They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are– the Holy One of God!”
“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!”
The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching– and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him.”
News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee. As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
- Are we surprised at what Jesus does in our lives or are we expecting? Today, we have the testament of scripture and the Holy Spirit to teach us. The people who first saw Jesus heal were not expecting a teacher to do miracles like this. Thus they were amazed, or we can translate, “surprised.” May we expect the power of Jesus to be at work in our lives and not be caught off guard by it.
- To whom are you bringing your sick and demon-possessed? Come to Jesus first, not the self-help books.
- How do we see the kingdom of God at work in this passage? Jesus advances the kingdom through the power of his teaching and healing, not by loud proclamation that He is the Son of God. The testimony of the demons, though true, was out of place and the wrong timing.