Jesus’ Power and Compassion – Luke’s Gospel, chapter 4, verses 31 to 44
Does it seem so when we see all the sufferings and evil in the world?
Here we see both the power and compassion of Jesus at work, and so the power and compassion of God.
Jesus’ words have authority.
31 Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. 32 They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.
Luke 4:31-32
His Authority over the spirit world.
33 In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 34 ‘Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God!’
Luke 4:33-34
The evil spirit could see what the crowd couldn’t. He feared Jesus, the holy one of God. Feared destruction. No special techniques, no calling on higher authority. “With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!”
His Power and Compassion
38 Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. 39 So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.
Luke 4:38-39
A high fever, very sick. “Jesus, help her.” His power, healed at his word. No special techniques, no calling on higher authority. His compassion, for be cared about Peter’s mother in law. He took her hand, and helped her up.
At Sunset
40 At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of illness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. 41 Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.
Luke 4:40-41
The post-Sabbath rush hour. Many come seeking healing, and he heals them all. The spirits cry out “Messiah!”, but he will not let them speak, for he sets the time for his revealing as Messiah, not they.
The Good News
42 At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. 43 But he said, ‘I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.’ 44 And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
Luke 4:42-44
The people wanted him to stay, but “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, for that is why I was sent.” We know now what they did not, that he was the Saviour King. The one who takes us by the hand, powerful and compassionate. Let us respond in grateful compassion too.