Luke 4: 35-39
Some people only got power in Church. However, notice that the same power Jesus used in the synagogue to rebuke the demon-possessed in Luke 4:35, is the same power He employed on the home front in verse 38. We must not forget this truth – the same power that we feel so mightily during our Sunday morning meetings, we need to take home with us! Sometimes, we need it more at home than in church. We need to take church home with us. The same church-anointing is necessary outside of the temple precincts.
For me, one of the powerful lessons of Scripture is that our God is not temple-bound. In fact, perhaps He works more outside the temple than in the temple. He works in Israel and He works outside of Israel. He is at work in the Church of God and outside of the church He is also more aggressively at work. Even in our everyday, ordinary, mundane lives, we need to expect Him to work and to show up.
Our text informs us today that after this phenomenal exorcism in Luke 4:35, He arose and entered Simon’s house and there discovered how sick Simon’s mother-in-law was. As they interceded on her behalf, Luke then describes for us the unfolding of another sensational miracle, this time in the home. May we still see the necessity today as believers to make home visits in the care and cure of souls, like Jesus. Those who cannot come to the House of the Lord need us. Jesus still compels us to go. As we go miracles will transpire!
I find it of great significance how Luke the gospel narrator/physician describes the activity of Jesus in this healing episode. He revealingly declares “And He stood over her and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them” (v39). The fact that He stood over her and rebuked the fever arrested my attention. Matthew also informs us that He touched her hand (Matthew 8:15). He spoke over her words of healing and He touched her. May we learn today how to use the power of the Word and the power of touch. May we receive from Him the power to stand over every contrary condition that confronts us and overpower and subdue them in Jesus’ name.
The Word enlightens us that God confronted the primal elements of great disorder with powerful words and with the hovering of the divine Spirit and the “touch” of His breath. “. . . And darkness was upon the face of the deep and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters and God said, ‘Let there be light and there was light’” (Genesis 1:2,3). God spoke the word and with the “touch” of His breath “stood over” the disorder.
In like manner, Jesus restores order from disorder with strong words and a touch. We must remember that God breathes life into the human creature from the dust of the ground, creating “ha adam from Adamah” – Adam from the dust. That same Creator/God we proclaim as Redeemer, Savior, Healer. Taking authority from Him, somebody’s got to speak the Word! Use strong words and “stand over” some things like Jesus did. We declare to Satan; the blood of Jesus is against you. We command the sickness to leave and demons to be dislodged in Jesus’ Name. We stand over every evil force and element in Jesus’ name, rebuking demon and sickness. We use our God-given authority, speaking authoritatively in Jesus’ name, even at home and wherever ministry takes us.
Leroy V. Greenaway
Presiding Bishop – Northeast Region
