Luke 4:14-44 The Highest Priority

Luke 4:14-15 Jesus began teaching in the synagogues in Galilee in the power of the Holy Spirit. Word got around fast.

Luke 4:16-30 Jesus came to Nazareth and preached in the synagogue. He read from the scroll of Isaiah 61:1-2, but he stopped, just short of proclaiming the day of God's vengeance. He proclaimed the anointing of The Lord to set captives free. No doubt the Jews were anxiously awaiting the coming of Messiah, to free them from bondage to the Romans. But that was not Jesus' purpose. Since they were all speaking well of Him, it seems as though He was poking them in the eye, with references to two specific instances when God sent prophets to Gentiles. Elijah was sent to a widow in Zarepheth, which belonged to Sidon, where his presence enabled God to supernaturally feed her during the famine, and then to raise her son from the dead. (I Kings 17:9-24)  A little girl who was captured by the Syrians led Naaman to Elisha, who healed him of leprosy even though Syria was a gentile nation that was frequently at war with Israel.

         Why did Jesus bring these two examples up? How was this linked to the lack of respect He received in His own hometown? Perhaps no direct connection, but it highlights the Jews' lack of understanding of God's purposes and ways. He wants to save all people, not just Jews. And He chooses to show His power and grace through the humble Son of a carpenter. Perhaps the Jews were expecting another leader like Judas Maccabeas. Jesus tried to set them straight.

Luke 4:31-37 Jesus comes to Capernaum, taught in the synagogue, and cast an unclean demon out of a man. The demon knew who Jesus was. Jesus told him to be quiet. The crowd was amazed because they had never seen this kind of authority before. Word got around some more.

Luke 4:38-39 Jesus heals Simon's mother-in-law. Evidently Jesus was at Simon's house, although later narrative (Luke 5:4) implies Simon was not yet a disciple. So although this was not Jesus' first miracle, it seems to have initiated a chain reaction, as is evident in the next few verses. 

Luke 4:40-41 Evidently, beginning at sunset, everybody from the local area showed up at Simon's house, and Jesus stayed up all night, healing and casting out demons. It must have been both physically and spiritually demanding. Jesus healed them all. A picture of what is possible in the kingdom of God. If we are willing to pay the price of an all-night prayer service.

Luke 4:42-44 Jesus went to recharge His spiritual batteries at daybreak, in prayer. He knew that His relationship with the Father was paramount, even more important than His ministry. The crowds eventually found Him and wanted Him to stay there. It doesn't seem that they were drawn to His message, but the healings. Jesus knew this risk and later explicitly rebuked people for following Him because of the natural blessings that He would bring (John 6:26-27). And so when we see the miracles, we should not discount them as indicators of God's love and care, but we must always keep in mind that relationship with the Father must be our highest priority. Even when that relationship does not bring blessings in the natural world.