Luke 4:38-44 - MANY HEALED! DEMONS BANISHED! KINGDOM OF GOD DECLARED!

MANY HEALED!

DEMONS BANISHED!

KINGDOM OF GOD DECLARED!

Luke 4:38-44

Luke 4:38-39 And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.

Susie: After preaching mightily in the synagogue at Capernaum, Jesus went to Simon Peter’s house for a meal and may have been staying there while in town.

Susan: Simon’s “mother-in-covenant-love” was extremely sick with a high fever, according to doctor Luke. The family entreated Jesus to heal her. He stood over her, placing her in His shadow as it were (Psalm 36:7), and rebuked the fever.

Susie: Not only did the fever leave her, but she felt well enough to immediately get up and begin waiting on her guests!

Luke 4:40 Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.

Susie: For the Jewish people, sunset was the beginning of a new day. The people arrived after sunset as that signaled the end of the Sabbath; and they were no longer limited by the restrictions on traveling certain distances on the Sabbath.

Susan: Many people came to Jesus bringing all their sick relatives and friends; and they had a good old-fashioned healing party hosted by Jesus Himself in Simon Peter’s house.

Susie: That sounds a great deal more fun than a housewares, jewelry, or makeup party!

Susan: Jesus healed them by the laying on of hands.

Luke 4:41 And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.

Susie: Among the sick, there were some who harbored evil spirits, demons, which Jesus cast out. They were screaming that He was the Christ (Messiah), the Son of God.

Susan: Jesus silenced the demons because He had the authority to do so, and it was not the appointed time for His divine identity to be completely revealed.

Luke 4:42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them.

Susan: The next Jesus was just trying to have some time with His Father in a place of solitude.

Susie: However, the throng of people discovered His location and followed Him there, begging Him to extend His stay in Capernaum.

Luke 4:43 And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.

Susan: Jesus explained that His mission was to preach the Kingdom of God in other cities beyond Capernaum. The Kingdom of God is the Lord’s Kingship over those who have entrusted their lives to Him by surrendering themselves to Jesus.

Susie: At present, the Kingdom of God is manifest spiritually in believers as we submit to the Lord’s will, and His Holy Spirit lives in us. When Jesus Christ returns, He will set up a physical, earthly Kingdom.

Luke 4:44 And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.

Susan: Earlier manuscripts say Galilee, but those discovered more recently say Judea. It is really irrelevant (unless you are a historical geek like Susie) because Jesus preached in synagogues in both regions.

Susie: When you look at the area Jesus covered during His approximately three years of ministry, it is small compared to the reach of even one megachurch like First Baptist Dallas. However, the work that Jesus began and entrusted to His apostles to continue has influenced the entire earth!

Susan: Never negate small beginnings!

Susie: I believe Susan is thinking of our own ministry. We’ve only just begun!

APPLY THIS TO YOUR LIFE: How large is your sphere of influence? You may think it is quite small, limited to your family, a few friends, and work associates. However, each person with whom you share your testimony may in turn share with several more. Each person you disciple—your children, your Sunday school class, or a friend—has the potential to become the next great evangelist. With whom will you share God’s love today?