Advent Devotional for Dec. 19
Friday, December 19 Luke 4:31-37
Even sicknesses testify to Jesus.
Jesus was a stunning teacher; his listeners were amazed listening to him, because he did not speak like other teachers, but “as one having authority.” By this, Luke means that the scribes and other teachers spoke like ones having second-hand knowledge of God, but Jesus spoke with a sort of first-hand power, a power borne of intimate knowledge of God and communion with the Father. This authority was further demonstrated in his healing. A demon-possessed man was listening to him teach, and during the sermon, the demon begins to cry out, “Let us alone! 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.” Jesus rebukes the demon and makes him leave the man, a feat which only cemented his reputation as “one having authority.”
The interesting thing about this story, though, is that even the demon testifies to who God really is. The demon gets it, sees clearly who this Jesus is and what his design is—the destruction of evil and sicknesses of all sorts. Even the demons testify to Jesus—and this demon testified while he was still in the man, before he was cast out, which must have been shocking to all who saw it. Now the flip side to Jesus having authority over demons and sicknesses is that there apparently must be times where he allows them to exist. After all, we all die, don’t we? If Jesus has authority to cast them out, then it is only by his authority that they remain.
What sicknesses remain in you? All of us are sick in some ways. None of us are in perfect physical health, much less mental or emotional health. Whether you are healed of your sickness or not (and I pray you are), allow me to introduce the idea that even if you are not healed, your sickness can still bring glory to God and point people to Jesus. Even your handicap, even your shortcoming can cry out about the goodness of Jesus, and point to that great day when all God’s children will be healed because we will know him fully.
Even sicknesses testify to Jesus.
Jesus was a stunning teacher; his listeners were amazed listening to him, because he did not speak like other teachers, but “as one having authority.” By this, Luke means that the scribes and other teachers spoke like ones having second-hand knowledge of God, but Jesus spoke with a sort of first-hand power, a power borne of intimate knowledge of God and communion with the Father. This authority was further demonstrated in his healing. A demon-possessed man was listening to him teach, and during the sermon, the demon begins to cry out, “Let us alone! 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.” Jesus rebukes the demon and makes him leave the man, a feat which only cemented his reputation as “one having authority.”
The interesting thing about this story, though, is that even the demon testifies to who God really is. The demon gets it, sees clearly who this Jesus is and what his design is—the destruction of evil and sicknesses of all sorts. Even the demons testify to Jesus—and this demon testified while he was still in the man, before he was cast out, which must have been shocking to all who saw it. Now the flip side to Jesus having authority over demons and sicknesses is that there apparently must be times where he allows them to exist. After all, we all die, don’t we? If Jesus has authority to cast them out, then it is only by his authority that they remain.
What sicknesses remain in you? All of us are sick in some ways. None of us are in perfect physical health, much less mental or emotional health. Whether you are healed of your sickness or not (and I pray you are), allow me to introduce the idea that even if you are not healed, your sickness can still bring glory to God and point people to Jesus. Even your handicap, even your shortcoming can cry out about the goodness of Jesus, and point to that great day when all God’s children will be healed because we will know him fully.
posted by Michael Jordan at 6:00 AM
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