Why We Follow Jesus

What do we seek?

Today’s Gospel is set in Capernaum on the day of the Sabbath. Jesus had a support base here with two Disciples, Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, calling this place home. With friends nearby, this city will become Jesus’ Galilean home and the staging point for part of His ministry.

So… our story begins with Jesus preaching and teaching. Many times, scripture shows us how our Lord taught people… He used examples from scripture, often stating that the passage was talking about Him. He used parables by combining everyday examples to explain hard-to-understand concepts and make them simpler to comprehend.

It was, and still is, the practice of rabbis to teach through the authority of other noteworthy teachers of the law and use THEIR examples, THEIR knowledge, and wisdom to explain what scripture meant. Rabbis did not teach by their own understanding but by the authority and understanding of others.

Today, we might look at this as ONLY using stories from Martin Luther and Melancthon and only their examples to talk about scripture.

Scripture repeatedly gives examples of Jesus reading with authority. In Luke 4:17-21, Jesus reads a scroll of Isaiah 61:1-2 and says, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” and the people are amazed. Not because of His age, or His knowledge, but because of His authority.

Jesus did not exhibit learning, yet He KNEW and UNDERSTOOD scripture! He spoke differently than anyone else they had EVER come in contact with. Jesus was different!

What made Jesus stand out even more in the synagogue was when a man approached Jesus. Luke says the man had an unclean demon (Lk 4: 33). Unclean demon? Is there another kind of demon? The man said to Jesus, “Have you come to destroy us?” Wait, who are the “us”?

Although a few questions don’t seem to have answers, there are a few apparent things. First, the demon recognized who Jesus was. Second, the demon recognized the power that Jesus possessed. Third, when Jesus says to be silent and get out, that’s exactly what the demon did… proving that Jesus had authority.

But why did Jesus command the demon not to reveal His identity? Jesus wanted people to grow awareness of who He was because of what He said and did, not because of what a demon said. Jesus also had a different timetable and was unwilling to allow an adversarial spirit to speak out of turn, of who Jesus was, or what He could do.

Healing Peter’s Mother-in-law’s

When Jesus left the synagogue, He arrived at Peter’s home, where his mother-in-law was sick. Matthew, Mark, and Luke mention that she has a fever. Often, a fever may indicate something much worse than a simple cold.

Seeing her, Jesus rebukes the fever. In other words, He SPEAKS to the fever, He ORDERS it, and it departs immediately! The texts tell us that she rose and began to serve, showing the traditional Jewish acts of hospitality that are so common.

It must be a miraculous and complete healing to allow a woman who is so sick… that she is unable to get out of bed… and yet… here she is, healed so completely that she can leave her bed and take care of her visitors.

Sabbath Ends

Sometime later, the Sabbath ended roughly around 6:00 pm. During the sabbath, any form of work was forbidden. The end of the Sabbath ended the restrictions and allowed people to roam freely and take care of chores. It was also when people could work to carry their loved ones to seek healing. And many people did just that.

There was an avalanche of people coming to the house. Sick people, diseased people, demon-possessed people… the WHOLE CITY was gathered at this one house.

A short time has passed since Jesus entered town. Yet, He’s made a significant impression on the people. Many wanted to see what ELSE Jesus could do.

Some, of course, were seeking healing for themselves, their family, or friends. Others were likely coming to see the sights of this unknown rabbi who could do amazing things. What magic trick would He do next?

Some sought Jesus’ compassion to heal people who were desperate to feel better. Others sought the service of an exorcist to get rid of demons that plagued their bodies. But, I think it’s safe to say… all wanted to hear the words and witness the authority of this unusual rabbi.

What does the world seek?

Let's take a break from Capernaum for just a moment and the chaos of many dozens, perhaps hundreds, of people gathering in the front yard of a house all SEEKING JESUS.

Think about the world around us today. What does the modern world seek?

Many in the world around us have gotten away from THE WORD RELIGION and instead seek after something called SPIRITUALITY, yet this idea does not involve seeking God. They are not seeking THE TRUTH. Instead, they’re seeking affirmation and validation of THEIR TRUTH.