged in our churches today. How many times has a church member said, “Good sermon. That’s just what I needed to hear.” They seemed  amazed – happy – to know God’s Word was so personal for them. Certainly those who responded that way would adjust their faith walk to God’s teachings, wouldn’t they?
    But pastors and teachers quickly tire of such talk because most people walk out the door and step directly back into the way they were before the sermon. They were “killing” God’s Word, keeping it from planting into their hearts for change.
    Remember, it’s not a good sermon until you become as God teaches you to be. The Jews were eager to hear good, grace-filled teaching. They wanted freedom from the Romans, Pharisees and Sadducees who ruled over them. But very, very few entered into Jesus’ teaching to become his disciples.
   
Prayer: I pray, Lord, I will truly live Psalms 119:2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. In the Spirit’s power I pray. Amen.

Luke 4:18-22 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
 
WE repeat verses 18-21 from the previous lesson. We want to focus here on God’s favor – his grace to the Jews and to us.
    When Jesus read from Isaiah 61:1-2, he emphasized he had come in God’s power to announce the fulfillment of God’s grace upon mankind. This would be extraordinary news to God’s people. But were they confused about their God? For about 400 years prior to Jesus’ arrival, the Pharisee system was established. These leaders added an increasing number of encumbering rules to God’s laws. The Jews could easily see God as a restrictive taskmaster!
    Grace was unseen and silent in their view. God became impossible to comprehend, and the Jews’ hearts became more distant from their God.
    In God’s favor, though, Jesus came to free his people from both sin and the false “rules only” religion. This is one reason Jesus said in Matthew 11:29-30 "Take my yoke (teaching) upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  He was urging the Jews to live under God’s gracious laws that point to redemption.
    Grace, of course, is the gospel’s foundation. The truth of God’s grace is a repetitive, necessary teaching in the New Testament epistles. The apostles urged the converted Jews and Gentiles to believe and know salvation came from God: Ephesians 2:4-5 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions –  it is by grace you have been saved. By grace – because of God’s favor – you have been saved.
    Do you believe you must do more and more to be saved, to be welcomed into God’s heaven? Or do you rejoice and rest faithfully in God’s grace because you know the gospel points you to redemption?
 
Prayer: I pray, Father, that I fully accept your gracious gospel. Thank you that Jesus’ blood has saved me into your gracious, loving arms forevermore. Amen. 

Luke 4:18-22 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
 
WE repeat verses 18-21 from the previous lesson. We want to focus here on God’s favor – his grace to the Jews and to us.
    When Jesus read from Isaiah 61:1-2, he emphasized he had come in God’s power to announce the fulfillment of God’s grace upon mankind. This would be extraordinary news to God’s people. But were they confused about their God? For about 400 years prior to Jesus’ arrival, the Pharisee system was established. These leaders added an increasing number of encumbering rules to God’s laws. The Jews could easily see God as a restrictive taskmaster!
    Grace was unseen and silent in their view. God became impossible to comprehend, and the Jews’ hearts became more distant from their God.
    In God’s favor, though, Jesus came to free his people from both sin and the false “rules only” religion. This is one reason Jesus said in Matthew 11:29-30 Take my yoke (teaching) upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  He was urging the Jews to live under God’s gracious laws that point to redemption.
    Grace, of course, is the gospel’s foundation. The truth of God’s grace is a repetitive, necessary teaching in the New Testament epistles. The apostles urged the converted Jews and Gentiles to believe and know salvation came from God: Ephesians 2:4-5 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions –  it is by grace you have been saved. By grace – because of God’s favor – you have been saved.
    Do you believe you must do more and more to be saved, to be welcomed into God’s heaven? Or do you rejoice and rest faithfully in God’s grace because you know the gospel points you to redemption?
 
Prayer: I pray, Father, that I fully accept your gracious gospel. Thank you that Jesus’ blood has saved me into your gracious, loving arms forevermore. Amen. 

Luke 4:16-21 Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
 
JESUS is preaching and teaching. Returning to his hometown, he faithfully went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day. Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, demonstrated to us the right behavior for the Sabbath day. Go to an assembly of God’s people to hear the Word of God.
    Jesus read what we know today as Isaiah 61:1-2a. Eight hundred years prior to this moment, the Spirit had inspired Isaiah to speak and to write God’s promise of a benevolent Messiah to come to Israel.
    The Jews viewed the Isaiah promise expecting God to send a David-like Messiah to free them from physical oppression and bondage. He would reign on Israel’s throne forever.
    When Jesus said, “Today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” chills may have run down the spine of each faithful Jew. “Is it now time for the promised Messiah? Is he this man Jesus from our own hometown?”
    “Yes,” we can faithfully answer, “this man Jesus is the Lord’s promise fulfilled!” But our “Yes.” is not based on the Jews’ expectation. We know Jesus was the kind of Messiah the Jews did not expect. Sadly, and soon, they would find the reality of God’s favor of Jesus’ true teaching to be unfavorable to their way of life. They did not accept that God’s favor would require them to confront their sin, their man-made laws and their faith-stifling religious traditions. As a result, the chill on their collective spine would become a deadly cold rage on their hearts.
    Do you see the favor of God’s justice, mercy, grace and salvation as God’s gracious mercy for your life? Know Jesus is the true Messiah, who has come to open your eyes to your sin and set you free from Satan’s oppression.
   
Prayer: O Lord, may your Scripture be fulfilled in my life each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Luke 4:14-15 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
 
JESUS is moving. The Holy Spirit baptized him in the Jordan River near Jerusalem. It is thought his battle with Satan was about 20 miles north of there in the Judean desert. And now he has traveled another 60 miles as he returned to Galilee in the power of the Holy Spirit. Luke doesn’t tell us where he first ministered in Galilee, his home territory. But we know he chose most of his disciples in Capernaum and Bethsaida, two fishing villages on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee. He is about to return to Nazareth, his hometown.
    Luke 4:15-16 may be one of the most spiritually peaceful, unifying two verses in the Bible since God completed his creation: Genesis 2:2-3 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. The Holy Trinity rested in his creation, declaring it all very good as God was joined with Adam and Eve.  
    In a like manner Luke 4:14-15 describes a communion of God the Father, Son and Spirit with God’s chosen people. God seemed to pause the temptation and rejection of the Son for a moment as the Kingdom of God began on earth. Pause and observe mankind’s reverent obedience of their Lord. The Son of God came with a reputation from John the Baptist’s testimony: John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John knew. When he baptized Jesus, John had witnessed the Spirit anointing Jesus and heard the Father blessing Jesus, the Son: Luke 3:22b “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”  For a short time, the Jews rejoiced in the hope that God was fulfilling the Messianic prophecies. Jesus’ words were heard and praised. People were eager for a change. Or were they?
 
Prayer: Help me, Father, to praise your teachings in the power of the Spirit each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Luke 4:13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
 
THE battle was won, but the war continued. The devil was attacking the Son to defeat the Father’s saving plan for mankind. Satan knows God. He knows God’s righteousness and holiness. He knows God keeps his Word. Satan understands his own destruction is sure. But he works to do as much damage as he can while he can.
    During Jesus’ ministry, Satan will often tempt Jesus. He will work to keep the Jews’ minds closed to their Messiah’s grace, love and salvation. Demonic activity, hostile crowds, unrepentant sinners and self-serving religious leaders are Satan’s weapons.  
    Those opportune times could occur when Jesus is disappointed and frustrated. As fully man, Jesus experienced the overwhelming conditions of his people’s illnesses, immorality and his own physical discomfort. In the limits of his human nature Jesus could have said, “Enough. I’m not sacrificing my life for such a sinful people. I’m tired. I’m feeling my time is wasted here. I’m ready to go home.”
    That’s what Satan wanted. That’s what Jesus refused to say and do. Instead, Jesus fought each spiritual battle with a continued focus on God’s Word. He pursued the Father’s will and strength in times of prayer that lasted hours into and through the night. The Word who was with God in the beginning (John 1:2) kept his teachings centered on the eternal truth. Instead of being frustrated about mankind’s broken lives, Jesus submitted to serve us with mercy and goodness. Jesus’ miracles were one way he negated sin’s awful consequences. Jesus forgave the sins against him to show God’s power to transform and demonstrate “The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)
    This, of course, is a true model for us. We easily see so many sad, sick and sinful people. It is difficult to minister, especially if you love people. You want them to be well. You long for them to live into the love God promised and demonstrated to them through Jesus. Being weary in ministry is a common response.
    But we know our Lord calls us to faithful action. The war is on, so let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)  Look past yourself, so you can focus on Jesus. Keep your eye on the Word of God. Whatever sin tempts you, you can defend your soul with God’s Word. Be wise. Be true. Be constant. Jesus has shown you how. Follow him.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your Spirit-empowered resistance of the devil. Thank you for showing us how to keep our eyes on you, the Living Word. In your name we pray. Amen.