All In A Day’s Work
Luke 4:31-44
Introduction
Some people talk about being a morning person. Others say they are more of an afternoon person or an evening person. Some see themselves as a night person. After reading Luke 4:31-44, it seems as if Jesus was all four. This leads to our theme for today as we look at one day in the life of Jesus. For him, it was All in a Day’s Work. Let us learn from this that Jesus was…
A morning person (vs.31-37)
A scene in the synagogue
Capernaum on the northwest shore of Galilee was Jesus’ home for about two years. One day he is with a group of people at worship like this. While Jesus is teaching, someone shouts out with a loud voice: “Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are. You are the Holy One of God!” (v34). Jesus knows this is demonic and he rebukes the evil spirit. He says in v35, “Be quiet… come out of him!” The demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.
Authority and power
Verse 36 says, “All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!” Authority is the right to tell people what to do; power is to see that they do it. Jesus had both. Little wonder that the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area” (v37). There is something going on here that we need to be aware of…
A spiritual struggle with the enemy
Ephesians 6:12 says our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. We should be aware of this in church, at home, at work, and in our community. At the same time, however, we should thank God that Colossians 2:9-10 says that in Christ, all the fullness of God lives in bodily form, and we are complete in him, who is the head over all power and authority. For Jesus, this was all in a day’s work, and it leads to the next part of his day…
An afternoon person (vs.38-39)
A need for healing
After the drama at the synagogue, Simon Peter invites Jesus home. Here, Simon’s mother-in-law is suffering from a high fever. There are fevers and there are high fevers, and it takes Doctor Luke to note the difference. The interesting thing is that they did not call a doctor to help… they called a builder. Verse 38 says, they asked Jesus to help.
Jesus rebukes the fever
Jesus rebukes the fever in the same way he rebuked the demon in v35. Both are enemies of God and his people. Verse 39 says, “Jesus rebuked the fever and it left her.” The healing was instant and complete. She got up at once and began to serve them.
Healing in a fallen world
Sickness is part of our world, and it teaches us that there is something better. Jesus has the power to heal all sickness, and one day he will do so because he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
At Peter’s home, there has been little time to digest the events of the day or the lunch provided by his mother-in-law. As dusk approached the Sabbath ended, and people started to gather outside. This leads to the next part of a day in the life of Jesus. As well as being a morning person and an afternoon person, Jesus is…
An evening person (vs.40-41)
People flock to Jesus
Word had spread about what happened in the synagogue and in Simon’s house, and v40 says when the sun was setting, people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness. Laying hands on each one, Jesus healed them. At the same time, demons came out of many people (v41).
Jesus is the Messiah
As the demons came out, they shouted out: “You are the Son of God!” Using the same word as in v35 and v39, Jesus rebuked them and would not allow them to speak. They knew he was the Messiah, but it was too early for this revelation. Jesus had to go to Jerusalem to be tried and executed. Later, his accusers tried to arrest him, but John 7:30 says, “No one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come.”
Do not give up on doing good
Throughout his ministry, some were opposed to Jesus, and demons were agitated. Some, however, responded positively to Jesus and their lives were changed. We can be discouraged when people oppose our message but if we persevere, some may believe and be changed. This is why Galatians 6:9 says, “Do not be weary in doing good… you will reap a harvest if you do not give up.” If we do this, like Jesus, we will have lots to do, and it could lead to a final part in a day’s work…
A night person (vs.42-44)
Time to reflect
It had been a busy day for Jesus. As he went to sleep, he would have reflected on the events of the day. This is what it means to be a night person. If you are a night person, however, v42 may also be true. It says, “At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place.” He went to be alone with God, and to reflect on his life and calling.
Keeping hold of Jesus
Jesus wasn’t alone for long. Verse 42 says, “The people went looking for him and when they found him, they tried to stop him from leaving.” This is in contrast to those in Nazareth. His response is clear. He says in v43, “I must share the good news of the kingdom of God with others.” His ministry could not be localised. He is the saviour of the world and not just for those in Capernaum.
Taking the message further
Through his followers, the message of Jesus would eventually reach the world. This is why Matthew 28:19-20 says, “As you go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age.” There is nothing more exciting than to share our faith with others and to see them responding and becoming better people.
Bernard Cartledge