The Ministry of Jesus
Luke 4:31-44
1. The teaching of Jesus
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. Luke 4:31-32 (ESV)
Jesus’ authority in teaching probably relates to His direct explanation of a text as opposed to the endless quotes and allusions to other men by the teachers of the day.
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)
2. The works of Jesus
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. 38 And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. 39 And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them. 40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ. Luke 4:33-41 (ESV)
There is an overarching conflict between the idea of the demonic “unclean” spirit and Jesus who is anointed by the “Holy” Spirit.
8 . . . The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8 (ESV)
Jesus also had authority to rebuke sickness, a connection to sin and the corruption that comes from sin in general.
24 . . . And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. Luke 8:24 (ESV)
Jesus’ touch probably reveals personal care, a sign of blessing, a connection between Jesus and the one healed, and a sign of re-creation.
3. The commission of Jesus
42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, 43 but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” 44 And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea. Luke 4:42-44 (ESV)
Jesus’ commission is to spread the good news of the kingdom. Isaiah 9:6-7