Day 121: What people wanted from Jesus - Luke 4 vs 31 - 44

31-32 Jesus went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority.

33-34 And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, “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. 36-37 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!” And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.

38-39 And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.

40-41 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ. 42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them. 43-44 But he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea. (Revised Standard Version)

All of the gospels describe encounters Jesus had with people who were possessed by demonic spirits. In modern society and 'first-world countries' many people scoff at this, but those who've travelled in Africa or Asia will have seen such things for themselves. What do vs 33-34 and vs 40-41 show about these demonic spirits?

They recognised and knew who Jesus really was. These servants of Satan acknowledged immediately that Jesus was the Holy one of God, the Messiah. How sad it is that demons see what so many people don't. But the impact on those who saw Jesus in action was that they were amazed at His power and authority. (vs 36-37) Not only over demonic spirits, but over illnesses as well. (vs 38-39)

How did this shape the people's expectations of Jesus? What were they wanting from Him? (vs 40-42)

It's clear that they liked the idea of having someone around to 'fight their demons' and cure all their sicknesses. But what does the answer Jesus gave them in vs 43-44 tell us about His priorities? (See also 31-32).

Notice, Jesus didn't say that there were 'lot's of other sick folk who needed healing' – but that He needed ‘to preach the good news of God's Kingdom in other towns too’. His emphasis was on teaching. The healing of people underlined the authority God had given Him, but they were not the main focus.

What are our expectations of Jesus? Sadly, many people only show interest in God when they are in big trouble and hope Jesus can get them out of the tight spot they are in. But Jesus didn't come to merely cure our hangups – He came to show us the glory and greatness and awesome love of God. He came to teach about a Kingdom where God is the ruler in the hearts and lives of men and women. Indeed, He came to break the power of Satan over the lives of men and women. Is that what Jesus is to you today?