Knowing The Word in Luke

Capernaum was a busy lakeside town unlike middle of nowhere Nazareth where Jesus had been rejected. It was the crossroads of two trade routes and an important port on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. More and more people will now experience Jesus’ ministry. The Bible says little about demon possession before or after the incarnation, but much during Jesus’ ministry. This is part of the conflict between Jesus and evil. It is interesting that the demon recognizes Jesus and that he refers to himself in the plural. Jesus’ exorcism of the demon is sweet and simple. This is the first of five healings Jesus does on the Sabbath in Luke. Luke has a clear interest in the right use of the Sabbath he will further explore.

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.

Prayer: Our Father, for those in need we make our prayer: the sick in mind and body; the blind and the deaf; the fatherless and the widow; the sorrowing and the anxious. In all their troubles and afflictions give them comfort and courage, and your peace in their hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Frank Colquhoun