Jesus Drives Out Evil and Heals Many

Prayer Practice: 

Lectio – Read today’s passage through once. Then spend some time praying and asking God to show you what you need to pay attention to in the text. Read it again. Now ask God to help you see what this text, and the part that has stood out, may mean for you. Don’t expect to get a clear word every time but always be ready to really hear from God through His Word.

Daily Reading: Luke 4:31-44

Devotional:
by Pastor Jeff Morlock

Words are potent. They have power to uplift or discourage. They have power to heal or destroy (the old “sticks and stones” adage notwithstanding). A torrent of words pours forth from mass media and from every political platform and soap box. Words move people to buy and sell, to hate and to love. They can depress, distort, and deceive, poisoning the springs of our common life. Hence need to be careful about what we hear and what we say.

Which brings us to the Word of God. Do you hear it with selective submission or with the full faith and obedience? Jesus spoke God’s Word as no one had spoken it before. The prophets spoke with delegated authority – “Thus says the Lord.” The Scribes and Pharisees leaned on supporting quotes from other sources, often punctuating their teaching with question marks. Jesus’ teaching was punctuated by exclamation points and needed no human authorization, for he was authority incarnate - the Word of God made flesh. 

When Jesus spoke, it was God’s voice the people heard. At his command, sickness and disease fled, for the Spirit of the Lord was on him to set the oppressed free. Even evil spirits obeyed. And if even demons believe in the Son of God, how much more can we trust his Word and receive it expectantly, with engaged minds? How much more can we eagerly submit to his wise counsel, in the knowledge that his Word always does what it says, and accomplishes every purpose for which he sends it?

In what way has God’s Word (spoken, written, or incarnate) been calling you to yield or obey lately? In what way has the Word encouraged you or set you free?

Lord, your word is power and life. Help me to obey your teaching and to never doubt  the ability of your promises to save, heal, and restore. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Jesus Drives out Evil and Heals Many

Prayer Practice

Lectio – Read today’s passage through once. Then spend some time praying and asking God to show you what you need to pay attention to in the text. Read it again. Now ask God to help you see what this text, and the part that has stood out, may mean for you. Don’t expect to get a clear word every time but always be ready to really hear from God through His Word.

Daily Reading

 Luke 4:31-44

Devotional

Precious Solitary Prayer

by Judy Webb

Do you think Jesus was ever asked the question, “How are you?” Would he have responded with, “Busy, so very busy.”

While this response most certainly would be true, given how much he squeezed into his three short years of ministry, I doubt he thought of himself as busy. More likely he knew he was doing what needed to be done. There was much to accomplish, so many folks to touch and to heal. And yet, Jesus seems to have left a mark everywhere he went.

He didn’t dodge the hard stuff either. People were sick, some were dying, and he went to them. He healed and then he cast out demons. Actually, demon possession was often what he healed people from, evil was as real then as it is now.

When Jesus encountered a demon possessed person, the demon recognized Jesus and often called him, “Son of God,” or “Jesus of Nazareth.” Satan knows Jesus is real and he fears him. So, back to the question, “How are you,” busy would be accurate, but Jesus managed this. Luke 4:42 says, “At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving.” This solitary place was where Jesus spent some quiet time with God. It was this daily practice that enable him to keep up the pace.

I would like to think that Jesus cried out to his Father much like you and I do when the burdens of the day become overwhelming. He was human. He certainly struggled with some of the same emotions and physical limitations we do. He found rest and refreshment when he ventured to the solitary place.

Closing reflection

Mark 5:16 says, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Is this part of your routine? When life gets the better of you, do you withdraw to a lonely place to pray? If it was good enough for Jesus…