Proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom (Luke 4c)

I must proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God

Luke 4:31-44

Key Verse 43

Luke wrote events on two towns, one in Nazareth and the other in Capernaum.  In Nazareth, his home town, Jesus quoted Isa 61:1-2 to tell them what Jesus had come for. Jesus received the Holy Spirit as the Messiah and God sent him to free the prisoners free and to set the oppressed free. Though this was the most explicit and direct revelation of the truth about Jesus, they rejected Jesus to be the coming Messiah. Their unbelief was deeply rooted in their knowledge of Jesus as the son of Joseph a carpenter. Jesus pointed out their unbelief and wasn’t able to do any miracles for them.

But in Capernaum, a neighboring town in Galilee, Jesus did many remarkable things. As the result the people of Capernaum became so happy with Jesus that they wanted to keep him with them for good.   What attracted them so much that they wanted to keep Jesus?  The essence of his work is the message of the good news of the kingdom of God. In today’ passage we like to find out that good news that Jesus brought to Capernaum through his works.  

1.    Jesus taught the people in Capernaum.—his words had authority(31-32)

Jesus left Nazareth and went to Capernaum. There in a synagogue on a Sabbath Jesus taught the words of God.  The people of Capernaum were so amazed at his teaching because his words had authority. I like to think about what it means that when it said that Jesus’ word had authority.

The word of God has three components;   Who God is, the covenant /promise between God and men, and his people, how people did or handled God’s promises/covenants. When they heard Jesus teaching, all these three things came upon their hearts with power and authority.

The full effects of the word of God came upon them with power and authority. Not only its truthfulness but also its demands were felt real.

Why did Jesus speak as the one who had authority?

·         All authority originates from God. So when one is fully with God in his will and purpose, God’s authority resides in him. It is because God is the creator and runs the history.
God sent Jesus, his only son as his own representative, in order to tell all the truth of salvation. What Jesus was going to do was exactly what God was going to do.  John 14:10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. It is the belief in God and his word that makes one’s word power and authority.

·         When one’s understanding of the truth of God is comprehensive and thorough, he can say with authority and power. He can assert and claim with certainty and deep conviction in his mind. He can demand without compromise regarding God’s covenants, promises, especially on prophecies.
One of a good example is in Rev.  
Revelation 22:18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. ¹⁹ And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.
John saw it all and believed firmly that what God revealed in the entire book of revelation shall come to pass and made the final remark in this way.

 In Jesus’ word there was a clarity and firmness. His words were saturated with certainty and surety. It was because Jesus was the Son of God and knew His father so well and was determined to obey His father God.

When we believe Him and when we know fully his power and authority, we can deliver his word in power.  When we fear something else other than God, we fail to carry the power and authority of his word.

2.    Jesus drove out demonic forces and evil spirits by his word (33-36)

As Jesus was ending his teaching, a demon possessed man noted the presence of Jesus. Out of its own accord, it came up to Jesus and shouted at the top of his voice

34 "Go away! 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!"

Here we can notice three things: first the evil spirit was shouting in such a loud voice. It was a demonstration of his power and force as an attempt to meet the challenges from Jesus’ power and authority. At the same time, he demanded Jesus to go away from him. If he was fearful of Jesus, then he simply could get away from Jesus. But instead the evil spirit was demanding Jesus to go away. It was a form of rebellion and challenge against the authority of Jesus. Second the evil spirit revealed the true identity of Jesus as the Holy one of God.  Actually no one in the temple knew the true identity of Jesus. To all of them Jesus was just like any one of them. The true identity of Jesus was hidden from them. It was quite clear that the evil spirit knew Jesus’ true identity, the Son of God and was gripped with fear of the Son of God Jesus.

As for demonic force, no men could do anything. Also even within the boundary of the synagogue, the forces of devil invaded and overwhelmed the minds of many with fear. His overwhelming forces could be perceived in his high voice, in his demand and in his out-right challenge against God’s purpose.

What did Jesus do?

35 "Be quiet!" Jesus said sternly. "Come out of him!"

Jesus sternly commanded him to be quite and told him to come out of the man. His voice was quite but firm and clear. Suddenly the evil spirit threw the man down and came out of him. He was not hurt and became well.  It was an amazing scene.  The onlookers were so amazed at this because they never saw such thing as this. Jesus spoke and the evil obeyed and the man became well.

There were many who suffered under evil forces. Yet no one could do anything about it. It was a constant source of fear and anxiety. 
MB has been involved with satanic cult that led her to murdering a man. She said that she killed many people since her age 13. Evil spirit and satanic forces are real. No men can handle such forces with human reasoning or persuasion. PSH, a famous star and producer, struggled with his addicting over 10 years. But he could not overcome it and eventually suffered death from it. .These examples tell us about the reality of evil spirit and demonic forces in our society. Such news as well as those who are acquainted with these people suffer greatly under fatalism and helplessness under the power of evil.

Even with best psychology and humanism could not do much about them. Simply men have no remedy over such evil spirits. But here Jesus openly demonstrated the power over evil spirit and satanic forces..

But in Jesus’ command the devil left him and he became right. In their own eyes they saw the defeat of evil forces and the freedom that Jesus gave to this man. But all the fear and anxiety was immediately gone. So what did the people say?

36 All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!"

All those who saw this became keenly aware that Jesus’ word had power and authority even against a demonic force.  The overwhelming power of God worked on the hearts of those who saw this. The outcome of this power was noted in this way:

37 And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.

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What happened that day in the synagogue spread mouth to mouth and the entire town’s people came to know Jesus’ power and authority, esp. in his word.

Later that power was revealed in and through the faith of his followers as we see in Acts.

Acts 16:18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her. (Act16:16-18)

The message that ‘Jesus can and will drive away all evil and demoniac forces’ is shall be the essential part of the Gospel of today. Jesus is the only one who overcame the power of Satan. The Satan will be eventually destroyed by God.

3.    Jesus healed Peter’s Mother in law by rebuking the fever. (38-39)

Soon after he left the synagogue, some of his followers asked Jesus to come see a woman. It was Simon’s mother in law. This happened before Jesus called Simon to be his disciples. She was very sick with a high fever. How could they ask Jesus to come to see her? They heard Jesus’ word in the synagogue and saw what Jesus did to the demon possessed man. But they did not see Jesus healing anyone. Also they just began to be acquainted with Jesus. But they dared to ask Jesus to come by. Their intention was clear; they wanted Jesus to heal this woman. Who were they that asked Jesus to come and heal this woman? It was not likely Simon since he did not pay attention to Jesus’ teaching at all as we note in ch 5. Could it be John or his brother? We do not know who. But one thing was clear; it was a daring belief that Jesus could and would heal the sickness of man, though these people had never seen Jesus do such things before.

As soon as Jesus got to her house, Jesus bent over her and rebuked the fever. It is a very interesting because Jesus rebuked the fever as if the fever was a living personality.  Jesus healed her by his word and the word was something of rebuke. Rebuke is a word of condemnation or chastisement on the wrong or ungodly behavior of someone. Here is a strong assumption that she was suffering from a high fever and that fever has personality. Who might it be? This is implicitly implying that this fever was caused by evil or satanic forces.  In this command was Jesus’ compassion for her and his strong will to bring justice to her. What happened to her? She got up at once and she began to wait on him.

This was the first healing Jesus did in the Gospel of Luke. There were few men who heard Jesus word, saw Jesus’ power in driving out evil forces and put their faith in Jesus.  In their initiative Jesus healed the mother in law of Simon.

What did it mean to Peter?

Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

(I believe that this healing made a great impact on Simon’s decision of faith when Jesus called him, which we will learn next week.) 

4.    Jesus healed many and drove out demons out of many. (40-41)

As that Sabbath sun was setting down from horizon, many came to the door of the house where Jesus stayed. It is more than possible that it was at the house of Simon.  They all brought many with various sicknesses. Some suffered from diarrhea, skin sores, respiration illnesses, and heart problems, so on. Jesus had power and authority in his word and in his power and authority he could heal all kinds of sicknesses. This was their belief. So, many were brought to Jesus. What did Jesus do? Jesus laid his hand on each of them and healed them all, no matter what kind of diseases they had.  Many came through the door with various sicknesses and they all went home healthy with big smile and happiness.  How could this be possible?

Jesus had authority and power to heal any diseases. He had will and compassion for every single of them though they did not express or demonstrate any goodness in them. His love and compassion was open wide and all-out giving. It was his deep compassion for all sinners who lived in suffering. It was a full demonstration of the power of God in Him.

In addition, Jesus rebuked many demons and they came out of many.  This went on and on hours. Many came through the door under the power of demon. But all of them went home free from that power.

After all what do these things tell us about Jesus?  We can note two things:

Previously Jesus rebuked the high fever and healed Simon’s mother in law, a one person. Here Jesus healed so many people with various diseases. It says that Jesus healed all that came to him and freed many who came with demon possession. This tells us that Jesus can and will heal all kind of sickness that men have. Also Jesus can and will free men from all demonic forces of this age.

How could this be possible if he was just a mere man? Through these powers and authorities, Jesus demonstrated who he was.  He was the Son of God, the Messiah who would and could save his people. Out of great fear and anxiety, demons called him, the holy one of God, or the Son of God.  Jesus rebuked them and did not allow them to speak. But through this it is clear that Jesus is truly the Son of God who has all authority in God’s truth, over sickness, and over the forces of Satan. He literally demonstrated that he was the Messiah, the savior. 

5.     I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also (42-44)

So many people of Capernaum tasted the power of the truth in his word, they tasted the power of healing, and they felt freedom from the bondage of demonic forces.  Jesus saves; this was true and real for these people. It was not an idea but a real presence of the power of God in offering grace and freedom from all bondages of sins.

So the people of Capernaum were fully convinced of Jesus’ power and authority. So they came together and decided to support Jesus fully and to keep him as their lord. This was a remarkable decision and totally different from the reaction of the people of Nazareth. But the next morning they could not find Jesus. Even those few who kept their eyes on Jesus very closely did not know where Jesus went. Jesus suddenly disappeared and no one knew. So, many went out to look for Jesus. But they could not. Where did Jesus go?

V42 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.

Jesus went out all by himself to a solitary place. In Mark, it says that Jesus went out to pray in a solitary place. It seems clear that Jesus went out to seek God’s will or to pray. What might be the things that Jesus was troubled about? Why did he fell such a need to seek God in prayer?

V43. But he said, "I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent."

Before we proceed with its meaning, it is good to explore what Jesus mean when he said ‘good news of the kingdom of God’. As we noted just before, Jesus did three things; teaching, healing and driving out demons. But there was no ‘mention of proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God’.   Here on all the works that Jesus did to the town Capernaum, Jesus called it, ‘the good news of the kingdom of God’

·         It is good news; the good news is about undoing of all that we are suffering under; the sickness, forces of demon and ignorance of the truth of God.  The people of the town of Capernaum felt so good and free because Jesus freed them all from such bondage of sin; extreme joy overwhelmed their hearts. In such great joy they wanted to keep Jesus with them for good. When one knows and tastes fully the good news of the kingdom of God, he come to realize that it is what he wishes for as the ultimate solution or resolution of his life. So finding it  and living in it is an ultimate experience of life in its goodness and fullness of joy. So no one would not let it go! We want to keep Jesus forever with us!

·         This good news is about the kingdom of God; The life that they experienced through Jesus’ work is a foretaste of the life in the kingdom of God. Jesus made offer of the kingdom of God in this preview. It is to have the hope and to see a glimpse of life in God’s kingdom. In this kingdom, God is the king and we become God’s people. When God is king, we shall not suffer from any sicknesses and from any evil spirits or demons. Our knowledge will be so good knowing fully who God is, what the truth is, and what is good. 

Jesus must proclaim this good news to other towns also. I like to look back a little on what Jesus did in the town of Nazareth. Because of unbelief, Jesus did not or could not do anything. But this town, Capernaum, was blessed so much and they heard the truth, saw the healings and tasted the power of God in the king Jesus. In addition the peace and freedom from all bondages of sins flooded their hearts.
But there are many towns like this awaiting for such relief from Jesus. So Jesus had to do this to many other towns. Jesus had compassion for the entire nation Israel, not just the town of Capernaum!  It was God’ given mission. Also how can let so many in other towns suffer under the same predicament as the people of Capernaum? So he must do it.  Jesus’ mind was compelled not only by His father‘s will but also by his compassion and love for sinners that he healed in the town of Capernaum.

So what did he do?

V44. And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

He went to the many towns of Judea and proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God.

Conclusion:

Nazareth failed to see and taste all these things because of their unbelief but the town Capernaum came to face directly the power and love of God that would be fully upon his children in God’s kingdom.  What happened in Capernaum was an offer of this kingdom and glimpse of look or little tasting of the kingdom of God; it is an invitation of all to his real kingdom of God; Jesus has come to bring this good news as the Son of God, as the King of the kingdom of God. The mainstay of this delivery was through his word; through his words we can know the truth, taste the power of healing, and learn the power over demonic forces. In Christ we are offered to these victories that lead us to His kingdom.

Note on 4:14-44

In this section, Luke described Jesus’ experiences in two towns, Nazareth and Capernaum. These two different responses of Nazareth and Capernaum are to serve as the examples or samples of the responses of the people for the rest of Jesus’ teaching ministry in Galilee and Judea. This becomes evident when we read in vv14-15 and v44 and see that from ch 5 actual calling of disciples and healing of people begins. Also the events in Nazareth and then in Capernaum fit more chronologically sound before Jesus’ calling of disciples.  (cf. Mark 1:14-45 and Matt4:12-25)