LW Baptist

By Rolland Coburn

Pastor

Luke 4:31-5:11 underlines Jesus’ authority over every area of life, including human hearts and consciences. Jesus went to Capernaum in Galilee and taught on the Sabbath, astounding listeners with his words and authority.

In synagogue, a man with an evil spirit burst out, “What have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth. You’ve come to destroy us. I know you are God’s Holy One.” Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Hush, come out.” The demon threw the man down uninjured and left. Astonishment set everybody discussing, “What teaching this is? With authority and power he orders evil spirits and they depart.” News echoed everywhere of Jesus’ overruling the powers of darkness.

Leaving the synagogue, Jesus entered Simon’s house, whose mother-in-law was suffering a high fever. They asked his help. Standing over her, he rebuked the fever, which vanished. She arose immediately and began serving. Someday Jesus will end all human suffering, including death, and wipe away every tear. A taste of that future appears here.

At sundown, everyone who knew people with various diseases brought them to him. Placing his hands on each, he healed them. Demons also left many, shouting, “You are God’s Son!” He rebuked them, forbidding their speech, because they knew he was the messiah. At dawn, he sought solitude. The seeking crowds came, but he said, “I must preach God’s kingdom good news to other cities too; for this I was sent.” Jesus, God’s representative on Earth, exercises sovereignty over every malady. And he preached in Judea’s synagogues.

The Bible says that Jesus governs all creation, overcoming at will his fallen creatures’ resistance. One day Jesus, teaching God’s word by Lake Gennesaret, sees two boats at shore. Entering Simon’s, he asked him to put out from shore, where he sat and taught. Afterward, he said, “Row out deep and lower your nets for fish.” Simon answered, “Master, we worked hard all night, catching nothing. But at your word, I will.” In doing so, they captured such great abundance of fishes the nets began breaking. Signalling their partners’ help, they filled both boats, which began sinking. Peter seeing this, fell at Jesus’ knees saying, “Depart from me, Lord; I am a sinner!” Amazement gripped him and all with him at their catch, even Zebedee’s sons James and John. Jesus answered Simon, “Fear not; from now on, you fish for people.” Once ashore, they left everything and followed him.

Only Jesus has such power and authority. “All power is given unto me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). That is why we pray in his name. “All hail the power of Jesus’ name, let angels prostrate fall/ Bring forth the royal diadem and crown him Lord of all.”