Following after Jesus #38

Today we look at Luke's account of Jesus' first time teaching in a Synagogue. Luke 4:

 31 And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. 33 And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 “Ha! 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.” 35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. 36 And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” 37 And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.

Notice just a couple of additions here to Mark's account. As Jesus is teaching, and people are astonished at how much authority Jesus spoke with, this man cries out - rudely interrupts Jesus. Note the way this first word is translated here: "Ha!' We would say: "Hey! Leave us alone!" In other words, Jesus had invaded their space. He was penetrating into deep spiritual territory, and as Satan and his demons always do, they arrogantly thought they were strong and in control. They also like to expose things people don't want anyone to know about. They thrive on fear and darkness.  But Jesus came to expose the darkness, and drive out fear. So He rebukes this group of demons and demands they come out. They stomp out like spoiled bullies, throwing the man down as they go.  Jesus showed them Who is really in charge, and that these demons were unwanted squatters in this man, in the synagogue, and in His presence. That's Who we need to come in and clean house - in our lives, in our churches, and in this world.