Jesus the conqueror
Reading: Luke chapter 4 verses 31-44.
Ill:
• King Canute (1065-1035AD);
• Was the King of England, Norway & Denmark.
• Canute’s reign was a strong and effective one.
• He brought with him security from foreign invasion and he ruled justly and well.
• He was considered a friend of the English church and was generous toward it.
• At his death, he was buried in Winchester Cathedral.
His claim to fame or what most people know about him is:
• He was the king who sat on his throne at the waters edge;
• Commanding the sea to go back. And of course the sea doesn’t take any notice of him!
• Most people who know or read the story;
• Think what a fool! I could have told him that would happen.
• He might be a king,
• But that does not mean he would have the power to command nature to obey him!
But, King Canute has been greatly misunderstood:
• He was not some egocentric fool trying to hold back the sea by his command,
• But was in fact a very modest.
• King Canute lived in an age;
• When it was traditional for people to be "subjects" and to pay homage to the monarch,
• And his followers worshipped him and would say things like
• "Oh great majesty, the very sea obeys your mighty command".
• He was a humble man who wanted to prove to his courtiers;
• That the sea did NOT obey his commands.
• King Canute stayed on the beach until his courtiers admitted it.
• He risked himself & his court being drowned rather than allow the nonsense to continue.
Quote:
• A twelfth-century manuscript (Henry Huntingdon’s Historia Anglorum);
• Records King Canute’s words:
“Know all inhabitants of earth, that vain and trivial is the power of kings, nor as anyone worthy of the name king save Him whose nod heaven and earth and sea obey under laws eternal”.
One man who did have authority even over the winds and waves:
• Was Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God!
• We will see in this passage his authority in other situations.
• I want to split this passage under four headings;
• Four sections where we see the authority and power of Jesus at work.
(1). Teaching The Truth (vs 31-32).
“Then he went down to Capernaum,(and Luke adds for those readers unacquainted with the geography of the Holy Land) a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath began to teach the people.
32 They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority”.
When Jesus preached people noticed an immediate difference:
• FIRST: He spoke the truth.
• Sadly many of the religious teachers were corrupt and evasive in their reasoning.
• They were willing to manipulate the scriptures to fit in with their interpretation;
• Rather than change their lifestyles to fit in with God’s revelation!
• SECOND: He taught matters of great significance;
• e.g. matters of life & death & eternity.
• Often the religious teachers wasted their time on trivialities.
• Ill: theologians of old who argued how many angels would fit on a pin-head!
• THIRD: There was coordination and structure in his preaching.
• Often the religious teachers as the Talmud proves, rambled on and on and on.
• FOURTHLY: He was good at communication with his audience;
• Using humour and illustrations that captured the attention of his hearers.
• By contrast the religious teachers were as dry as dust;
• They went through the motions but there was no thought of engaging their audience.
• FIFTHLY: He spoke as one concerned for all his hearers;
• He taught the people of their value and importance to God the Father.
• The lack of love and concern marked out the religious teachers;
• Who seemed only concerned with their own welfare and comfort.
• SIXTHLY: And this is the most important;
• Notice it is stated in verse 31: “He spoke with authority”.
• The scribes & teachers of the law spoke FROM authority.
• But Jesus Christ spoke with authority.
ill:
• The scribes & teachers of the law:
• Would read the Old Testament scriptures and interpret them by saying;
• “Rabbi so & so, says that this passage means this and Rabbi so & so says that”.
• In fact they even prided themselves on never saying anything original!
• In contrast Jesus never quoted other Rabbi’s (other men);
• He simply said; “This is what it means” or “I say unto you”
• The scribes & teachers of the law spoke from opinion or tradition;
• Jesus spoke with a God-given authority.
Ill:
• Samuel Clement (better known by his alias Mark Twain);
• Attended a Sunday morning Church service.
• He met the pastor at the door afterward and told him;
• That he had a book at home with every word he had preached that morning.
• The minister assured him that the sermon was an original.
• Clement still held his position.
• The pastor wanted to see this book so Clement said he would send it over in the morning.
• When the preacher unwrapped it he found a dictionary.
• I the flyleaf was written this:
• "Words, just words, just words."
In contrast to the scribes, the message of Jesus was alive and authoritative:
• It was given to him direct by the living God,
• Quote: Oswald J. Smith.
“The world does not need sermons; it needs a message.
You can go to Bible college and learn how to preach sermons,
but you will have to go to God to get messages.”
Those people who took the time to listen to Jesus:
• Knew that he had a message from God.
• His words left them in verse 32 “Amazed”.
(2). Rebuking the demons (vs 33-37 & 41).
“In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice,
34 Ha! 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!
35 Be quiet! Jesus said sternly. Come out of him! Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.
36 All the people were amazed and said to each other, What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!
37 And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.
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 Christ.”
In the gospels Jesus often encountered people who were possessed:
• Although in these verses the possessed man only seems to shout at Jesus;
• Often a possessed person behaved in a way that was very unnatural;
• E.g. Cases in the gospels where an evil spirit caused an individual to become violent;
• E.g. In other cases an evil spirit caused the individual to experience aggressive fits.
• E.g. Other cases in the New Testament people spoke in totally different voices;
• E.g. Some individuals displayed powers of telepathy of clairvoyance.
Note: That in the gospels Jesus made a clear distinction:
• In the ancient world people often attributed mental illness as demon possession;
• Not Jesus!
• He made a clear distinction between demon-possession and physical & mental sickness.
• e.g. Matthew chapter 10 verses 1&8).
“He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness”.
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons”.
• So in the gospels Jesus made a clear distinction:
• Between demon-possession and physical & mental sickness.
The fact that we do not hear much regarding ‘evil spirits’ is due to our culture:
• Although cable TV it is shocking how many programmes are to do with the occult;
• The supernatural, contacting the dead, investigating ghosts etc.
• Ill: Talk Sport on a Saturday night has a programme lasting several hours devoted to it.
• We live in a world today that is fascinated by the unexplained.
• Often that means delving into the ‘spiritual’ side of life that the Bible warns us to keep well away from.
• Why because ‘they can’ (not always will) lead a person into dangerous territory!
• Yet when it comes to the Bible and demon possession;
• The same people would dismiss it and even mock it!
Ill:
• There’s a story of a university teacher who ridiculed anything to do with the supernatural.
• He particularly targeted Christians who were outspoken about their faith.
• To prove a point one day,
• The teacher took a Christian student to the classroom window,
• He pointed to the sky and said,
• “Look up into the sky. Can you see God up there?”
• “No.” the student replied.
• “That’s because there is no God.” Smirked the teacher, now go and sit down.
• As the student returned to his desk.
• And the teacher was making his way back up to the front of the classroom,
• The student turned to his classmates and said,
• “Look at the teacher’s head. Do you see a brain up there?”
• As one the class replied, “Nope.”
• So the student was able to say; “I guess that because there is no brain up there!”
Well, that story in ‘tongue in cheek’:
• The point I want to make is this;
• That there are spiritual forces at work in our world.
• Some people who open up their minds; maybe through a deep interest in the occult;
• Or through alternative religions or new age practices or mind altering drugs.
• Can open themselves up to ‘evil spirits’
• Which in the long term will cause them incredible problems.
Question: Scan the passage and look at what these verses tell us about ‘evil spirits’?
Answer: A number of things.
(First).
• Verse 33: ‘Evil spirits’ can possess people.
• Note: I would suggest you are in no danger from ‘evil spirits’ unless you choose to
• Open up your mind; maybe through a deep interest in the occult;
• Or through alternative religions or new age practices or mind altering drugs.
(Second).
• Verse 33: ‘Evil spirits’ need a body to carry out their wicked schemes.
• In the gospels we note that they can indwell both humans and animals.
(Third).
• Verse 33: Their very name ‘evil spirits’ tells us that they are harmful.
• They pollute and destroy those they indwell.
(Fourth).
• Verse 34 & 41 tell us;
• ‘Evil spirits’ know who Jesus is! They are aware of his deity.
(Fifth).
• Verses 35 7 41: Tells us that they will respond to the authority of Jesus Christ.
• So it must always be in his name & power that we defend ourselves!
(Sixth).
• Verse 35: They will depart when they are commanded to,
• But often in departing there can be a struggle.
• In Mark chapter 1 verse 26 when the demon exits the man;
• The man shrieks wildly, and is hurled to the ground suffering convulsions.
Let’s move on and quickly look at this simple story:
• Jesus had been invited into this synagogue to preach.
• It was customary to ask visiting rabbis to read the scriptures and teach.
• As he was preaching there was a terrible disturbance;
• A man possessed by an evil spirit started to cry out and disrupt the meeting.
• Verse 34 the demonic man addresses the Lord as ‘Jesus the Nazarene’.
• This was not derogatory,
• In fact the Lord used this title when he appeared to Saul of Tarsus (Acts 22:8)
• This was the common description by which Jesus was commonly known.
Notice:
• And although the demonic man was saying complimentary things about Jesus;
• Jesus did not need or want the compliments or acknowledgment of demons.
• So he commanded him to be quiet about his identity.
• And then ordered the demon to depart from the man.
• Verse 35 Jesus says to the demonic spirit “be muzzled”.
• And the demon obeyed the authority of Jesus and was quiet and then departed.
• The people who were gathered in the synagogue looked on and were “amazed” (verse 36)
• And as a result news quickly spread about Jesus all over the region of Galilee.
(3). Healing the sick (verses 38-39):
“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”.
We have just seen Jesus performing an amazing miracle in the synagogue:
• The synagogue was God’s house;
• This little story reminds us that Jesus’ ministry is not limited to holy places.
• He is able to demonstrate his authority and power;
• In an ordinary family home too.
• From the chaos and public arena of the synagogue.
• We see Jesus healing in a very quiet, isolated family situation.
Note:
• Both Matthew and Mark in their gospels tell us she had a ‘fever’.
• For Dr Luke that was not accurate enough; he records ‘she had a high fever’.
• In verse 39: Dr Luke uses another medical term;
• Which is simply translated into English as “He bent over her”.
• Dr Luke then simply records that Jesus ‘rebuked the fever’;
• Just like he had earlier rebuked the evil spirit.
• Verse 39 Straight away she was able to get up from her bed;
• Go into the kitchen and serve the Sabbath meal.
• The healing was not only sudden
• Just six words are used in the Greek text “He rebuked the fever, and it left her”.
• The healing was not only sudden but also complete;
• Notice Simon’s mother-in-law needed no recovery time to get her strength back etc.
Question: What happens when a miracle takes place?
Answer:
• People come looking for another one!
• And in verse 40 that is what happens.
• Mark in his gospel tells us (chapter 1 verse 33).
• “The whole town was gathered at the door”
• Mark tells us that Jesus healed them.
• Dr Luke obviously liked the fact that Jesus gave attention to his patients.
• He records for us in verse 40: That Jesus “Laid hands on each one”
• Matthew (chapter 8 verse 16) tells us that Jesus healed them with a word.
• Probably a simple command, apart from this we have no other details;
• Only they facts, they came diseased and left in good physical health.
• Ands a result the fame of Jesus soon spread;
• And more people came from all over to seek him out.
(4). Clearing the vision (verse 42-44).
“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 preach 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”.
Ill:
We easily suffer from the myopia of Alice in Alice in Wonderland:
• “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”
• “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the cat.
• “I don’t much care where,” said Alice.
• “Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the cat.
• “So long as I get somewhere,” Alice added as an afterthought.
• “Oh, you’re sure to do that,” said the cat, “if only you walk long enough.”
Jesus was never concerned about “getting somewhere”;
• He was a man of clear vision;
• He was always concerned about being in THE desired destination.
• And after having had compassion on all who came to see him.
• He was well aware that he needed time away.
• Time to clarify his vision,
• Time to pray and draw strength.
3 principles here:
(1). TIME ALONE FROM THE DEMANDS OF MINISTRY IS NEITHER SELFISH
NOR UNIMPORTANT.
• Ultimately a preacher cannot give out until he has taken in!
• I guess that is true for all of us as Christians.
• The biggest obstacle to my ministry is ACTIVITY!
• Which dominates my time and pushes out much needed time for prayer and reflection!
Quote: Mable Newcomber
“It is more important to know where you are going than to get there quickly.
Do not mistake activity for achievement”.
Ill:
• Think of the disciples fishing all night and casting nothing;
• But at the word of the Lord, they cast their nets and were unable to haul in the catch!
(2). OTHERS MAY NOT ALWAYS UNDERSTAND OUR NEED TO GET AWAY.
• As Christians we must not let other people set our boundaries for us.
• We must set them for ourselves.
• Time spent with the Lord;
• Will help us clarify the why and what and how of what we are doing.
Ill:
• There is a story of Albert Einstein on a train.
• Everyone is his car recognized him and knew who he was.
• Prior to the train leaving the station,
• The conductor made his routine inspection to ensure that each passenger had their tickets.
• The conductor noticed Einstein fumbling through his things, in his pockets, and papers.
• When the conductor reached him,
• Einstein admitted that he had lost his ticket and could not remember his stop!
• "That’s no problem Mr Einstein," the conductor replied, "we know who you are."
• Einstein responded,
• "I know who I am too, but I do not know where I am going!"
• Time spent with the Lord will help us clarify;
• The why and what and how of what we are doing & where we are going!
Quote: John Oxenham
“Not for one single day
Can I discern my way,
But this I surely know—
He who gives the day
Will show the way,
So I securely go”.
(3). WE MUST GUARD AGAINST A LIMITED SCOPE OF MINISTRY.
• The Lord had an effective healing ministry at Capernaum;
• He was popular and very, very successful.
• But he was aware that his father in heaven had bigger plans for him;
• He was prepared to move onto other places and so must we!
Ill:
• Phillip in Acts chapter 8.
• Successful evangelistic campaign going in Samaria.
• But God moved him into the desert (did not make sense!)
• But God had a plan, he was to speak to one man.
• But this one man would them take the gospel to Africa!
• But for that to happen Phillip had to guard against a limited scope of ministry.
