The Power and Compassion of Jesus
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Luke 4:38-44
Jesus had just healed the man in the synagogue by casting out the demons that held him captive.
In doing so, Jesus clearly demonstrated His power over evil.
Now we see Jesus move from the public setting of the synagogue to the private setting of Peter’s home.
This shows us that he cared not just for the crowds, but for the individuals who followed Him
We see Jesus’ compassion and power in this passage, and I hope that it will challenge each of us to trust Him in our lives more.
First let’s see:
I. The Power of Jesus in Healing
I. The Power of Jesus in Healing
38 And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.
39 And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.
Jesus didn’t just have power over demonic forces, but also our own hurts and sickness.
We see first off here:
A. The Desperation of the Sick
A. The Desperation of the Sick
Peter’s mother-in-law was “taken with a great fever”.
we may glance over that, but in this time, especially this would most likely be a life threatening disease.
It must have been very serious situation.
She could not help herself, but relied on the intercession of others.
Peter must have received word that Jesus was in town.
I don’t believe that peter was a disciple yet.
I believe that Peter would have met Jesus earlier when his brother Andrew introduced him to Jesus early on.
40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
Peter’s call after the miracle of him catching many fish is in the next chapter.
There are many that don’t agree with this time line, stating that the gospels are not always in chronological order…but I believe this makes the most sense.
So Peter has been introduced to Jesus at some point, hears him preaching in the synagogue, and possibly even sees him cast out the demon from the man.
Then comes to him as he leaves and invites Jesus to his home to heal his mother-in-law.
Either way, there was a desperate situation here.
Just as Peter and others “besought’ Jesus on her behalf, we are called to intercede for those who are spiritually or physically unwell.
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
We prayed for Carol Harmon’s daughter for weeks and now she is cancer free.
I remember a lady in California in our church who was diagnosed with cancer, and being told she only had months to live.
She came and asked to be prayed for.
The pastor anointed her with oil and we gathered around her at the alter and prayed for her.
The cancer went away.
The doctors were stunned.
But it was an answer of prayer — based on this lady’s faith.
We need to have faith enough to come to Jesus - and bring others to Him for healing.
So Jesus seeing the situation took charge.
B. The Command of the Savior
B. The Command of the Savior
39 And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.
Here we see Jesus “rebuked the fever”.
The word rebuke is the same word used when rebuking the demons in verse 35 above.
Jesus doesn’t just have power over the spiritual realm, but over the physical as well.
We see that in Psalm 103:3 also
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases;
God uses doctors every day to heal people.
He gives them the knowledge and technology to do their job.
Whether they realize it or not.
But there is not many doctors who stands there and command the sickness to go away!
But the one who created that body can heal it!
I love how that after she is healed, she gets up and begins to serve them.
C. The Restoration of the Healed
C. The Restoration of the Healed
“…and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.”
The healing was instantaneous and so was her service.
She sounds like my mother-in-law - always looking for a way to help.
We, who have been healed, ought to follow her example as well!
We are called to work for Him—but the good news is it’s not us…it’s Him working through us!
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
I used to have a hammer here in my desk drawer in my office.
one day I was using it and the head flew off the handle.
Praise the Lord no one was hurt!
But I stuck in my drawer, and thought, “I’ll look at it later.”
Some time later I needed a hammer, I pulled it out of my drawer and thought, you know…if I screw a screw into the top of that handle it might just pull that wood out enough to hold the head on.
And sure enough it worked.
And I used it for a couple of years until I broke the whole handle completely.
But it was a tool that was useless the way I found it…but it soon was restored to usefulness.
God has designed us for a particular job…are we busy doing what God has made us for?
If you need healing—Go to God and ask for it…then get busy for the Lord again!
II. The Compassion of Jesus for the Multitudes
II. The Compassion of Jesus for the Multitudes
40 Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.
41 And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.
It was getting later in the day…the sun was setting, but others had begun to hear about Jesus’ power (vs.37—the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about.)
So people begin to bring Jesus all their sick.
I love what the Bible says here, “…and he laid hands on every one of them, and healed them.”
This shows…
A. Jesus’ Personal Touch
A. Jesus’ Personal Touch
Jesus healed each and every one of them individually, laying His hands on them.
They were sick from many diverse diseases, but that didn’t stop Jesus in His compassion to make a personal touch.
The world was awwed, and fell in love with Princess Diana in the late 80s and early 90s when she visited children’s hospitals where the children had AIDS and held their hands, and allowed them to sit on her lap.
Most people would only come close to one of the children if they were wearing gloves and gowns, at that time.
But Princess Diana’s compassion shed light on the truth about children suffering from this disease.
We are touched by such compassion.
Don’t lose sight of this that has happened here!
The King of Kings went through and made the personal touch with each and every one of them.
Jesus cares about us personally!
And we need to emulate His compassion to the world around us!
Not only do we see Jesus’ personal touch, but we also see once again…
B. Jesus’ Authority Over Demons
B. Jesus’ Authority Over Demons
41 And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.
The devils once again recognized Him…”Thou art Christ the Son of God…”
But he silenced them, once again showing He was in charge!
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
He has all authority over spiritual darkness, reminding us that He is greater than any force of evil!
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
We need not fear the dark forces of evil…God is in control!
Even if God did allow them to harm our bodies…they can never touch our souls!
So we see the Power and Compassion of Jesus on display…now let’s see in the next few verses…
III. The Priority of Jesus’ Mission
III. The Priority of Jesus’ Mission
42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them.
43 And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.
44 And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.
Jesus spent all night helping and healing.
The sun was setting in verse 40 when He began to heal…now he is come to a desert place to be alone as the sun comes up in the morning.
But the people sought for Him, found Him and “stayed Him” or kept him there that he wouldn’t leave.
First we see…
A. Jesus’ Resolve to Continue
A. Jesus’ Resolve to Continue
42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them.
Jesus sought solitude, whether for sleep or for prayer as we seem Him do many times in the gospels.
But the crowd tried to keep Him from leaving.
As we Follow His Steps - We need to not miss this moment!
Jesus needed to pull apart form His ministry to reset physically and spiritually.
We need to prioritize rest and our time alone with God.
Even in the midst of our pressing demands.
I was just talking to someone the other day about computers and electronics.
It’s important for the life of the electronics to turn it off from time to time.
Even machines need rest.
What makes us think we don’t?
Even our phones need to be plugged back into the power source
What makes us think we don’t need to get plugged back into ours?
But Jesus resolved to keep going forward.
We see…
B. Jesus’ Responsibility to Obey
B. Jesus’ Responsibility to Obey
43 And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.
44 And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.
Jesus emphasized His obedience to God the Father in going where He was sent.
We see Jesus was faithful…
1. To Go
1. To Go
“…to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.”
Jesus’ mission required Him to move beyond Capernaum.
He was widely accepted here in Capernaum.
They flocked to Him there!
Other places, they will not accept Him as readily.
This demonstrates that obedience to God often leads us beyond our comfort zones.
Are you going where God wants you to go?
2. To Preach
2. To Preach
“…I must preach the Kingdom of God to other cities also…And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.”
Jesus prioritized preaching the Kingdom of God as His central task.
Jesus gave sight
Jesus healed deaf ears
Jesus made the lame to walk
Jesus cast out demons
Jesus Healed all kinds of disorders and diseases
But Jesus’ number one priority when the people besought Him was… “I must preach the kingdom of God…”
While meeting physical needs is vital, obedience to God’s call and sharing His message must remain our highest priority.
I go to my doctor and I have a giant stab wound in my side that is bleeding profusely, but I say, “Oh can you look at this rash on my back too?”
He’s going to tell me…tell you what Let’s take care of this more important thing first…then if we have time we’ll look at this rash.
The preaching of the Word of God is God’s priority!
In our churches,
the songs are wonderful and important!
The fellowship is needful
The choir special is beautiful
The giving is necessary
But nothing is as important as the preaching of God’s Word!
We see Jesus’ power, his compassion and His Priority!
Conclusion
Conclusion
As we close to go home today I want to ask you, Are you trusting Jesus for both His power to address your needs and His compassion to care for your soul?
Are you bringing your burdens and the needs of others to Jesus in prayer faithfully?
Are you serving with gratitude like Peter’s mother-in-law?
Are you prioritizing spiritual growth through time with God and sharing His message?
They say that there are more lighthouses around the costs of the Great Lakes than there are on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts combined.
Lighthouses play an important role in both guidance and safety!
Jesus is our lighthouse— powerful enough to save us and compassionate enough to care for us.
Whether you need healing, hope or a renewed commitment to His mission…turn to Jesus today!
He is willing and able to meet your every need!
