Shalom,
We believe the Lord is touching His people who are serving in this church now and also those who are following the service virtually. It’s only by His unlimited love that we always receive His help in due time. Hence, we have no enough words to express our gratitude for His heavenly blessings but praise, glorify and give good response to His Word which is full of power and authority.
Why is the word of God living and full of power and authority? For the word of God is the very person of Jesus (John 1:14).
What kind of blessing do we get from the Word of God today which is taken from Luke 4:31-41? “Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority. Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God! ”But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him. Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, “What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out” Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon’s house.
But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. So He stood over her and rebuked the fever and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them. When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him…”
Jesus loved and cared for the congregation of a synagogue in Capernaum. He preached the powerful word of God there; as a result, the evil spirits who possessed someone was cast out. Jesus surely knows that the power of the darkness always causes someone panicky, afraid, depressed, and powerless; for this very reason, those who are being possessed by the evil spirit need to be healed.
Jesus also did the same thing on someone of Gadarenes who was possessed by the evil spirits for a long time, wore no clothes and lived in the tombs (Luke 8:26-28). He was very wild, even chains which bound him couldn’t hold him any longer. But as soon as he saw Jesus, the evil spirits (Legion) in him were afraid and asked Jesus not to send them into the abyss, but into the swine instead. And He allowed them.
In casting demon out of a member of the congregation in Capernaum, Jesus only said:
· Be quiet!
Do you know that in repentance and rest we will be saved (Isaiah 30:15)? In other words, to be able to repent, we cannot yell angrily at the rebuking word of God, defending our stubbornness and old mindset. Instead, we should give good response by repenting, no longer listening to Satan’s voice, but obeying the Shepherd who always lovingly cares for us.
· Come out!
Coming out means separated and moved from one place to another place, just like the Lord separated the Israelites (including us) from the people who rebelled and revolted against Him then brought them out of the countries where they were in exile into the land He promised (Ezekiel 20:37-38).
Application: Let’s not use our mouths to grumble; rather open our ears to listen to the word of God that is powerful to help us. Let’s welcome the word of God full of power and authority into our lives.
Jesus did not help the congregation in the synagogues only but also came to those who were in their homes including Simon’s mother-in-law who got fever (v. 38). He stood next to (near) her and then cast out the fever and she got healed immediately. On another occasion, a woman who suffered from bleeding for twelve years came closer to Jesus from behind and touched the edge of His cloak and she was healed instantly. Jesus felt a power had gone out from Him (Mark 5:25-30).
We know that Jesus did not only heal Simon’s mother-in-law but there were many people who came to Him and were healed (Luke 4:40).
Application: The impact of Covid-19 causes the people of God confined at homes having to follow the church service through online for over a year. We don’t know when this pandemic will end; yet, don’t worry for the Lord will help us who are facing various problems in health, economy; loneliness and so on. Therefore let’s draw near to Him so that we will receive physical and spiritual healings through His word which is full of power and authority.
We have to respond to the word of God well and welcome Him to make our life His dwelling place filled with and molded by His word (cf. 2 Timothy 3:13-17) for He is the one who is powerful to change us to become His children loved, shepherded and protected by Him. Moreover, after listening to the word of God, we need to put it into practice. Don’t imitate Satan who believes in Him, yet trembles in fear of Him (James 2:19)!
In addition, don’t associate yourself with those who do not know the Lord, but come into His pastoral care to be chastened, disciplined, and defended with the mark of His blood—the proof of His love. Beware, the power of the darkness of this world is threatening those who are off guard and indulgent to their own desires!
It’s very important for us not to stay away from the Word of God. This way, we are able to listen to His word which is powerful to give us both physical and spiritual healings. While facing complicated problems, don’t undermine His word which is full of power and authority for He is able to help and touch us and even cast out the evil’s power that may bind us. Let’s make our life the dwelling place of Jesus, the word of God and the Holy Spirit. Having done so, we will definitely find peace and protection whenever we are facing most difficult struggles in this life. Amen.