Luke 4 31-44
EPIPHANY 4
JANUARY 28, 2007
Luke 4:31–44
By Whose Authority?
Introduction: As the psalmist prays to God, “Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress” (v 3), we understand the awesome authority God has for our good. In last Sunday’s Gospel, the Third Sunday after the Epiphany, Jesus stood in the synagogue of Nazareth and read from the prophet Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Lk 4:18–19). As Jesus sat down to teach, he began with these startling words: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (v 21). In today’s Gospel, Luke immediately shows Jesus fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah. Our Gospel lesson for today reveals Jesus authority. With authority, Jesus liberates a man from an unclean spirit (vv 33–35). With authority, Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law from a fever (vv 38–39). With authority Jesus heals the sick from various diseases (v 40). Jesus proclaims “good news to the poor . . . [and] liberty to the captives”
Today our gospel lesson reveals Jesus authority. But what is authority? Have you seen the popular television program called Super Nanny? The Super Nanny gets called into action by parents of a household out-of-control. The problems almost always boil down to the fact that the parents exercised woefully inadequate authority over their children. The children talked back to their parents, ignored what the parents said, and generally demanded their own selfish ways with their parents and siblings. It was the Super Nanny’s job to teach and train the parents to regain control and exercise firm and loving authority over their children to raise them responsibly. After some intensive training from the Super Nanny, the parents always—at least on television—did regain their role and exercise their authority, bringing about stability and joy once more to the home.
In real life, it’s not always so simple. “Who said you could borrow the car? Who gave you the authority to make that decision? Who do you think you are to approve that purchase?” Even in the Church, there is constant discussion about who has the authority to do this or that, and discussions can at times become quite contentious.
The question was even asked about Jesus: By whose authority did he say and do the things he said and did? What was his authority all about? He was frequently challenged about both the things he said and the things he did. But by His Word, Jesus showed His divine authority, His power and His control over all of creation and over humans and all that inflicts evil upon us.
Jesus showed authority over demons. Demons are real beings. They are Satan’s servants who brutally took over the lives of many people (v 33). They understood Jesus’ divinity and his mission (vv 34, 41). Demons are no match for Jesus. Jesus didn’t beg the demons to leave; he ordered them out. When He did so, they left (vv 35, 41)! Those people that were formerly possessed returned to normal lives. The people immediately recognized the authority of Jesus in expelling the demons. Jesus has the power and the control and the desire to free us from the torments of hell, sin and death. Jesus’ authority extends not merely over one or two demons, but over all of Satan’s hosts. Sometimes people question who is really in charge in the chaos of our world. Is God in charge or is Satan? We must never make the mistake of thinking God is not in control. Even as He allows evil to inflict pain upon us, we can be sure that He, in the end will use this affliction to bring us closer to Hi in this life. And ultimately, God brings us to eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ. After all it was through the evil of the cross, and the death of God’s Son, that God has delivered us to new and eternal life.
Jesus showed authority over illness. Jesus had authority to heal the sick. Peter’s mother-in-law was cured of a high fever. That evening, a parade of local people was healed of “various diseases” (v 40). Jesus exercised his healing authority. By his powerful word (v 39), he rebuked the fever. By his personal loving care with his hand of compassion, he healed all that came to Him(v 40).
Jesus showed authority in his message. Jesus’ authority over demons and illnesses of all kinds is only part of his broader authority: his message, his teaching, and his mission for coming to earth. It was Jesus’ authoritative teaching that first caught the attention of those in Capernaum (vv 31–32). It was his logos, “the word” (v 36), that enabled his miracles and caught the attention of the crowds. Jesus is the Word made flesh (cf. Jn 1:14). He came into our broken world to help us, whether we are troubled by demons, AIDS, cancer, finances, hurricanes, or fire. He came into our sin-filled world that the Holy One of God might bear the iniquity of us all on the cross. He gives us the Good News of personal forgiveness and new life forever with Him in heaven.
Conclusion: Now we—you and I—are proclaiming Good News in the cities of America and far beyond. By what authority do we do this? It is the authority of Jesus, who said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. . . . And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt 28:18–20).
As your pastor, I am authorized by God, given His authority, to assure repentant sinners of his Good News. What is that good news? For the sake of Jesus Christ and His death on the cross: “I forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” We are all authorized and encouraged to tell our hurting neighbors and desperate family members that in the name of Jesus, there is hope and pardon and life for for us all![i]
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[i] Rev. Lloyd J. Strelow, DMin, emeritus, Hemet, California