31 And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority.

33 And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. 36 And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” 37 And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.

38 And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. 39 And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.

40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.

42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, 43 but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” 44 And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea. (Luke 4:31–44, ESV)

Our passage today is tightly organized by Luke. There are three movements. First, we see him cast out a demon in the synagogue. Second, we see him heal a sickness in Peter's house. And last, we see him healing and casting out demons in Capernaum—all these episodes took place there (31).

These three Capernaum episodes are bookended by statements about Jesus' teaching and preaching ministry. At the front end, everyone was astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority (31-32). His teaching had authority unlike the scribes, likely because their teaching was often a mere regurgitation of traditions, while Jesus said, "I say unto you" (Mark 1:22). They quoted others, but Jesus quoted himself. As God in the flesh, the one who the Old Testament anticipated, Jesus' teaching had an authority like they'd never heard.

At the back end, Jesus went to a desolate place for prayer and concluded that he had to go to other towns to preach the good news of the kingdom because preaching was his main purpose (42-44). He wasn't meant to primarily serve as a miracle worker or deliverer, but as a preacher. He wanted to go tell the other little towns which littered that region. The only way he could really save people was with his words, his message, the truth.

It's these bookends that give us our clue as to how to interpret this entire passage. Luke is saying that Jesus came teaching and preaching the kingdom of God, and all the miracles in this passage give us a glimpse into the kingdom. All of these events are meant to show us what his kingdom is like. He came to confront the cosmic powers of darkness led by Satan, and to set aright the brokenness in humanity caused by the fall. One day, the demonic realm and all sickness and disease will be destroyed. For all whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life, ultimate salvation will come with his coming.

But for as much as we look forward and hope for that day, this passage shows us how his kingdom is already here. It's not yet fully here, but it is here—for those who trust in Christ, his authority can change and transform our lives today. As he'd said in the Nazareth synagogue, Jesus came to produce and proclaim liberty to the captives and good news to the poor. The year of the Lord's favor has come, and this passage shows us some of the ways his power is released (Luke 4:18-19).

To Set People Free (33-37)

In the first episode, we learn that Jesus has the authority to set people free. In the midst of their synagogue was a man with an unclean demon (33). In the middle of Jesus' sermon, the man cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God" (34). A mildly distracting moment.

Now, though Luke told us about Satan' temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, this is the first reference to unclean spirits in the book of Luke. He had already written about angels appearing to Zechariah, Mary, and shepherds on the night of Jesus' birth, but now we come to the demonic realm.

There are various theories about the origin of this realm, but the one worth mentioning is the possibility they are angels who rebelled against God and, as a judgment, became disembodied spirits under Satan's leadership. Comparing Scripture with Scripture, it seems some of them were free to roam, and during the time of Christ, did so (2 Peter 2:4, Jude 6).

Of course, modern readers wonder why so many demons were in Israel at that time. Though we cannot know for sure, here are some possibilities.

First, Israel had not been walking with God for some time, and with God's light absent, the people probably opened themselves up to dark or mystical practices which exposed them to an undesirable world.
Second, since God had been so clear that his deliverer, the one to crush Satan, would come from Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and David's line, it makes sense Satan would congeal his forces in Israel.
Third, the presence and power of John and then Jesus likely stirred up the demonic world to prepare for resistance. This seems to be the best answer. "The good news preached by Jesus signaled an attack on the forces of evil. A holy war was being launched and the demons knew it" (Expositor's Bible Commentary).

You see, Jesus came to destroy Satan. He would end the cosmic struggle and crush Satan's rebellion. 1 John 3:8 said it well: “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil." So it comes as no surprise when Jesus delivers the man from his demon.

Notice how Jesus drew on his own authority to banish the demon. He said, "Be silent, and come out of him! (25). There was no long, drawn out incantation or ceremony. Just Jesus. He is authoritative. And everyone there, after watching the demon throw the man down in their midst, and come out of the him, was amazed (35-36). They said, What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out" (36).

Looking back over the story, it's clear the theme is authority. Who is in power? The crowds were impressed with Jesus' authoritative teaching. Then a demon disrupts the teaching and tries to take the authority back. But Jesus would have none of that, and just as he had authority when teaching, he had authority over the demonic realm.

And Jesus set this man free, because Jesus wants to set people free. Just as he said in the Nazareth synagogue, he came to "set at liberty those who are oppressed" (Luke 4:18). And Jesus has the authority to do so.

And Jesus still has the authority to set people free. When he says you are forgiven, you are forgiven. When he says your are not under condemnation, you are not under condemnation. When he says you are adopted by God, you are adopted by God. When he delivers you, when he gets his gospel grip on you, you are free. When he commissions you to share the gospel, you are commissioned.

Jesus' authoritative word could calm the waters of Galilee and bring a dead man out of his grave. Jesus' authoritative word could silence the religious elite and strengthen the multitudes. Jesus' authoritative word could enlighten a child and confound a scholar. Jesus' authoritative word could pronounce someone clean and set a demoniac free. And his authoritative word can raise you up with Jesus and seat you with him in the heavenly places (Eph. 2:6).

So trust Jesus—for the first time and then daily. It is this freeing and authoritative word of Christ that we cling to when we abide in him each day. Jesus said, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me" (John 15:4). Spend time with him. Pour over his word. Ask him to help you believe the promises and obey the exhortations you read, over and over again, and he will.

And "do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace" (Rom. 6:13–14). He will set you free.

To Make People Whole (38-39)

In the second episode, we learn that Jesus has the authority to make people whole. On the same day he taught in the synagogue and delivered the man with the unclean spirit, Jesus went to Simon's house (38). Mark tells us he brought with him Andrew, James, and John (Mark 1:29). Our modern equivalent would be going out to lunch or dinner after church services. And I imagine the disciples' minds were racing as they took Jesus to the house. Did that just happen? Did you guys see what I saw? What have we gotten ourselves into?

There, in the house, was Simon's mother-in-law (38). People get excited about this because Catholics allege Peter was the first pope, and here we learn he was a married man, and Roman Catholic clergy are not allowed to be married. Though we don't know much about her, Peter's wife eventually became a believer and joined him in ministry (see 1 Cor. 9:5).

But the event that stood out was when Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law. She was sick, lying there with a high fever, and they appealed to Jesus on her behalf (38). Jesus then stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her (39).

As an evidence of her complete healing, we read that immediately she rose and began to serve them (31). This is what whole people do. They help others. And, on that day, she served Jesus and his disciples after she was healed by the Lord.

Whole people are not only free, but others-centered. They use their freedom to love others (Gal. 5:13-15). The fruit of the Spirit describes a whole person and is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). All of these do well when focused on others. Loving others. Demonstrating joy to others. At peace with others. Patient with others. Kind to others. Good to others. Faithful to others. Gentle with others. And self-controlled for the benefit of others. Peter's mother-in-law was touched by Jesus, got up, and started serving him and his disciples.

This is what Jesus does. He makes us whole. The church in Philippi is a great example of how Jesus takes people and makes them whole. Their first members were a wealthy business woman named Lydia, a demon-possessed fortune telling young woman, the local jailer, and, quite possibly, doctor Luke, the author of this gospel. And the gospel remade all of them. Lydia's business acumen and financial prosperity was redeemed for God's purposes. The young woman was delivered and began to think clearly. The jailer became an evangelist for his household. And Luke became the only Gentile to author Scripture! Every one of these people reached new heights after Christ.

Jesus has a new, whole life in store for each of us who have trusted him. As Paul said, "Thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness" (Rom 6:17–18).

Sometimes people think that Christ will only suppress their humanity. It's not true. He makes us more whole, more human, more who we were designed to be. And he joins us in remaking us to become something we weren't without him: "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good" (1 Cor 12:4–7).

To Help Any Person (40-41)

In the final episode, we learn that Jesus has the authority to help anyone. That evening, when the sun was setting, the whole region seems to have descended upon Jesus at Peter's house (40). They were only allowed to travel a certain distance on the Sabbath, so once it ended at sundown, the people came out in droves.

What followed was a major time of healing and deliverance. All who had any who were sick with various diseases came, and Jesus laid his hands on all of them and healed them (40). And he dealt more demons as well (41).

While he cast out these demons, they cried "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and wouldn't allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ (41). This is the second time in this passage that Jesus silenced the demonic realm. First, with the demon in the synagogue (35). Second, with the demons at the house (41).

There are probably a handful of reasons he commanded silence.

First, the demons knew who he was, but they were the worst messengers to declare his identity.
Second, he didn't want to be known primarily as a miracle worker, but as one with the message of the kingdom (43).
Third, he wanted to freely travel and preach in various towns, something popularity as a miracle worker would hinder.
And finally, his popularity is what led to the religious leaders' jealousy, which led to his cross, and his time had not yet come.

But the idea of this episode is that nothing Jesus encountered was too hard for him. He could heal it all. He could deliver them all.

And that's Jesus. He can set you free. He can make you whole. He can do that for you or anyone who comes to him. There is no case too complicated, no desire too entrenched, no history too tarnished for the Lord. He is "God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:3–4).

He is the God who reached a rebellious Nineveh with a rebellious prophet who had been swallowed by a great fish (Jonah). He is the God who reached a self-righteous Pharisee by knocking him down and speaking to his heart (Paul). He is the God who reached the Philippian jailer through the very inmates he was employed to guard. He is the God who reached the despised chief tax collector by calling him out of a tree. He is the God who reached the woman at the well by telling her all she'd ever done. He is the God who reached Peter despite all his failures and hardheadedness. He is the God who reached thousands on the day of Pentecost through unknown tongues.

There is no person he cannot reach. No issue he cannot handle. He has the authority to help anyone. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16, ESV)

Conclusion

What should we do in response? The first answer I want to give is that we should join Jesus. Part of the reason I initiated this study on the ministry of Christ is because I want us to keep our focus. There is lots to distract us from the mission these days, but we are to live as we pray: "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Mat. 6:10). So I wanted us to see the emphasis and goals of Jesus' kingdom so that we could remain focused upon them.

To wrap up this entire section though, I want to repoint you to his message. You see, though he was authoritative over demons and sickness, he fought hard to make preaching his priority. Why?

Because, he knows you cannot have the benefits of his authority unless you call upon his name, unless you believe his message. Because, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9, NLT).

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. (Revelation 22:17, ESV)